The Munce Group officially kicks off its two-day Christian Product Expo (CPE) today at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel in Nashville. Brad Poel, Munce media and events manager, said CPE usually lasts three days, but the fifth annual event was shortened this year to accommodate retailers who found three days away from work too daunting.

"We're packing the same amount of events and training into a smaller amount of time," Poel told Christian Retailing. "It's unique this year. Condensing things has also enabled us to create some attractive breakfast and lunch events in addition to the typical evening showcases."

Munce, a marketing group that represents 600 independent Christian bookstores around the country, holds CPE once annually for its member retailers and CPE Regional events for unaffiliated stores during the winter.

Poel said attendance has increased slightly each year for the annual CPE event, with pre-registration up this year from 2006. Approximately 135-150 stores pre-registered, which translates to about 250 retailers in attendance this year, Poel added. He noted that the number of exhibitors-66 vendors occupying 72 booths-is comparable to last year's figures.

This year's CPE features several artists, including Jars of Clay, Steven Curtis Chapman, Point of Grace and Mandisa. The workshops will address everything from store atmosphere-a session led by David Amster, founder of the retail-consulting group Integra GP-to a workshop by best-selling fiction author Karen Kingsbury on ministering to the spiritual needs of customers.

The workshops were to begin today and the show floor was due to open this afternoon, but organizers held a golf tournament and worship service yesterday. Despite occasional showers, retailers golfed with celebrity guests such as author Hank Hanegraaff and actress and author Lisa Whelchel, who won the "closest to the pin" contest.

A worship service led by Nashville-area pastor Jamie George and musicians Phillip and Natalie LaRue, formerly of the band LaRue, was also held last night, drawing about 250 people, Poel said.

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