Our events and programs are designed to strengthen and celebrate independent bookstores
Each fall, we join with our neighboring indie bookselling association to host the Heartland Fall Forum, one of the largest and most exciting regional trade shows in the country. Representing more than 350 bookstores across a 13-state region, the show features in-depth education, an show floor of more than 70 exhibitors, and a series of author events.
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Our annual winter catalog is an advertising tool that allows publishers to dramatically increase their opportunity for holiday sales. It's also a marketing tool that inexpensively allows bookstores to have a professional piece created just for them and distributed directly to their customers.
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To connect with booksellers and help publishers promote authors whose books are released in spring and summer, we host a series of programs every spring. All members are welcome to attend, as well a nonmembers interested in joining the association.
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The Indie Bookstore Roadmap is a full-color, 22" x 28" marketing piece featuring original illustrations of all MIBA bookstores as well as other bookstores in our region. It is freely distributed to bookstores and given to customers, and features a year-long campaign to drive customers to indie bookstores. Publishers are invited to advertise on the back of the map.
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Midwest Connections is a co-op program that gives booksellers tools to display and merchandise participating titles as well as cash rebates for their promotions. Through branded displays, point-of-sale materials, and rebates for premiere placement, we help books get special treatment in our member stores. The program is one of the most effective methods of drawing bookseller attention to titles with regional interest.
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Each year, our booksellers celebrate their favorite books of the year that pertain to our region. Our awards are a reflection of handselling at its best, as all the books are selected directly by independent booksellers.
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Bookseller of the Year Award
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Every year, MIBA honors one bookseller of a member bookstore with the Bookseller of the Year Award. This award will recognize excellence and innovation in bookselling, customer service, industry influence, community engagement, and supporting the literary tradition.
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