Forum Tour to Wrap Up in Massachusetts

On Wednesday, April 26, American Booksellers Association CEO Avin Mark Domnitz and COO Oren Teicher will be at the Westford Regency Hotel & Conference Center in Westford, Massachusetts, for a Booksellers Forum and Education Program to be held in conjunction with New England Booksellers Association (NEBA) meetings. The forum and education program, the last of this year's 2006 Winter/Spring schedule, is free and open to all ABA and NEBA bookstore members -- owners and staff.

The day's events kick off at 10:00 a.m. with the New England Children's Booksellers Association (NECBA) meeting. The meeting is open to any NEBA member who is interested in children's bookselling. Those who wish to attend the NECBA meeting should RSVP to Nan Sorenson at nan@neba.org.

ABA programming will start at 2:00 p.m. with the seminar "Handselling: Customer Service With Results." Handselling is the key customer service strategy differentiating independent bookstores from other competitors. At this session, booksellers will learn how to use, or improve, their handselling strategies to grow a store's reputation, energize staff, and increase sales. The focus will be on attracting and training good handsellers, integrating handselling into marketing efforts, and ensuring that customers walk away with a unique and positive shopping experience.

Following the seminar, at 4:15 p.m., Domnitz and Teicher will provide an update on ABA programs and initiatives at the Booksellers Forum. Participants will have also the opportunity to ask questions and share ideas and suggestions. The format of the forum encourages the discussion of national as well as regional issues affecting independent booksellers. Over the years, these forums have provided ABA with very constructive member input that has been indispensable in shaping future programs and initiatives.

The day's events will conclude with an ABA Wine & Cheese Reception from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

To help ABA make arrangements for the forum program, booksellers who are planning to attend are asked to contact Margaret Petrie at margaret@bookweb.org or (800) 637-0037, ext. 6614.