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Written by Eric Tiansay
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Thursday, 22 January 2009 04:26 PM America/New_York |
 The Christian product industry’s trade show calendar is being rewritten for 2009 because of the continuing economic slowdown. Organizers have postponed, scrapped and shortened planned events.-
- Meanwhile, several retailers, suppliers and publishers contacted by Christian Retailing have said they will skip or cut back their presence at trade shows.
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“As far as 2009, I’m not going to any shows,” said Elaine Todd, owner of Living Branches in Winchester, Va. “Two years ago, I would have never dreamed (of that). But that’s what lack of revenue will do.”
- Thomas Nelson scrapped plans in December to hold its second Open House reception for key Christian retail accounts, scheduled for April 13-15. The three-day event has been pushed back to 2010, when it will become a biennial happening.
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- The Nelson move came just days after CBA announced that it had canceled plans for a West Coast location for its Industry Conference, scheduled for Feb. 4, because of lack of support, though the Jan. 14 one planned for Atlanta went ahead.
- CBA had previously announced that it will shorten its annual summer show—long the centerpiece of the Christian products industry—from five to four days. The International Christian Retail Show will be held July 12-15 in Denver.
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- The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association hopes for up to 20,000 attendees at its new, consumer-focused Christian Book Expo, March 20-22 in Dallas, but the organization has scrapped its November members PubU conference in favor of online seminars.
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- Meanwhile, unlike other publishers who are decreasing their participation in industry events, Standard Publishing was “increasing the number of trade shows we will attend, consistent with our strategy of increasing our channels of distribution,” said President Larry Carpenter.
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Read the full report in the Feb. 9 issue of Christian Retailing.
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