NAIBA Fall Trade Show Preview

The New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association (NAIBA) Fall Trade Show will be held on Sunday and Monday, October 13 - 14, at the Philadelphia Marriott. "Build a Better Bookstore" is the theme of this year's show, and a full day of educational programming on Sunday will help booksellers do just that. In addition, on Monday, more than 350 publishers will be represented on the trade show floor, which is open from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eileen Dengler, executive director of NAIBA, explained, "We are back in Philadelphia, after two years in Washington, D.C., and are excited to be in a central location for all the booksellers in the region.

"Last year we experimented with a one-day trade show, preceded by one full day of workshops, social events, and the lunch and moveable feast. The schedule worked great, and many people were happy not to have to commit to more than two days away from the store/home, so we are continuing with that format."

Educational programming, which is sponsored by Random House, Inc., begins with three concurrent workshops from 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., on Sunday, October 13. At "Blueprint for Book Groups" booksellers will explore ways to organize book clubs and to meet their needs, and, at the same time, increase the store's bottom line beyond club purchases. "Pick-of-the-Lists: Adult Titles" will feature reps from publishing houses and independent groups who will share their excitement for the top titles from their lists. (A workshop featuring reps' picks of top children's titles will take place later in the day, from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.) And at the interactive workshop "Sidelines Show and Tell," booksellers will share favorite, successful non-book items. [This workshop] "is always fun and informative, with everyone sharing names of their favorite vendors and how they merchandise," said Dengler.

What is expected to be a lively Book & Author Luncheon, from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m., on Sunday, will feature both adult and children's book writers. Pam Munoz Ryan and Brian Selznick (When Marian Sang, Scholastic), David Wiesner (The Three Pigs, Clarion), Mark Bowden (Finders Keepers, Grove Atlantic), Joe Queenan (Malcontents, Running Press), Brian Haig (The Kingmaker, Warner Books), and Alice McDermott (Child of My Heart, Farrar, Straus and Giroux) are the scheduled speakers. Each attendee will receive a tote bag with autographed copies of the featured books. A ticket is required. The lunch is sponsored by Baker & Taylor.

Educational sessions continue in the afternoon, from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. At "Building a Great Children's Section," two expert children's booksellers will share their title selections, category leaders, and tips on displays and organizing the section. Professionals with experience in valuing and selling businesses, and booksellers who have been involved in the process of selling their stores, will explore the many issues involved in developing an exit strategy at ABA's "Succession Planning" session. And "Better Book Buying" is the title and goal of the third session in this time period. Everything from advanced prep work to merchandising ideas will be covered.

From 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., booksellers will have the choice of four concurrent workshops. "Co-Op Goldmines" will show booksellers how to request publisher co-op monies, which can allow booksellers to increase their marketing exposure while adding money to their bottom line.

George and Sedena Cappannelli, authors of Say YES to Change (F&W Publications), will offer practical advice to help booksellers experience change and adapt to it. The session is entitled "Be Prepared for Anything." Dengler explained that "this workshop seems to have hit a nerve with booksellers, since they have been facing many unexpected challenges in stores lately."

ABA Senior Marketing Consultant Carl Lennertz presents "Why Book Sense is More Vital Than Ever," which will demonstrate this marketing program's potential boon to a bookstore's bottom line. The session will review some key Book Sense benefits, from increased sales to author attention, from access to reading copies to the huge potential of the gift certificate, from bestseller list power to finding and keeping new customers. "Pick-of-the-Lists -- Children's Titles" will also be presented at this time.

Ingram Book Company is sponsoring a complimentary Opening Reception on the trade show floor, from 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. Booksellers will have the opportunity to preview displays, mingle with publishers, greet old friends and make new ones, while getting an advance peek at the hot titles and product offerings.

The day concludes with a Movable Dinner Feast, beginning at 7:30 p.m., sponsored by HarperCollins. This event features 20 authors, who will rotate among the dinner tables, chatting with booksellers. Between courses, NAIBA members will introduce the authors and their books. (For a list of participating authors, see the NAIBA Conference Brochure at http://www.naiba.com/pubs/46.pdf.) Each dinner guest receives a tote bag of autographed books. A ticket is required.

Other sponsors of refreshments, tote bags, and other aspects of the show include the University of Pennsylvania Press, Running Press, and Koen Book Distributors.

At the trade show, which is open on Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., more than 350 publishers will be represented at 250 tabletop displays. The ABA booth will feature demonstrations of the new Book Buyer's Handbook online and Book Sense Bestseller list reporting options.

The autographing area will include almost 100 authors. A full list, with autographing times and brief book descriptions, will be available on the NAIBA Web site later this month.

NAIBA's Annual Meeting will be at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, and will include the introduction of new officers and board members. Representatives from ABA and ABFFE will update booksellers on their activities on behalf of booksellers.

Titles featured in the NAIBA Holiday Catalog will be on display on the trade show floor, both in publishers' booths as well as in a freestanding catalog display. The entire display will be part of a silent auction, with the proceeds going directly to ABFFE.

"The most important thing about coming to the NAIBA trade show, any show for that matter, is the chance to get out of the store and get a fresh perspective of the business. There are so many people to meet and new ideas to hear; everyone who comes to the NAIBA trade show leaves rejuvenated and enthusiastic," Dengler concluded.

For more information about NAIBA's educational programming and the trade show, visit http://www.naiba.com/trade_show.cfm or contact the association at (877) 866-2422; fax 516-333-0689; or e-mail info@naiba.com.