Attendance flat, mood up for resized CBA summer convention

The first CBA trade show under new leadership ended with a sense of satisfaction from organizers and many attendees.

Occupying the smallest floor space in recent years, the resized International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) at the America's Center in St. Louis, June 27-30, saw total attendance of 4,647, 2% down on the 4,744 in Denver.

But professional attendance—representing active buyers—was 1,593, almost level with last year's 1,605, while international visitors numbered 371, a rise of 4.5% on Denver's 354. Exhibitors for 2010 totaled 322, compared to 299 a year ago. Details of how many stores were represented at the show were not available at press time.

The audited numbers released last month were slightly down on initial end-of-show figures that had reported a small upswing, but CBA Executive Director Curtis Riskey was still pleased.

The results were particularly good when considered in the light of the average 16% drop in attendance reported across other retail trade shows, he said.

"Even though total numbers are down compared to a few years ago, it is apparent that the people attending are serious about their show investment and work hard to create a return," he said.

Riskey's positive view was shared by many in St. Louis for the four-day event, which saw a significant focus on digital publishing, social media and visual entertainment in the program.

For veteran retailer Steve Potratz, whose Parable marketing and franchise organization marked its 25th anniversary in St. Louis, it was "the most mission-driven show I have been at." He said: "This show is going very much back to what CBA is all about."

Harvest House President Bob Hawkins Jr., said that he was pleased with the event, where the company had forgone its usual hospitality suite to bring all its business onto the show floor.

"This is where there's a lot of synergy that takes place," he said. "Even though it's sometimes distracting, it's better to meet people at the booth."

While many exhibitors trimmed back their display space and promotional efforts at ICRS—with one leading publisher choosing not to host an A-list author for a St. Louis new-release signing in case he was disappointed by the turnout—FaithWords went the opposite direction, hosting a top-name authors' reception featuring Charles Swindoll, David Jeremiah, Ted Dekker and others.

Other big draws at ICRS included former Hamas member Mosab Hassan Yousef, author of Son of Hamas (Tyndale House Publishers), whose appearance at the opening Pacesetter event—where he got a standing ovation—and at a subsequent book signing had not been advertised in advance due to security concerns.

ICRS attendees also rose to their feet to applaud Bill Anderson, when he arrived to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the trade association he served for more than 30 years.

The president and CEO of CBA for 24 years, Anderson was presented with the honor at the event's opening Pacesetter event by Chairman-elect George Thomsen who said that Anderson had been "a true champion for Christian retail and Christian retailers."

Thomsen and Riskey read tributes from several industry leaders, including Ed Leonard, president of Daywind Records and chairman of the Gospel Music Association board, who described Anderson as "a statesman for Christian retail."

Receiving the award, Anderson said that it had been an honor to serve, and he reminded those present that "we have a high and holy calling, and we have been given a sacred trust."

Now consulting CEOs and associations, Anderson said that as an industry of one book, the Bible, everything that was published and all products should align fully with Scripture "or we have no business handling it. Because we are here to do the King's business, we have no business altering His message."

Looking ahead, Riskey said that CBA was looking at ways to continue to reshape ICRS, including being open to further talks with other industry groups about some sort of collaborative program and also to considering the idea of adding a consumer aspect to the show.

"We are committed to making this show as valuable as possible," he said. "We are open to any new ideas and new ways. I see ICRS as a large tent, under which others can come together and we can build more synergy."

ICRS 2011 is set for Atlanta, July 10-13.

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