Groups and Associations
All the main players in the book industry--booksellers, publishers, wholesalers,
distributors, authors, and agents--are represented by groups or associations
on a national and sometimes regional level. The importance of these organizations
lies in the sharing of trade information. Each organization has its own publications,
conferences, and member representation. Some of the organizations work together,
sharing ideas, and collaborating or cooperating on projects. Literacy initiatives,
First Amendment issues, and campaigns to promote reading are among the common
concerns that have generated cooperation and industry-wide campaigns.
Members get out of the trade association what they put into it. Although many
booksellers and others in the industry are already over-committed in their own
businesses, those who do find the time to become involved consistently find
that their time is well-spent. They reap personal and professional rewards and,
in the process, often learn new ways to look at their own businesses.
There are plenty of opportunities to get involved in the book community, and
we encourage you and your bookstore colleagues to take advantage of them. The
book trade is a sociable environment and, despite competition among booksellers
and among publishers, you will find that most members of the book community
are more than willing to share opinions, experiences, and information.
The American Booksellers Association
The most important association for booksellers is the American Booksellers
Association or ABA.
American Booksellers Association, Inc.
828 S. Broadway
Tarrytown, NY 10591
(800) 637-0037, (914) 591-2665
Fax: (914)-591-2720
E-mail: [email protected]
URL: www.bookweb.org
CEO: Avin Mark Domnitz
The ABA was founded on November 15, 1900, to represent the interests of the
retail booksellers of America. A Board of Directors, composed of booksellers
from across the United States, is responsible for developing policy, allocating
resources, and reviewing the effectiveness of the effort. The Board hires a
Chief Executive Officer who, in turn, hires a staff that is responsible for
implementing programs and carrying out the policies set by the Board.
In October 1997, the ABA Board adopted a new strategic plan. It defined ABA's
core member as "the independent bookstore with a store front location which
is operated by professional independent booksellers according to sound business
principles."
The strategic plan also contains ABA's vision statements:
"Vision for the Independent Bookselling Industry in the Year 2002:
Independent professional booksellers are skilled retail business people
who are a vibrant, influential force in a diverse marketplace, economy and society.
They are recognized as a vital link between authors, readers, publishers and
the community.
"Vision for ABA in the Year 2002: ABA is a strategically managed
national trade association that meets the needs of its members by dedicating
its resources and staff to the following services in a spirit of openness:
"1. Advocacy: ABA serves as the national collective voice for independent
professional booksellers. It acts as a vigilant and active advocate for legal
trade practices, lobbies on First Amendment issues and legislation important
to its members, advocates beneficial and fair practices which are not in conflict
with antitrust laws, and supports programs encouraging book buying, literacy,
reading, intellectual freedom, arts and literature.
"2. Partnerships and alliances: ABA engages in partnerships with regional
and other bookseller organizations that are based on mutual respect and a spirit
of open communication. These partnerships build on regional and other booksellers
associations' knowledge and ABA's national presence and resources. ABA also
participates in partnerships, strategic alliances and dialogues with publishers,
wholesalers and other interest groups when there is shared interest in pursuing
mutually beneficial initiatives.
"3. Education, training and skills development: ABA provides access
to competitive retail and business skills in various ways using the most effective
methods and technologies available.
"4. Research: ABA collects, analyzes, disseminates and provides immediate
access to timely information that is critical to the success of professional
independent booksellers. ABA is an important information resource for the entire
book industry.
"5. Systems and software development: ABA facilitates the development
and standardization of systems and forms, customer database information, financial
and operational software support, and actively aids in booksellers' transition
to emerging technologies.
"6. Business support services: ABA facilitates access to services such
as business insurance, 401-K plans, capital providers, financial advisors and
other services that are essential to booksellers.
"7. New business models: ABA facilitates development of feasibility
studies, pilot projects and prototypes that help to incubate new competitive
models for its members."
Exercise 38
With your owner or manager, review the services and programs offered by the
ABA that are used by your bookstore. Then log onto www.bookweb.org
to see if there are other benefits of membership that could be useful in your
store. Review your list with your owner or manager.
Suggestions
- Take advantage of ABA-supplied display materials.
- Look into business insurance through ABA's provider.
Exercise 39
Locate at least two of the following ABA publications in your store. How are
they used? Can you think of ways you might personally make use of these publications
in furthering your commitment to being a professional bookseller?
Bookselling This Week
ABA Book Buyer's Handbook
Manual on Bookselling
ABA Open Learning Study Series books
ABACUS Expanded
Regional Booksellers Associations
In recent years, Regional Booksellers Associations have become important, providing
services and local connections to members. Though not formally affiliated with
the ABA, regionals do interact with the national organization. Regionals vary
greatly in terms of size of membership, geographic scope, scale of activity,
and form of organization. A complete listing of Regional Booksellers Associations
can be found at http://www.bookweb.org/orgs/286.html.
Exercise 40
Does your store belong to a regional association? Which one? Ask your owner
or manager to tell you why he or she thinks belonging to a regional association
is worthwhile. List the reasons. Can you think of other reasons not mentioned
by your manager or owner?
Other Associations and Alliances
There are a wide variety of key groups and professional associations that serve
our colleagues in the book business, including the Authors League of America,
Association of Literary Agents, and Association of American Publishers. A list
can be found at www.bookweb.org/orgs/1322.html.
Most of the groups have website links from BookWeb, where you can find out more
about each organization's membership and purpose.
Exercise 41
Taking into account the industry-wide challenges we identified earlier--copyright
law, literacy concerns, and First Amendment protection--consider which of these
concerns are shared by the various trade groups and associations listed on BookWeb.
How would these concerns affect the members of each organization? In what ways
might trade groups work together to allay common concerns?
Trade Press
News and informational publications for the book business take printed and
electronic form. In this section, we will focus on news resources of importance
to booksellers.
Bookselling This Week
A weekly publication of the American Booksellers Association, with a focus
on bookselling news and information. BTW also aims to keep readers up
to date with industry news, issues and events, as well as publishers' changing
terms and special offers. BTW provides timely listings of television,
radio, and other media appearances by authors, forthcoming book reviews in major
newspapers, and tie-in books for upcoming movies. A subscription to BTW
is included in ABA membership. ABA members can also access bookselling news
on-line at
ABA Flash
In order to provide essential information to booksellers in the most timely
and efficient way, ABA sends e-mails containing important book industry news.
If you would like to receive ABA Flash, send an e-mail request to [email protected].
BookWeb (www.bookweb.org)
ABA's trade website is designed to provide members with knowledge, timely news,
and a forum for exchanging ideas. BookWeb also contains a listing of ABA bookstores,
which is used by many consumers and is linked to other sites.
Publishers Weekly
The international news magazine of book publishing, PW features news
and articles on books and the book business. Every issue contains news of interest
to booksellers, as well as reviews of forthcoming books, rights news, bestseller
lists, trends, and author interviews. An online version of PW can also
be accessed at http://www.bookwire.com/pw/pw.html.
PW Daily for Booksellers
Available via e-mail, PW Daily includes industry news, highlights from
consumer reviews, and occasional teasers from articles and interviews to appear
in the coming Publishers Weekly magazine. PW Daily is free to
booksellers; you can subscribe at http://lists.cahners1.com/pwdaily/pw_subscribe.asp.
Exercise 42
To which of the trade publications mentioned does your bookstore subscribe?
Does your store receive any other newsletters or trade journals? Choose two
of the publications you receive to review in depth. Note the articles or departments
in each publication that are particularly helpful or interesting to you.
Exercise 43
Explore www.bookweb.org. What sections of this sites are most useful
to you? Under what circumstances would you look for web-based information? When
would you prefer to read printed news or information?
Book Trade Events
Trade associations sponsor and participate in trade shows, conventions, and
fairs. These events offer exhibits, educational sessions, and a chance to make
personal contacts with others in the industry.
BookExpo America
BookExpo America (BEA) is the largest English-language trade book fair in the
world. Cosponsored by ABA and AAP, BookExpo is home to the annual ABA Convention,
which includes educational panels, A Celebration of Bookselling, an annual town
meeting, and the Association's annual membership meeting.
On the trade show floor, the wealth of titles and authors featured by exhibiting
publishers give booksellers a preview of the coming season and help them plan
events and promotions. Other reasons for booksellers to attend BookExpo America
include: the chance to see sidelines and other items that may fit the image
and enhance sales in your store; the opportunity to meet publishing contacts
face to face; and the ability to network with and learn from other booksellers.
You can learn more about BookExpo America at http://bookexpo.reedexpo.com/.
Exercise 44
Using the trade publications and other resources you have learned about, find
out the dates and location for the next BookExpo America. Note the dates and
describe how you located this information.
Exercise 45
If anyone in your store attends BookExpo America, make an appointment to discuss
what he or she feels is most valuable about the show. What does he or she hope
to accomplish at the next BEA? If you have personally attended or plan to attend
BEA, detail your experiences or what you would like to achieve.
Regional Shows and Fairs
Many regional book associations hold fall trade shows. Some also sponsor spring
shows or educational outreach programs. Because they are held within a certain
geographic region, many booksellers who cannot afford to travel to BEA every
year attend regional shows. Some booksellers think that the smaller scale makes
regionals more friendly, especially as local reps are on hand. Generally, the
programs offered at regionals include educational sessions, author breakfasts
and receptions, and trade show exhibits. Regionals are a good place to find
other booksellers who share your concerns and your geography. You can find information
about upcoming regional shows at http://www.bookweb.org/orgs/286.html.
Exercise 46
If you have attended a regional show, what did you feel you accomplished or
learned from the experience? If you have not yet attended a regional show, speak
with some of your bookstore colleagues who have and ask them to answer the same
question.
Other Book Fairs and Trade Shows
Frankfurt International Book Fair
Held annually in October, the Frankfurt International Book Fair is the largest
book trade show in the world. Although booksellers (mostly from Europe) attend
the show, it is known primarily as a place where world rights are bought and
sold. For more on the Frankfurt Book Fair, click on http://www.frankfurt-bookfair.com/pages/navigation-e.html.
National Association of College Stores Annual Meeting and Campus Market
Expo (CAMEX)
The CAMEX trade show, the largest in the college store industry, features products
and services from publishers and other vendors servicing college bookstores.
The NACS Annual Meeting includes two full days of educational sessions on textbooks/course
materials, fiscal management, leadership/management, operations and technology,
marketing/customer and campus relations, and general merchandise. You can find
information on the CAMEX trade show and NACS Annual Meeting at http://www.camex.org.
American Library Association Annual Meeting and ALA Mid-Winter Meeting
The Annual Conference is held each June and features publishers' exhibits and
various programs and workshops. The ALA Mid-Winter Meeting, held each January,
provides the opportunity for various divisions to hold business meetings. Caldecott
and Newbery Medal winners are also announced at the Mid-Winter Meeting. To learn
more about ALA-sponsored events, go to http://www.ala.org/events/.
Christian Booksellers Association International Convention and CBA Expo
For almost 50 years, the CBA International Convention has been held
for booksellers who specialize in Christian books and related sidelines.
Generally taking place in July, people in the industry meet for buying and selling,
education, inspiration, fellowship, and future planning. In addition, relatively
new to the CBA Conventions & Meetings scene, CBA Expo is a smaller show,
held in late January. You can find out more about these book events at http://www.cbaonline.org/
Chicago International Remainder and Overstock Book Expo (CIROBE)
CIROBE is the world's largest trade show exclusively devoted to the buying
and selling of bargain books, and it is open only to the book trade. CIROBE
is held each fall in Chicago; for more information, check out the website at
http://www.cirobe.com.
Miami Book Fair International
Celebrating its 16th anniversary in 1999, the Miami Book Fair International
is the largest book fair in the United States. Held in November, this book fair
is open to the public and features a week-long series of author readings and
book signings, with a three-day outdoor street fair. The Miami Book Fair International's
website is located at http://www.mdcc.edu/bookfair/index.htm.
The Literary Congress
Initiated in 1998, the Literary Congress features a book trade show with multi-track
educational programs for booksellers and publishers, with special focus on advertising,
selling books, and promotion and/or publicity. Information about the upcoming
show can be found at http://www.literarycongress.com.
Bologna International Children's Book Fair
Held every April in Bologna, Italy, this book fair is a professional forum
for publishers, illustrators, booksellers, and other book industry specialists.
Events at the fair include an illustrators exhibition and café, an international
seminar for booksellers and a booksellers center, and an exhibit for printers.
More information is available online at http://www.bolognafiere.it/BookFair/welcome.html.
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