End-of-show statistics seemed to bear out the sense of optimism reported by many suppliers and retailers during the two-and-a-half-day Expo trade show of CBA Advance.

Although total professional attendance dipped slightly by 2% from last year-down to 1,512 from 1,536-the number of buying companies rose significantly from 589 to 705. Fifty new companies were among the 225 exhibitors who took 519 booth spaces, 16 spaces less than in 2004. International visitors were down nine, to 105.

The biggest increase was among exhibition personnel, up from 2,139 to 2,757, a jump attributed to the ease of access afforded many Nashville-area suppliers.

"There's a sense of can-do and optimism," said CBA President Bill Anderson of the show. "Stores have spent the last couple of years adjusting to the new dynamics and are running a better business. They know they have to be here to keep the big picture and keep their passion and optimism up."

Barbara Tyson, from Aunt Bee's Blessing Shop in Maggie Valley, N.C., said the floor seemed busier than at last year's event in Indianapolis. "We have accomplished a lot," she said. "We have come up with some new products, and we have seen some new vendors, which has been good."

Jay Heinlein, director of sales for NavPress, said: "I'm really excited about some of the innovative strategies that the independent bookstores are developing and the systems that CBA and some of the groups like Parable, Munce and Covenant are bringing to the table. I think they are doing the right kind of things to run smarter businesses."

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