MidAtlantic Book Publishers Association

When I arrived at the Valley Forge convention center, I was a little nervous when I noticed the number of people entering the building carrying firearms. I soon discovered that, in addition to the NAIBA show, the convention center was also hosting a gun show. Walking past the gun-toting attendees to get to the NAIBA show was a little disconcerting, but after a while I got used to it, although I was tempted to carry a sign reading, “Buy books, not guns.”

The NAIBA show was held on a Saturday and Sunday. On Saturday, the booksellers attended sessions while the exhibitors set up. Saturday evening the exhibits were open from 6 to 7:30 PM for the opening reception. The atmosphere was mostly social, and while some booksellers browsed the exhibits, most were carrying drinks and networking, and not inclined to pick up catalogs or do any serious looking.

Sunday was a different story as the booksellers got down to business. I’ve volunteered at the PMA booth at BEA for three years in a row, but this was my first time at a regional show, and I was amazed at the difference! There weren’t a large number of booksellers; the registration desk said that there were 300 attendees from 100 stores, but I don’t think I saw that many. However, the small size made for a much more intimate atmosphere that was very conducive to doing business. Most booksellers were very interested in the exhibits and were doing serious research for their stores. Many were glad to stop and talk.

Many thanks to Mary Shafer of Word Forge Books for helping to set up, and Marci Andrews and Leeann Murray of Cornell Maritime Press/Tidewater Publishers for helping to man the exhibit!

Sheila Ruth at the NAIBA show:

Marci Andrews and Leeann Murray at the NAIBA show:

Sheila Ruth President, MidAtlantic Book Publishers Association http://www.midatlanticbookpublishers.com

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