The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is going ahead with its May 3-5 Executive Leadership Summit, despite flooding in the Nashville area. Other publishers and agencies in the area have been affected, and some offices are closed.

The ECPA event is being held at B&H Publishing Group's conference facilities. B&H is open, though a number of employees could not make it in today.

"The flooding hasn't really affected our offices here in Nashville," said Angela Baker, key account team leader for B&H Publishing Group. "There is a lot of flooding around Nashville."

LifeWay Christian Stores is inviting its Facebook friends to join in prayer "for those in the Southeast affected by the weekend storms, tornadoes, and flooding.

Howard Books is among the publishers closed today, as is Thomas Nelson. "We are closed today due to the flooding," said Jonathan Merkh, vice president and publisher. "At least two of our colleagues have suffered considerable damage and losses due to the floods."

Thomas Nelson CEO Mike Hyatt reported on his blog that the Nelson offices were closed, though "we didn't have any water damage at our corporate headquarters or at our warehouse. However, we were concerned that our employees could not get into work. More importantly, we want them to be free to deal with their own issues or help out with their family, friends, and neighbors."

Hachette Book Group is open today. "Our office is open, and we are all OK," said Shanon Stowe, director of publicity. "Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the flood."

Kristy Miller, merchandising analysis manager for the Ingram Book Company, said the company had  some flooding in its parking lot Saturday. “Several Ingram employees have lost everything or knew someone who perished,” she said.

Brian Mayes, president of Nashville Publicity Group, said his agency is open today—“though spending most of our time on the phone connecting family, friends, clients ... affected by the flood.” “Most of the (music) labels are apparently closed today, as are many Nashville-area businesses,” he added.

Publicity firm The M Collective of Franklin, Tenn, is open for business, but not at the office. "We are open, but all over town in our homes because our office was flooded, so we'll be a bit scattered (literally) for a couple of weeks," Velvet Kelm, president, said.

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