Best-selling author and speaker Cynthia Ruchti offered a hope-filled message during the Munce Group’s annual vendor breakfast at the Orlando, Florida event Monday morning. 

Kirk Blank, president of Munce Group introduced Ruchti.

"I want to introduce you to a real blessing in my life," he said. "I met Cynthia Ruchti probably two or three years ago. When I met her, I immediately had a connection with her. Cynthia has been a rock for me personally, and she’s always a real encouragement. Cynthia tells stories that are hemmed in hope, and she is a noted speaker.”

International Christian Retail Show attendees learned about “How to Use Digital Marketing in Both the U.S. and Internationally to Expand the Reach of Your Products” at a Monday morning digital-publishing offering led by David Manning, director of audience development, and Julio Vientos, director of the Casa Creación imprint, both of Charisma Media.

“I find this session very important because of the trends in social media and online purchases that people are making," Vientos said. "Practically we need to be updated with everything that is happening and how the industry is moving in terms of e-commerce and e-books.    

Winners of the 2015 Christian Retailing’s Best awards were announced Tuesday morning, June 30, at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Orlando, Florida. B&H Publishing Group was the runaway winner with 20 awards this year, while Abingdon Press won seven awards and Lighthouse Christian Products took home four.

Following a performance by soloist and violinist Jean Watson (Shadowlands Music), the awards were presented at the Creative Pavilion stage at the Orange County Convention Center. Dr. Steve Greene, executive vice president of media at Charisma Media, welcomed the guests, and Christine D. Johnson, editor of Christian Retailing magazine, the sponsor of Christian Retailing’s Best, emceed the awards.

The Parable Group and WestBow Press, the self-publishing division of Thomas Nelson and Zondervan, announced the top 10 finalists for the 2015 Aspiring Authors Writing Contest on Sunday, June 28. The retail and marketing services provider made the announcement during The Parable Group All Partner Store Meeting at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, before the International Christian Retail Show.

The 2015 Christy Awards honoring and promoting excellence in Christian fiction were presented at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida, Monday evening, June 29. The gala event is now in its 15th year.

The Christy Awards (christyawards.com) featured a keynote address from InterVarsity Press fiction author, pastor, spiritual director and retreat leader Sharon Garlough Brown, with Terry Glaspey, author of more than a dozen books, emceeing the event. Glaspey has worked the last 20 years with Harvest House Publishers, where he is director of acquisitions and development.

More than 100 directors, producers, actors and other visual media makers gathered in Orlando, Florida, June 24-27, for the 40th anniversary International Christian Visual Media (ICVM) convention, capped off by the annual Crown Awards. ICVM attendees participated in seminars on production, distribution and the creative side of filmmaking, as well as networking sessions and film screenings.

Highlights of the event included appearances by Steve Saint, Broadway performer Shaullanda LaCombe, former mafia boss Michael Franzese, casting director Beverly Holloway, feature and documentary films director and producer David Nixon, and Life of Pi producer Christina Lee Storm.

American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) announced the finalists for the 2015 Carol Awards in Christian fiction at a press conference at the International Christian Retail Show in Orlando, Florida. To qualify, novels in the program's 11 categories must have been published in the previous calendar year.

ACFW CEO Colleen Coble also announced the 2015 recipient of the ACFW Lifetime Achievement Award, Francine Rivers.