Growing attendance a ‘real achievement’ in face of recession

ENGLAND

Despite the recession, British traders were buoyant about the new International Christian Resources Exhibition (ICRE), affectionately dubbed “the ideal church show” in tribute to the country’s long-established Ideals Homes Show.

More than 400 exhibitors took part in the event at Sandown Park, Esher, May 11-14. Their displays—from Elvis Presley’s Bible to a drink dispenser that literally produces water from thin air—attracted almost 13,000. That was an increase on the 2009 show, which drew 12,433 across the four days.

Opening the event was Elder Fu Xianwei, chairman of the National Committee of the Three-Self Patriotic Movement of the Protestant Churches in China. Amid his country’s booming economy, “there are still many poor people who need Bibles,” Xianwei said. Bible Society gave a special presentation to promote its ongoing work in the country.

ICRE included a Retailers’ Day for trade customers and saw more than 3,300 people attend seminars--another increase from the 2009 event. Topical issues explored by a range of experts included supporting people who have been sexually abused and helping those with dementia.

With the 2012 London Olympics in mind, the organizers had set up CRE’s first ever “sports zone.” Visitors could view a range of sports ministries like More Than Gold, Christian Surfers and 2K Plus International Sports Media.

The addition of “International” to the event’s name marked it out from previous years’ regional CREs at Telford and Peterborough, and also reflected a multinational flavor, with participants from as far away as Slovenia, Poland and the U.S.

Elvis’ Bible was part of a display by London-based Museum of the Book, which uses personal Bibles of historical figures—like ’60s gangster Reggie Kray and hangman Albert Pierrepoint—to convey the gospel.

“We always look forward to CRE,” said Steve Legg, publisher of the British men’s magazine Sorted. “This year was the busiest ever—and it was great to meet up with new customers and lots of old friends.”

The magazine revealed details of a survey with Christian Vision for Men (CVM). It found that although most men had visited a church in the past two years—mainly for weddings and funerals—many would feel more comfortable visiting a ladies’ lingerie shop. Sorted and CVM are helping the wider church with efforts to reach out to men.

The event was “the best we’ve ever attended,” said Mary Fleeson, artist with Lindisfarne Scriptorium, the popular art shop and gallery based on Holy Island, Northumbria. “We gained many new customers, secured several trade orders—and enjoyed meeting up with repeat visitors.

‘The atmosphere buzzed for much of the time,” she added. “There were few lulls in the main hall. Two fellow exhibitors who attend primarily to advertise also said their leads were of a better quality than those at recent trade fairs.”

Fleeson and her husband, Mark, were at ICRE to launch a series of fair-trade church banners, produced in conjunction with two other organizations working in the Philippines.

Echoing his “happy exhibitors,” event director Steve Briars said: “In the face of a major recession, many secular exhibitions have dramatically reduced in size or ceased to exist. For CRE to have grown over the past three years is a real achievement.”

ICRE Award winners included Christian Book of the Year: The Vicar of Baghdad by Andrew White (Monarch Books) and Reference Book of the Year: The World of the Bible by John Drane (Lion Hudson).

Threatened stores refocus on outreach; retailers and suppliers rally ‘to provide a Christian presence’

UNITED KINGDOM

A new vision for Christian retail in the country is emerging in the wake of a major change that some feared could have sunk large parts of the industry.

More than 20 bookstores that seemed to be heading for closure have been resurrected as part of a new model, while retailers and suppliers have begun to forge closer links for the future.

Living Oasis centers that aim to combine selling of Christian resources with local community outreach have taken the place of the former Wesley Owen stores closed when the chain—the largest in the U.K.—was sold off by parent company IBS-STL at the end of last year.

The initiative—“to provide a Christian presence on our high streets”—is being funded by charity Nationwide Christian Trust (NCT). Rev. Andy Twilley—the group’s director of Christian life and ministry, who is helping lead Oasis—said that there had been “wholehearted support and excitement about the vision,” from local churches.

Adrian Plass, one of the U.K.’s leading Christian authors, was on hand to cut the ribbon for the opening of the first new Oasis store, in Harrogate, England. Local civic and church leaders have taken part in dedication ceremonies at other locations from Inverness, Scotland, in the north to Worthing on England’s south coast.

Re-opening the stores in their old locations is in many cases an interim measure, with plans to move to larger premises that can accommodate coffee bars and meeting places for people in the area. “We believe that the financial viability of the shops requires such a move, and so we are actively looking for new premises in many of the areas,” said Twilley. “These are both larger in size and more centrally located, in order to be positioned where more folk are shopping.”

The outlets looked to be lost when Wesley Owen went on the block along with IBS-STL’s distribution and publishing divisions. CLC International (U.K.) and Australia’s Koorong chain bought a total of 16 prime store locations between them, leaving 26 others set for closure before NCT stepped in.

Also running the U.K.’s main distribution service, the IBS-STL sale had wider implications for the country’s estimated 500 stores, prompting an industry summit in January that saw the launch of Christian Resources Together (CRT).

Founded to increase cooperation and partnerships, the new body hosted a two-day retreat in May attended by more than 170 retailer and supplier representatives. “Stronger Together-Weaker Apart” featured time for fellowship and prayer, supplier presentations and workshops on effective buying and bookstore management.

Ian Metcalfe, publisher of Bibles and digital for Hodder & Stoughton, said that there was “a real buzz and camaraderie” at the event. “Let’s hope it’s the start of a good time for collaboration and meaningful partnership across our trade,” he added.

Joy McIlroy, manager of Ashburnham Bookshop at Ashburnham Place conference center in East Sussex, organizer of a national Day of Prayer for the industry, said that there was “a buzz and an energy about the place that had been seriously lacking in our industry in recent months.”

Many people had arrived disillusioned and fearful, she said, but left “feeling refreshed, enthused, inspired and hopeful. We all knew in our heads that we needed to be stronger together, but I believe we now truly know in our hearts how to do it.”

CRT coordinator Steve Briars said that the business climate remained “tough,” but there was “a new sense of optimism.” Clem Jackson, editor of the U.K. publication, Christian Marketplace, agreed, “though no one underestimates the size of the challenge before us,” he said. “It isn’t going to be easy, but at least there is more energy around.”

The retreat also saw the presentation of the CRT Awards, with Lion Hudson named Publisher. Other awards included: Small Retailer: Christian Books in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. Large Retailer: GLO Bookshop in Motherwell, Scotland, and Faith Mission Bookshop in Portadown, Northern Ireland. Card and Gift Supplier: Teal Press.

Spanish translation of ‘Love Dare’ wins two trophies, including Harold Kregel Book of the Year

EXPOLIT

B&H Publishing Group dominated the Spanish Evangelical Products Association (SEPA) Awards at the 18th annual Expolit convention in Miami, winning six trophies at the May 16 event.

Desafío del amor, the Spanish translation of The Love Dare by Fireproof movie-making brothers Stephen and Alex Kendrick (published in English by B&H Books in 2008), won the Harold Kregel 2009 Book of the Year award for “most inspiring and impactful book.”

With sales of more than 300,000 copies, Desafío del amor was also named Best Nonfiction Book and took a Gold Award for lifetime sales of at least 100,000 copies. B&H Publishing Group also won the best catalog, annotated Bible and reference book categories.

Editorial Unilit won three awards, including Publisher of the Year and tying for Best Original Spanish Work in 2009 for Los 30 horrores que cometen los hombres y que toda mujer debe saber (the 30 awful mistakes men commit that every woman should know) by Norma Pantojas. Editorial Unilit also garnered a Silver Award—lifetime sales of more than 50,000 copies—for Stormie Omartian’s El poder de la esposa que ora (The Power of a Praying Wife, published in English by Harvest House Publishers in 2007).

Editorial Vida, Zondervan’s Spanish imprint, was recognized for Best Original Spanish Work in 2009 for Destinado al exito (destined for success) by Argentine evangelist Dante Gebel. Additionally, Vida won the best advertisement and book cover categories in the art and design section.

A major award also went to Mexico’s Distribuidora Ariel for Distributor of the Year.

Editorial Portavoz (Kregel Publications’ Spanish imprint) won the Bible study and fiction categories. The Spanish imprint of Strang Communications—Christian Retailing’s parent company—Casa Creación received a Platinum Award for Joel Osteen’s Su mejor vida ahora (Your Best Life Now, published in English by FaithWords in 2004) and a Gold Award for Joyce Meyer’s Controlando sus emociones (Managing Your Emotions, published in English by FaithWords in 2002).

Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas (United Bible Societies) won two awards for best text Bible and best specialized Bible, while Tyndale Español garnered the best children’s book award for Mi Biblia pijama bilingüe (My Bilingual Pajama Bible).

Jim Cook, vice president of international sales for B&H Publishing Group, said the company’s international division experienced growth in 2009 despite the continuing downturn in the economy. “While most publishers were down 10% to 15%, we had our best year ever,” he said. “Our (Spanish) sales were up 27% from 2008.”

Attendance rises over 2009 for Spanish product world’s annual gathering

EXPOLIT

Despite the continuing global recession, attendance was up and attendees were upbeat about the 18th annual Expolit conference—held May 13- 18 in Miami, organizers said.

Although final attendance figures were not available at press time, registrations for the largest trade fair in the U.S. for the Spanish-language Christian literature and music world—which was also open to the general public—were up about 30% from last year, according to Expolit Vice President and Director Marie Tamayo.

Held at the Doubletree Miami Mart/Airport Hotel and Exhibition Center, Expolit featured several new events, including One World Youth Challenge 2010—”an entire day dedicated to youth,” Tamayo said.

The increase in attendance—which included both domestic and international conventioneers—was “spurred by a strong emphasis on youth, family and media events (along) with a wide variety of leading musicians and speakers such as Luis Palau and Kirk Cameron,” she said.

“This year we had specialized tracks,” Tamayo added. “The youth (focus) was more than well received. … A spirit of unity was a comment I received over and over at Expolit.”

Spanish Evangelical Products Association (SEPA) Executive Director and Editorial Unilit President David Ecklebarger said that “all the way around there was good enthusiasm on the part of the exhibitors.”

“The pulse right now is one of guarded optimism,” Ecklebarger added. “The industry is starting to turn the corner. There are a number of bookstores that were running level rather than losing ground. But I think the Spanish (product) industry has sort of bottomed out.”

He said that there was “a more positive feeling” at Expolit from the 2009 event. “Last year there was so much uncertainty about the future,” Ecklebarger added. “But this year there is a feeling of more confidence. … There was a sense of optimism on the part of the booksellers that things have either leveled off or are getting better.”

Some Spanish-language publishers reported growth in 2009.

“We had our best year so far, and 2010 is a special year with our 40th anniversary,” said Tito Mantilla, publisher of Editorial Portavoz (Kregel Publications’ Spanish imprint) who was elected SEPA president at Expolit.

Suppliers, it's time to submit your new products releasing in August to our online listing. Christian Retailing points store buyers to our expansive listing of books, Bibles, gifts, CDs, DVDs, children's products and more, so take advantage of the opportunity to enter your new and forthcoming products free of charge.

The film tells the story of twin brothers Ethan and Jack, who struggle over their birthright-ownership of their father's business, The Abrams Group. But when their father, Ike, dies, they find nothing is as they thought it would be, as their mother makes an irreversible decision that damages the fabric of their family.

In the Video Longform category, the RIAA Gold recognition represents more than 50,000 units sold. Live Revelations was released in April 2009.