Munce Group’s January CPE (Christian Product Expo) is to return to its longtime venue in Hershey, Pa., next year.

The decision was made after this year’s switch to the Lancaster Convention Center in Lancaster, Pa. The Jan. 29-31 event there drew 219 retailers and 128 vendors to the newly opened center.

“While we received good feedback from the vendors and stores regarding the Lancaster facility, the distance from the airport and other factors led us back to the Hershey Lodge,” said Munce President Kirk Blank. “They are thrilled to have CPE back.”

To be held Jan. 20-22, 2013, the CPE will be back at the venue at which Munce had hosted the show since taking over the former Evangelical Christian Publishers Association’s similar event—staged at the same place—in 2007.

With free attendance and a reimbursement program that helps to offset travel, food and hotel expenses, based on reaching order-writing goals, CPE is “summed up in three words,” said Blank, “encourage, equip and engage.”

“This is the show to attend if one is looking to network with other Christian bookstores, authors and vendors,” said James Stokes of Gospel Spreading Bible Bookstore in Washington, D.C., who attended the Lancaster event. “A must for new stores.”

The fall 2012 CPE will be held at the Embassy Suites and Conference Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn., Sept. 16-18.

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