GLBA/ABA FORUM & SEMINAR SLATED FOR CINCINNATI
The second ABA/GLBA Forum of this year in our region will be held in Cincinnati on Tuesday, March 30, in the offices of one of our newest publishers, Emmis Books. All GLBA and ABA members are invited to attend to hear about the new gift card program, participate in the give and take of the forum, and attend the seminar, which will give targeted techniques for improving profitable. Here are the details:
GLBA/ABA Forum & Seminar
Tuesday, March 30, 2004
11:00 – 3:30
At the Offices of Emmis Books
The Old Fire House
1700 Madison Road
Cincinnati, OH 45206
The Program
10:00 – Registration Begins
After you get your name tag and a cup of coffee, watch the documentary “Reading Your Rights” about the Tattered Cover Subpoena. Or discuss BookScan and other forms of bestseller list reporting with Jim Dana or Rita Williams of GLBA. Or network with your colleagues and staff of GLBA and ABA.
11:00 – Book Sense Gift Cards
Come early and see a demonstration of the new Book Sense Gift Card Program…how it works and how easy it is to get started....along with some specific case studies about bookstore experiences this past holiday season after they converted from paper to plastic! Attendees can win a free $25 gift card!
12 Noon - 1:45pm - ABA Open Forum (Lunch Provided!)
Your chance to hear and talk about current industry issues....as well as ABA programs and services..... Sales taxes; Patriots Act repeal; net-pricing proposals; BEA; Book Sense (its 5th birthday is this year, by the way!); ABACUS; LIBRIS; etc. Lunch will be provided. As in the past, these sessions are designed to talk about those subjects on booksellers' minds....everything and/or anything you want to talk about is germane!!!
2:00-3:30 - The 2% Solution
The 2003 ABACUS Study of independent bookshop operations showed that the average profitability of all 197 participants was -1.67%. This seminar looks at the drivers of profitability and examines the steps to be taken to help make independent bookstores profitable businesses. The session will show exactly how a bookseller can work on sales, gross margin, compensation and occupancy expenses. While moving from negative profitability to a positive 2% is a long journey, this seminar will help us to start drawing the road map.
posted by Jim at Tuesday, February 10, 2004 