Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company announced June 18 the hiring of Andrew Knapp as development editor in biblical studies.

Knapp brings both practical knowledge and experience to his new position at Eerdmans, having working most recently as acquisitions editor and marketing director at Eisenbrauns, an international academic publisher specializing in the ancient Near East and biblical studies. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Seattle Pacific University, a master of theological studies from the University of Notre Dame and a doctorate in Near Eastern Studies with a concentration in Hebrew Bible from Johns Hopkins University. He is also proficient in a wide variety of ancient languages, and his forthcoming book, Royal Apologetic in the Ancient Near East, is to be published by SBL Press.

A free seminar on "Publishing in a Digital World" will be offered this summer for international Christian publishers attending the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Orlando, Florida. CBA asked Magazine Training International (MTI) and Media Associates International (MAI) to provide training with up-to-date information and tips from experts in digital publishing.

The nine-hour seminar will be held in conjunction with ICRS at the Orange County Convention Center from June 28 through July 1. Although the training is aimed at the roughly 350 international publishers who annually attend ICRS, the event is open to other Christians in publishing who would like to learn more about digital publishing. Seminar participants who would like access to the exhibit floor must register for ICRS.

New Hope Publishers has announced the launch of its new and improved website. The new website aims to provide more efficient access to New Hope’s product line.

With simplified site navigation and intuitive search capability, the website was redesigned with responsiveness and ease of use in mind, as well as improving user experience when viewed on various media devices.

Best-selling author and motivational speaker Nick Vujicic will be speaking at a special CBA VIP Event held at the Holy Land Experience theme park June 29 during the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Orlando, Florida.

Vujicic, who was born without arms or legs, is the best-selling author of Life Without Limits (WaterBrook Press), and is the director of the nonprofit organization Life Without Limbs. He was recently the subject of a one-hour television special, Born Without Limbs, which aired nationwide June 17 on TLC.

Winners of the 2015 Christian Retailing’s Best awards will be announced Tuesday, June 30, at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) in Orlando, Florida. Singer and violinist Jean Watson will perform during the awards presentation, which will take place 10-11 a.m. on the show floor’s Creative Pavilion.

Born into a musical family, Watson’s classical training began when she was still a young child. Early on, she displayed an affinity for the violin, but was soon also recognized for her talented vocals. Though her first marriage ended in divorce and thrust her into a time of depression and loneliness, it was then that she cried out to God and experienced a breakthrough. This miracle in her life is what inspires her music. Along with hosting her own inspirational radio program called Jean Watson on UCB Radio Ireland, she also travels frequently to many churches, coffee houses, prisons, homeless shelters and concert halls to play and sing.

P. Graham Dunn has opened a new store in Branson, Missouri, as part of its continuing effort to reach consumers directly through retail outlets.

The location is a corner store on Main Street, just a few blocks from one of the key high-end retail centers of town, which the company expects will drive traffic to their store.

GRAMMY Award nominee Tamela Mann is the first gospel lead artist in Billboard gospel radio chart history to score three consecutive No. 1's from an album. Her current single, "This Place," is the third song to ascend to No. 1 from her Tillymann Entertainment CD Best Days.

The historic gospel radio chart honor follows the album's previous No. 1 chart toppers, "Take Me to the King," Best Days' lead single, written by Kirk Franklin, which is RIAA-certified Gold and approaching Platinum; and second single, "I Can Only Imagine." Best Days topped numerous Billboard album sales charts following its 2012 release, including Billboard's gospel album sales chart, and is RIAA-certified Gold.