Retailers wearing Blood Donor 2 T-shirts filled Kerusso's booth location Tuesday at 3:16 p.m., aiming to win an iPad or one of three product packages the apparel maker was giving away.

Kerusso President and CEO Vic Kennett thanks retailers for their service in getting the gospel message out through the company's apparel and gave an update on the ongoing Live for Him campaign, which was renewed with additional products last year.

A near-capacity crowd heard compelling stories and testimonies yesterday from contemporary, rap/hip-hop and Southern gospel artists during an event sponsored by the Gospel Music Association (GMA).

Hosted by wise-cracking Mark Schultz. the Heart of the Artist Luncheon featured performances by contemporary musicians Audrey Assad, Sanctus Real and Matthew West as well as Candy Christmas and rapper Willie "P-Dub" Moore.

West shared about how he spent two months in a Tennessee cabin reading thousands of letters and e-mails sent by fans and strangers, which led him to write songs for his latest album, The Story of Your Life, to be released Oct. 5 by Sparrow Records.

The first anniversary of singer Michael Jackson's death might have dominated the headlines in recent days, but the Thriller Tour that made a stop at the show was about mystery, not music or the pop icon's best-selling album.

Authors Robin Carol, Brandilyn Collins, Tosca Lee and James L. Rubart signed black T-shirts bearing the Thriller Tour message at the B&H Publishing Group booth as part of a three-city, 10-stop event promoting their latest titles.

Popular Amish-fiction author Wanda Brunstetter was on hand to help Barbour Publishing host its third annual Barbour Fiction Café at the show.

Along with five other Barbour authors, Brunstetter signed books and mingled with retailers who entered a drawing with the chance to win a $100 gift card. Lorraine Valk of Banner Books Parable Christian Store of St. Joseph in St. Joseph, Mich.-whose store just won the Jim Carlson National CBA Spirit of Excellence Award-won the Barbour drawing.

Regal has scored with a rush-to-press book honoring one of the sporting world's most revered figures.

Trade sales director Ken Lorenz said that the company had already almost sold through the initial 42,000-copy print run for The Greatest Coach Ever, published in partnership with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).

Originally due to release in October, the book was brought forward for a July 1 debut following the June 4 death of longtime college basketball coach John Wooden, at the age of 99.

Bringing together reflections from athletes, coaches and other sporting figures on how Wooden impacted their lives, the 160-page paperback also includes an introductory tribute by Regal's senior editor, Steven Lawson, who met with Wooden shortly before his death.

"We have had a great response," said Lorenz, following a signing session with FCA General Editor Dan Britton, who worked on the book.

He added that the flurry of media coverage about Wooden and his life also spiked interest in Regal's 2006 Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success, written by Wooden and Jay Carty, and the pair's companion Coach Wooden's Pyramid of Success Playbook. Regal also published Wooden One-on-One, a collection of 60 daily readings.

Several companies released new toys and games as well as children's product lines at ICRS.

Located at the STL Distribution North America booth, Alphabet Alley unveiled its first character-based line of books and toys for the toddler and preschool market. "Bible Train Adventures," which includes board books, puzzles and matching games, features conductor Nichodemus-who leads young children on adventures through the Bible with the help of the Bible Train.

Along with the new line, Alphabet Alley is launching a dedicated Web site, www.bibletrainadventures.com, in July featuring child-friendly games and activities. Alphabet Alley owner Marilyn Fontana said the new line "brings a fresh new look" to the company's product offering.

Christian retailers were presented with book-buying data to help them understand their shoppers better at the seminar titled "The Future of Christian Retail as Told by Your Customers."

David Campbell, senior account manager for publishing information specialist RR Bowker, shared details from the company's 2009 survey of 43,000 book buyers who answered 75 monthly questions about their reading and spending habits.

Bibles accounted for 43% of purchases at Christian retail, he revealed, followed by fiction (10%) and Christian living (9%). Bible study materials accounted for 8% of purchases. Christian retail remained the primary place for purchase of Christian books, followed by e-commerce sites, secular large chains, direct sales and book clubs, he added.