Advance 2006 kicks off at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center with an opening celebration tonight that will include Watermark and the Crabb Family.

Independents Day, a training event for independent bookstores, takes place tomorrow, while Expo, the trade-show portion of the convention, will open tomorrow evening with 200 exhibitors, including 36 first-time exhibitors.

The event, which concludes on Saturday, will close with Future of the Industry. Industry leaders will hear from such speakers as Hollywood movie critic Michael Medved, Nashville entertainment attorney Randy Smith and America's Research Group founder Britt Beemer.

“The past year was another tough one for many CBA member stores,” said CBA President and CEO Bill Anderson. “Advance 2006 is all about creating more momentum for our stores, and about re-energizing ourselves to be even better retailers and make the most of the opportunities God will give us in 2006. Advance helps retailers and suppliers see the big picture, and offers attendees high-level market intelligence on which to base sound and creative business decisions.”

Christian Etailing will include special reports from the show every day this week.

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