Although the economy continues to struggle, retailers and supplier attendance was up for the Munce Group's Christian Product Expo (CPE) from last year's show.

CPE Nashville 2010--held Sept. 12-14 at the Embassy Suites Murfreesboro Hotel and Convention Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn.--saw a 13% increase in retailer attendance from last year's event, while vendor attendance was up approximately 8%, according to organizers.

"While the economy is an ever present challenge, retailers and suppliers attend CPE because they know it is beneficial to their businesses," said Munce Group President Kirk Blank. More than 400 retailers and vendors attended the Munce members-only event.

Approximately 210 retailers placed orders with more than 180 vendors, representing 80 companies, Munce officials said.

"We're pulling the final sales number together, but it looks like we will see about a 20% increase in sales over last year's event," said Tom Knight, Thomas Nelson's senior vice president of Christian retail sales and ministry development group.

Ed Nizynski, vice president of sales for Lighthouse Christian Products, said the company saw a 25% sales increase over last year's CPE. "Retailers were upbeat and complementary about our company," he told Christian Retailing. "It (CPE) is well-organized, retailer focused, inspiring, educational and a very enjoyable venue."

CPE included a Bible conference featuring Elizabeth and Jim George as well as other authors, including Carol Kent, Andy Andrews and Joel C. Rosenberg. Artists performing at the event included Bebo Norman, Audrey Assad, Jars of Clay, Matthew West, Jason Crabb, Andy Andrews as well as comedian Kenn Kington.

CPE also featured a sneak preview of Courageous--a police drama addressing issues of fatherhood that likely will not be released in theaters until fall 2011, according to Stephen Kendrick, the film's co-writer and producer who showed several clips of the follow-up to Fireproof.

Munce emphasizes order-writing at CPE by motivating retailers with a reimbursement program that helps to offset travel, food and hotel expenses, based on reaching order-writing goals. Munce serves nearly 500 stores nationwide. Munce's CPE Hershey is planned for Jan. 16-18, 2011, at the Hershey Lodge in Hershey, Pa.

Click here for more information on Munce Group's events.

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