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 Christian publishing professionals will gather for the annual Publishing University (PUBu), hosted by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA), Oct. 19-20 at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois. An estimated 200 industry leaders and publishing practitioners are expected to attend PUBu sessions of their choosing on relevant topics in marketing, design, editorial, production and digital.
Digital will be a new focus for this year’s event along with a few “new twists,” said Jeff Crosby, head of the PUBu BrainTrust, the planning team in charge of developing sessions and speakers for the program. “First, we are putting together an entire block of sessions on Digital because of its impact throughout marketing, licensing, editorial, production and design,” Crosby said. “There will also be more cross-disciplinary sessions and additional networking opportunities, as the great value of PUBu is learning from and connecting with colleagues both within and outside your publishing role.” The PUBu BrainTrust includes Crosby, associate publisher and sales & marketing director at InterVarsity Press; Brian Flagler, principal at Flagler Law Group; Michael Covington, business team lead at Disciplr; Torrey Sharp, owner and principal at Faceout Studio; Larry Weeden, director of book development, curriculum & acquisitions at Focus on the Family; and Jennifer Butenschoen, director of production and digital content at Harvest House Publishers. “ECPA is grateful to these industry leaders for taking on the charge of planning an energizing training and networking event that mentors the new and young practitioner while engaging the seasoned professional,” said Stan Jantz, ECPA’s interim executive director. “Our entire focus at this event will be the message ‘You Matter,’ that each attendee’s individual role contributes to their company, strengthens their industry and furthers the kingdom of Christ.” Intentional networking time has been added to this year’s schedule. The event will open Monday with a 1-3 p.m. mixer during registration and before the opening session in Wheaton’s Meyer Science building. “There will be plenty of time for connection and discussion both in the classroom and during breaks, meals and our opening reception,” Jantz said. PUBu’s annual Rights forum will take a hiatus this year as most industry rights managers will be at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The community plans to reconvene at the 2016 PUBu.
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