Second Forum in the Pacific Northwest in March

The American Booksellers Association's Booksellers Forum Tour will return to the Pacific Northwest with a forum and educational programming, held in conjunction with the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA) Spring Show, which runs from March 16 to 18 at the Hilton Hotel, Seattle Airport. All members of PNBA and ABA -- owners and staff -- are welcome to participate in the free program. (This season's first forum in the PNBA region is being held Saturday, February 25, in Portland, Oregon.)

ABA's forum program format encourages discussion of regional as well as national issues affecting independent booksellers. In addition, ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz, Director of Membership Marketing Meg Smith, and Board Vice President Russ Lawrence of Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton, Montana, will provide an update on the association's many programs and initiatives. Over the years, these forums have provided member input that has been indispensable in shaping future programming.

In addition to the ABA forum and educational programs, the PNBA Spring Show offers a mix of sessions and events, including "Wake-Up Yoga" with George Carrol; a "Lunch Session Keynote Address" by Pete Fromm, author of As Cool As I Am (Picador); Thursday evening's "Chili Feed and Warehouse Tour" and "Decadent Desserts Autographing Party"; a Book & Author Breakfast on Friday and on Saturday morning; and the "PNBA 2006 Book Awards Banquet," followed by the "Book Awards Author Autographing" on Friday evening. (At press time, the PNBA schedule was tentative and subject to change.)

On Thursday morning, events begin at 9:00 a.m. with three concurrent booksellers workshops, including the ABA educational session, "Know Your Customers: Increase Sales," presented by Smith. According to Gartner Research, businesses "that fail to establish strong relationships with their customers will see their position eroded by up to 20 percent per year." In this session, booksellers will learn how individual contact, surveys, market research, and use of the bookstore database can combine to form an effective strategy for communicating with customers. Effective communication is essential to identify and achieve objectives that will grow a business and make a store more profitable.

Following Lunch and the Keynote Address, afternoon sessions will kick off at 1:15 p.m. with three concurrent sessions, including ABA's "Improving Efficiency to Increase Sales," presented by Domnitz. This 90-minute seminar will show booksellers how to use their time more effectively, make their staff more productive, and implement efficiencies throughout the store. Intended for owners and senior staff of bookstores of all sizes, the session will focus on how to streamline routine functions so that more time and energy can be devoted to achieving the goals booksellers have set for their stores.

From 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, ABA will hold the Bookseller Forum, a venue to ask questions, express opinions, and share concerns with bookseller colleagues. Domnitz, Smith, and Lawrence will answer questions and discuss many issues of concern to independent booksellers. Following the forum will be PNBA's General Membership Meeting.

To adequately plan for handouts, lunches, and room assignments, ABA asks booksellers to contact Margaret Petrie at margaret@bookweb.org or (800) 637-0037, ext. 6614, if they plan to attend. Booksellers are encouraged to contact ABA staff prior to the show with questions, suggestions, or comments. General questions and requests for information about the ABA/PNBA Bookseller Forum should be directed to Petrie.

Questions and requests for information about PNBA may be directed to the PNBA office at (541) 683-4363, info@pnba.org, or visit http://www.pnba.org/.