Upstate & Upbeat: NAIBA Trunk Show a Hit

On Wednesday, June 20, the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association (NAIBA) held its third Trunk Show, in as many years, at the Holiday Inn Carrier Circle in East Syracuse, New York. The Trunk Show, a kind of informal, joint "frontlist appointment," was created as a way to provide local booksellers with the opportunity to meet with publishers' sales reps in person and to hear about upcoming titles. A second Trunk Show is scheduled for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on July 10.

Rob Stahl, a NAIBA board member and general book manager of Colgate Bookstore in Hamilton, New York, was decidedly happy with yesterday's event. Some 22 publishers and 20 bookstores attended the event. "It was fantastic -- a great show," he said. "I spent most of my day writing orders, and everybody seemed very pleased. I think we now have a tradition here."

The Trunk Show featured formal catalog presentations by major publishers, along with display tables from a variety of publishers, wholesalers, and independent rep groups. The presentations were held in four different rooms from 9:15 a.m. - 12:45 p.m., while the afternoon was devoted to appointments, visits to publishers' tables, and placing orders. Said Stahl, "It's all about writing orders.... The fall lists [from participating publishers] all look pretty strong."

NAIBA will hold a second Trunk Show on Tuesday, July 10, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where it will be joined by the Great Lakes Bookseller Association. Information and sign-up information is available via the NAIBA website.