ABA Forum to Be Held at PNBA Spring Show

The American Booksellers Association's 2007 Winter/Spring Booksellers Forum tour will travel to Portland, Oregon, in March. The Booksellers Forum and the education session "Participating in the Digital Revolution" will be offered as part of the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Spring Show [1]'s day of education on Thursday, March 15, at the Holiday Inn, Portland Airport [2].

[3]All members of PNBA and ABA are invited to participate in the free ABA programs, which will be led by ABA President Russ Lawrence of Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton, Montana, and ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz.

Everyday the news is rife with stories about how technology is changing the way people interact and especially about how they acquire and consume information. "Participating in the Digital Revolution," presented by Domnitz from 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. on Thursday, will explore such phenomena as digitization of content, social networking, and open source and distributed computing and their effect on independent booksellers now and in the future. Participants will hear about the latest developments in the technosphere and will learn how they can remain plugged in.

ABA's "Booksellers Forum & Strategic Planning Session," from 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., is where booksellers will get the latest updates on the association's program and initiatives. Participants will also have an opportunity to voice concerns and to offer input on the future direction of ABA, which is currently formulating its next five-year strategic plan. The forum format fosters discussion of regional and national issues affecting independent booksellers, and ABA encourages all bookstore owners and staff to attend. The Booksellers Forum program can help provide a broader perspective on how individual stores fit into the larger industry, provide valuable information, and serve as an opportunity to meet and talk with fellow booksellers.

PNBA will be presenting education sessions throughout the day on Thursday, ranging from "The Basics of Buying Strategies" and "Cash Flow Management for Retail Booksellers" to "Employee/Employer Relations: Hiring & Problem Solving" and "Success From the Sidelines." For information about all of PNBA's education sessions, its Friday and Saturday Book & Author Breakfasts, the Friday Book Awards Banquet, the show exhibits, and more, visit www.pnba.org [3]. Questions about the PNBA Spring Show should be addressed to info@pnba.org [4].

For planning purposes, ABA asks booksellers who will be attending the forum and/or the "Digital Revolution" program to contact Margaret Nafz at margaret@bookweb.org [5] or (800) 637-0037, ext. 6614, Booksellers are also invited to contact Lawrence [6] and Domnitz [7] prior to the forum with questions, suggestions, or comments.