Retailers have returned from Christian Retailing’s Retailing ReBoot West event eager to implement some of the things they learned during the magazine’s training and trade event in Los Alamitos, Calif.

Store representatives and suppliers were appreciative of the first industry event to be held on the West Coast for several years, following the success of Retailing ReBoot in Orlando, Fla., in April.

“I’m going to make sure that we are giving Bibles their full attention,” said Eva McDowell, recently appointed manager of Eagles Bookstore at Abundant Living Family Church in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. “That will be a huge takeaway,” she said following the educational sessions at the Oct. 17-18 event, which included encouragement for stores not to lose sight of the importance of Bibles as their cornerstone category.

The ReBoot presentations and panel discussions had been “amazing,” she said. “I think it will contribute to the success of my store.”

Debbie Garfield said that she was returning to Serendipity Bible House in Fairfield, Calif., which she has owned for 25 years, intending to introduce midday prayer times open to members of the public, after hearing how other stores were doing so. “I think if people know we are having prayer, they will come just for that.”

Jon Michell, director of retail & food service at First Christian Church of Huntington Beach, Calif., said that his head was “swimming” after the event. “I can't decide where to start—an author event, a Bookstore Manager email campaign, an overhaul of our layout or Zondervan Bible training for frontliners. It's all so exciting.”

ReBoot West “definitely inspired me,” he added. “It reminded me of the bigger picture, that this is a ministry and God has a purpose for this store. It made me realize I'm not alone and there are other people going through the same thing I am.”

Practical ideas and insights on dealing with Bibles, books and customer service issues were offered by presenters that included George Thomsen, chairman of the CBA board, and trade association board member Aurelio Barreto, founder of the C28 store chain and Not of This World apparel company. 

Around 70 retailers attended the two-day event hosted by Cottonwood Church, where Rose Seeley is manager of Cottonwood Bookstore. She helped organize the event after attending Retailing ReBoot in Orlando and wanted to provide an opportunity for other retailers who were not there to benefit from a similar event.

More than 30 suppliers were represented on the exhibit floor, including Crossway, New Day Christian Distributors, Not of this World and Zondervan.

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