The publisher's second such program for leading accounts was originally to have been hosted in Nashville in April this year, when it was pushed back to an undetermined date in 2010. But now the company has announced that it will not take place next year, either.

"Given the continued challenges of the economic environment, we do not plan to host the event (in 2010)," said Lindsey Nobles, Thomas Nelson's director of corporate communications. "In addition to the added expense to us, we believe it would be an added burden to our retail partners to be away from their stores when their resources are already spread so thin."

Thomas Nelson debuted its Open House in 2008 after pulling out of CBA's winter conference--since scrapped--maintaining it was more cost-effective to host its key accounts in Nashville than take part in the wider industry event.

Around 100 of Nelson's leading Christian retail accounts from across the country had their Nashville travel and accommodation paid for, taking part in training sessions and hearing inspirational speakers.

The company continues to maintain one of the largest sales, marketing and customer service staffs in the industry--both internally and field based--dedicated to serving Christian retailers, Nobles told Christian Retailing.

"While we love events like Open House and hope to continue them, our main commitment is to providing the highest possible level of retail support day in and day out," she said.