Like other regional booksellers associations, the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association and the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association have decided not to hold their joint fall conference, Heartland Fall Forum, in person and plan to host it next year in the site chosen for 2020, St. Louis, Mo.
In the meantime, instead of the Fall Forum, MIBA and GLIBA will hold a virtual event, Heartland Summer, lasting from June through September, that will feature "an ongoing array of events--education, rep picks and author events--all virtual and easy to attend and enjoy," the associations said. "It will be sustained by an exhibits page on our website that hosts our summer content while also allowing publishers and industry members to bring you the show specials, creative assets, ARC request forms, and the necessary forms of connection we usually provide." In October, the associations will host a bigger virtual celebration, including a Heartland Booksellers Award celebration and the Heartland Book Club. All events will be recorded and made available to members.
Anyone with suggestions for education topics or presenters for Heartland Summer should e-mail GLIBA executive director Larry Law. Publishers or reps interested in participating in the monthly Rep Picks sessions should be sure they're added to the database of reps also by e-mailing Larry Law. To alert the associations about authors, especially for keynote spots, please e-mail MIBA executive director Carrie Obry.