72(+) Hours in NYC

A Suggested Itinerary for Getting the Most Out of BEA, ABA, and NYC

“I look out the window and I see the lights and the skyline and the people on the street rushing around looking for action, love, and the world's greatest chocolate chip cookie, and my heart does a little dance.” ― Nora Ephron, Heartburn

“New York, just like I pictured it.” ― Stevie Wonder, Living in the City

The First 24: Monday, June 4

Welcome! ABA is shaking up its BookExpo America Day of Education [1] — sponsored once again this year by the Ingram Content Group — to focus on networking and the sharing of ideas. (And I’m not talking recipes for chocolate chip cookies…)

9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.: The ABA Booksellers (members-only) Lounge is open for business! We’re in our usual spot in the E Corridor — Room 1E07/08 — with the usual comfy couches, tables for meetings, “healthy” snacks, computer and charging stations, and ABA staffers as your hosts and tour guides. We’ll have a few guests in the lounge this year — representatives from the National Association of College Stores (NACS), PartnerShip, LIBRIS, W.G. Ellerkamp, and the Espresso Book Machine will be on hand. And Carl Lennertz, executive director of World Book Night U.S. [2], will be camping out in the lounge as he begins recruiting for next year’s event!

11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.: For independent booksellers, the 2012 BEA dance begins mid-morning with the ABA opening plenary, “Why Indies Matter,” [3] with journalist and author Lynn Sherr interviewing prize-winning author Rick Russo. (Room E14/15/16.)

What a great kickoff for a new video campaign of the same name in which booksellers take out their smartphones and mini-video cameras and ask authors and customers visiting their stores Why Indies Matter to them. More about that later!

12:15 p.m.: Time for sustenance. Check out the food court, or my favorite fast food spot, the hot dog vendor on 34^th Street and 11^th  Avenue. (I’ve run into many long-lost colleagues there!) We’ll meet back in 1E14/15/16 at 1:30 for a truly only-in-New York general session, “Indies International: Bookselling in Other Countries.” [4]

1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.: I suspect most of you are like me when traveling — find the nearest indie bookstore right away and get your bearings. ABA CEO Oren Teicher, a world-class traveler on behalf of ABA and vice president of the International Booksellers Federation, has made many industry friends throughout the world doing just that. In “Indies International: Bookselling in Other Countries,” Oren will discuss the challenges of bookselling with industry experts from the U.K., France, and Germany.

2:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Have a question about bookselling? Then ask a bookseller, at one at one of these roundtables: “Creating and Managing Community Connections,” “Increasing Online Sales,” “Buying and Selling Non-Book Inventory,” and “Buyers.”

2:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Let’s just say it right here: Selling can be lots of fun! But not everyone is a master salesperson. That takes instinct, yes, but also skill. Sales powerhouse Chris Zane, owner of Zane’s Cycles [5], the largest retail bicycle shop in the country,  together with two stellar booksellers, will help you hone your skills in “Putting the ‘Sell’ in Bookselling.” (Room 1E13)

4:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.: Everyone loves the BEA Editors Buzz [6]. ABA programming will end in time for you to get yourself to this annual preview into editors’ favorite new titles, moderated this year by indie bookseller and ABA Board member John Evans, owner of DIESEL, A Bookstore [7]! (Room 1E14/15/16).

Evening: Enjoy all that NYC has to offer, including a huge variety of independent bookstores [8].  No need to wait for an organized cash mob to visit a fellow indie! And for those of you who like it a little different, check out these Off-the-Beaten-Path suggestions [9]. See you in the morning!

The Second 24: Tuesday, June 5

8:00 a.m.: The ABA Booksellers Lounge opens early today although we do close at 3:00 p.m. so that booksellers can come to the ABA Town Hall and Annual Membership Meeting; there will be treats!

9:00 a.m.: The trade show floor opens! That lovely feeling of having Javits to yourself on Monday, of not waiting in line for coffee or hot food, gives way to feeling like you’re one of a very, very large crowd. Everyone of whom wants that same such coffee!

10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: IndieCommerce users will meet in Room 1C03.  Talk amongst yourselves.

12:15 p.m. to 1:45 p.m.: Big news! Most of the winners of the 2012 Indies Choice Book Awards and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards [10] will be attending the Celebration of Bookselling Author Awards Luncheon [11]. The luncheon is “totally committed” but if you’d like to get on the waiting list, e-mail ABA Development Mark Nichols [12] or come to the Special Events Hall that day and ask at the door to be seated. No guarantees, but we’ll do our best to accommodate.

2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: The “indies love authors and vice versa” fest continues at an awards winners meet and greet, and book signing, in the ABA Booksellers Lounge,1E07/08, immediately following the Luncheon.

ABA will be videotaping every award winner’s response to “Why Indies Matter,” and after BEA we will edit and post the clips to a brand-spanking new YouTube channel. All booksellers are encouraged to videotape their own customers and visiting authors and upload them there as well. See whyindiesmatter.com [13] for details and suggestions on creating the videos. Then spread the word about the YouTube channel — and about why indeed indies matter — in your newsletters, e-mails, via Facebook and Twitter, and over the backyard fence!

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Come one, come all, to Room 1E12/13 for the ABA Town Hall meeting [14], where the floor and the mike are yours. (Sign up to speak in the ABA Booksellers Lounge beforehand.) Ask ABA President Becky Anderson and Vice President Steve Bercu about anything on your mind, or make a comment or observation.

4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.: ABA’s Annual Meeting takes place right after the Town Hall. ABA reviews the past year and previews what is to come. (And did I say there would be treats?) Room 1E12/13.

The Final Third (+): Wednesday, June 6

8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: The ABA Booksellers Lounge is open for the entire day. Think of the members-only Lounge as your home away from home, a calm within the storm, an oasis of sanity, or just as a place to put up your feet. (Sorry, but NACS isn’t bringing their foot massagers this year. Their 500 bars of chocolate will have to do….)

Children’s bookselling gets top billing today, all day, at the first ever — and sold out! — ABC Children’s Institute. [15]

8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.: The first event of the day is the BEA Children’s Breakfast, and if you registered for the Institute, stop at the Welcome Desk just outside the Breakfast in the Special Events Hall, and pick up your welcome bag, registration bracelet, and surprise goodies. Be sure to stop by registration between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 am! If you’re in the Lounge on Monday or Tuesday, you can also pick up your registration materials there. Ask for Terri. (No walk-up requests to attend, please. There is limited space and it’s all accounted for.)

10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.: The Children’s Institute [15] is jam-packed with sessions and special events, featuring 34 indie fave authors and illustrators. But don’t worry, you will be well fed along the way. The always-interesting and informative Kelly Gallagher from Bowker presents industry data at 10:00 a.m.; followed by the BEA Middle Grade Buzz at 11:00; followed by the Speed Dating Lunch With Children’s Authors at 12:15; followed by educational sessions at 2:00; followed by the ABA/CBC Tea With Children’s Authors and Illustrators at 3:30; followed by more sessions and roundtables at 5:00; followed by the Annual Children’s Art Auction and Reception at 6:00! (I’m exhausted. Nap, please.)

9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: Sneak away when you can to the South Concourse to preview the fantastic art that will be auctioned later. Although the institute is sold out, tickets are available for the auction, which benefits ABFFE [16] and its efforts against censorship in children’s books.

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.: Meet you at the Annual Children’s Art Auction and Reception on the South Concourse. This event is addicting, and luckily enough, tax deductible!

Goodnight stars, goodnight air, goodnight booksellers everywhere.

The Plus More: Thursday, June 7

8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.: As long as the trade show floor is open so, too, will be the ABA Booksellers Lounge.  (Those couches are starting to look like home.) Please stop by before you leave and let us know how the show went for you, what you’d like to see done differently, what you’d like to see repeated, or anything at all. We’ll be tired and perhaps a little wan, but plenty exhilarated, so take a seat and let’s have a chat. (And the last of the candy bars!)

And don’t forget, we have another great event coming up in February 2013: the Winter Institute in Kansas City.

From all of us at ABA, safe travels, and see you soon in NYC!

Best,

Meg Smith [17]
ABA Membership and Marketing Officer