Retailer and supplier excellence was recognized at The Gathering with awards to four stores and two companies.

Steve and Janelle Pickering, owners of Parable Lemstone Christian Store in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received Christian Retailing's Independent Store of the Year Award for "outstanding contributions in the development of Christian retail."

Similar honors from The Church Bookstore magazine for quality stores went to church-based operations in three categories.

Large store: Rockpile, Rock Ministries, San Diego, Calif., Jayson Payne, manager.

Mid-sized store: Passages-The Gateway Bookstore, Gateway Church, Southlake, Texas, Bobby Williams, manager.

Small store: Next Step Resources, Granger Community Church, Granger, Ind., Susan Chipman, manager.

The Church Bookstore Vendor of the Year award, for "outstanding service in the development of Christian retail in the local church," went to Thomas Nelson.

Zondervan's Larry Avery, senior account executive, was named Salesman of the Year.