NEIBA Fall Conference: Another Smooth, Successful Show

The 51st annual fall conference of the New England Independent Booksellers Association, held in Newton, Mass., concluded last Friday with the third of three busy, lively days of panels, keynotes, trade show, author appearances, rep picks, parties, the association annual meeting, and a banquet dinner celebrating the winners of the New England Book Awards. Altogether some 325 booksellers and 63 exhibitors (including 200 staffers) attended. In addition, 91 authors were on hand, making total attendance more than 600, up from last year's 507.

The conference moved from its longtime location in Providence, R.I., after losing its dates at the Rhode Island Convention Center. Many compared the new setting, the Boston Marriott Newton, with an M.C. Escher print because of its unusual labyrinthine structure (the main floor was the fourth floor, for example), but once attendees figured it out, most were happy with it, particularly the lakeside setting and huge outdoor tent where some events were held. For the NEIBA staff, having the fall conference in a new location was a greater challenge than going to the same spot again, but the show ran smoothly and successfully.

At the NEIBA annual meeting, Emily Russo, co-owner of Print: A Bookstore, Portland, Maine, whose term as NEIBA president ended after the annual meeting, acknowledged that "the 2020s continue to challenge us and don't show many signs of letting up." The challenges include ongoing book bannings; the election year; rising rents, book costs, and credit card fees; wars; climate change; increasing authoritarianism worldwide; disease; and more. "It is not easy," she said.

But Russo had good news about the association: it added 23 new member stores in the past year on top of the 18 in the past fiscal year. Since the last fall conference, NEIBA has facilitated programs and events that have included virtual and in-person meetings, education, forums, and office hours, and issued holiday catalog and summer reading campaigns. The Spring Forum, she said, "has become a highlight of our year."

In her report, NEIBA executive director Beth Ineson noted that the association has had several "spendy years," in part because of its wonderful 50th anniversary celebration last year, higher conference costs, a full summer reading catalog, retreats, increased programming, and more. She emphasized that "we're spending money that we have" and the association's balance sheet is in "excellent shape."

Still, there are ongoing budget pressures from lower holiday catalog income and the costs of conferences (nearly double pre-pandemic costs for space and food). Going over budget, however intentionally, Ineson continued, is "not sustainable, so we're going to need to figure out a way to move forward" and keep the association's high level of service to members while staying within budget.

Among "irons in the fire" for this fiscal year, Ineson said, NEIBA plans to create a bookstore roadmap for New England like the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association's bookstore map, which it hopes will be done in time for next year's Independent Bookstore Day. In addition, the board has approved an investment in HR education for members ("HR feels like it's a pain point for everyone") that will include ongoing training resources.

Among changes on the board and staff, Evelyn Maguire joined NEIBA as marketing coordinator; Ineson called her "a joy to work with" and praised her for her work helping put the show together.

On the NEIBA board, Kelsy April, formerly of Bank Square Books, Mystic, Conn., became a Norton rep earlier this year and left the board. She was replaced by Ryan Clark from Gibson's Bookstore, Concord, N.H., who was elected to a full term on her own.

In addition, Hannah Harlow, co-owner of the Bookshop of Beverly Farms, Beverly, Mass., and Steve Iwanski, owner of Charter Books, Newport, R.I., were elected to the board.

Besides Emily Russo, Meghan Hayden, owner of River Bend Bookshop, Glastonbury and West Hartford, Conn., and NEIBA treasurer and clerk, is leaving the board. With those changes, Liz Whitelam, owner of Whitelam Books, Reading, Mass., has become president. Sam Kaas, co-owner of the Norwich Bookstore, Norwich, Vt., becomes secretary and treasurer. David Sandberg, co-owner of Porter Square Books, Cambridge and Boston, Mass., continues as vice-president.

Next year's NEIBA fall conference will be held September 9-11 in Manchester, N.H., where this year's first-class Spring Forum took place. --John Mutter

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