BookExpo America has announced a series of initiatives to boost bookseller participation at the 2001 convention, set for June 1—3 in Chicago. Greg Topalian, v-p and show director for BEA, stressed, "My single greatest commitment to this year's show is to increase bookseller attendance."
New programs include allowing American Booksellers Association members who have attended BEA in the past to bring additional staff members at a cost of $10 per extra badge. ABA members who have not attended BEA will be offered a package that combines inexpensive lodging with a half-price conference fee. Booksellers going to BEA for the first time and who are not ABA members will receive the ABA BEA rate, a free conference package and a 50% discount from ABA on first-year membership.
To help subsidize the cost of attending the convention for first-timers or attendees who haven't been to the show in more than three years, BEA has formed the Bookseller Scholarship Fund. It will be funded by exhibitors, and proceeds will be divided among a number of booksellers.
