A highlight on Saturday is the pre-Wi2025 debut of IGNITE, a free conference for BIPOC booksellers (including those who won't be attending Winter Institute) that is designed to "emulate similar programs in colleges and universities to welcome and acclimate students of color to campuses at predominantly white institutions," the ABA wrote. "This was created in our continuing effort to support booksellers of color and our commitment to antiracism, equity, access, and representation."
IGNITE programming includes a rep picks session and an authors and editors reception as well as discussions on empowering BIPOC booksellers in white-dominated spaces and entrepreneurial obstacles and opportunities.
Sunday programming includes bookstore tours, a Paz & Associates seminar on opening a bookstore, several in-depth sessions on budgeting, Edelweiss360, inventory management, cash flow projection, a crafting gathering. From noon to 4, the Indie Press Summit, sponsored by the Independent Publishers Caucus, features a keynote, town hall, and educational panels, all focusing on the "indie-to-indie" connection between indie publishers and indie booksellers. Booksellers are welcome to attend.
The Winter Institute's Grand Opening Reception will be held Sunday 5:30-7 p.m. at the Fillmore Auditorium at 1510 Clarkson St., about 0.7 miles from the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel, the Winter Institute hotel. The reception will celebrate three bookselling milestones: the 125th anniversary of the founding of the ABA; the 20th annual Winter Institute; and the fifth anniversary of the launch of Bookshop.org. Shuttle buses will be provided.
On the occasion of Wi's 20th anniversary, it's fitting to remember that Winter Institute was the idea of Mitchell Kaplan, owner of Books & Books, with five stores in south Florida, who was ABA president at the time. The concept centered on having a counterpoint to the old BookExpo America shows, which were held in late May and usually moved around the country. Most booksellers didn't want to travel far for BookExpo. Thus Winter Institute would be held in cities at some distance from BookExpo's location that year and be held during the winter. Perhaps most important, unlike at BookExpo, booksellers would be the focus, not just one of many book world constituencies.
The first Winter Institute was held in Long Beach, Calif., in 2006. The ABA was so concerned that it might not attract many booksellers that it scheduled other meetings in conjunction with Winter Institute to be sure of adequate attendance. Under then-CEO Avin Domnitz, the ABA staff put on the first of many smooth, exciting shows. Nearly 400 people attended, and the verdict was quick and positive: everyone welcomed the event, particularly booksellers, who weren't used to being treated so well at national events. For example, at one luncheon, publishers and media people had to wait until booksellers were seated before they could find spots.