Heartland Fall Forum 2026 - Attendee Registration
GLIBA & MIBA booksellers, industry partners, & authors register here!
30 South 7th Street, Minneapolis MN 55402
* Registration open until 9/11/26 at 12:00 AM (CDT)
We've streamlined our registration and accounting processes for 2026 so are no longer using Eventleaf. Click the "Register Now" button in the blue box above to register for Heartland Fall Forum.
Everyone must be logged-in to register for Heartland Fall Forum.
Booksellers must be a member of MIBA, or GLIBA, or both to attend. A bill for membership(s) will be created and sent to you if your membership is not current. If you are in a state that both MIBA and GLIBA serve, we will reach out about your membership options.
All exhibitors must be members of both MIBA and GLIBA to attend. If one or both of your membership(s) are not current, a bill for membership(s) will be created and sent to you.
Location:
All Heartland programming, except the Bookstore Bus Tours and Opening Night Party, will take place at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center: 30 South 7th Street, Minneapolis MN 55402.
Agenda
| October 6 | |
| 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM |
FREE Dungeon Crawler Carl Pre-Con Event
The Dungeon Crawler Carl series will come to life in a new & absurd way. Complete team challenges, earn XP, and try not to get killed by goblins. The Syndicate is watching. So is Donut. Only one is rooting for you. A gamemaster-led experience with hilarious tasks & thoughtful discussion — plus, you'll be in bed by 10pm (if your team survives, that is). If you've read the series, or if you haven't, all are welcome. Slots are limited — reserve early! |
| October 7 | |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Friends of Bill |
| 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM | Registration Desk Open Check-in, grab your tote bag, get your badge! |
| 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Owners' Retreat -- 1 to 5 Years
For those who have owned a bookstore for 1-5 years, this retreat is a must attend for newer owners looking to strengthen their foundation, build community, and gain real world knowledge from both peers and seasoned booksellers. There will be an education session on Thursday 10/8/2026 for bookstore owners in their first year. |
| 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Owners' Retreat -- 5+ Years
For those who have owned a bookstore for over 5 years, this retreat is a collaborative, solutions-focused retreat designed for experienced bookstore owners navigating the evolving demands of long-term leadership. There will be an education session on Thursday 10/8/2026 for bookstore owners in their first year. |
| 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Events Retreat
For booksellers who plan and execute events of all sizes, the Events Retreat offers a dedicated space to exchange ideas, learn best practices, and better understand publisher partnerships. This is an essential session for anyone looking to elevate their store’s events programs ranging from large scale author tours to creative community events. |
| 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Buyers' Retreat
Join fellow bookstore buyers for a focused, 3-hour retreat designed to foster peer learning, practical education, and deeper industry connections. This program is designed for buyers eager to sharpen skills, share strategies, and explore the evolving art and economics of buying. |
| 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM |
Managers' Retreat
The Managers' Retreat offers bookstore managers a space to connect, reflect, and build strategies for leading with confidence and clarity. Ideal for managers at any level, this retreat is designed to support the real-life demands of frontline leadership in indie bookstores. |
| 12:30 PM - 5:00 PM |
Twin Cities Bookstore Tour
Check out our brave & hard-working Twin Cities Bookstores! If you love seeing how other bookstores do things and want to share the ride with old and new bookseller and industry friends, this is the event for you! Tour stops for each bus are still being determined. When they are finalized, you will be given the opportunity to choose your tour. Each will be limited by bus capacity on a first come-first serve basis. |
| 5:30 PM - 6:15 PM | Heartland Orientation First time at the event? Let us walk you through some how-to's and ideas to make the most of it! |
| 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM |
Heartland Book Awards Ceremony
Celebrate our award winning authors and the recipient of the 2026 Voice of the Heartland honor. Publishers and booksellers, nominate your favorites here. The deadline to submit titles ends 6/30/26. |
| 8:00 PM - 11:00 PM |
Open Night Party
Sponsored by Milkweed Editions! Kick off Heartland Fall Forum at Open Book in Minneapolis. Celebrate being together with drinks, bites, and camaraderie. Open to all attendees! |
| October 8 | |
| 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM | Registration Desk Open Check-in, grab your tote bag, get your badge! |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Friends of Bill |
| 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM | Marquee Author Breakfast A ticketed event featuring marquee authors in conversation about their work, followed by signings. |
| 10:00 AM - 10:50 AM | First Series of Education Break-Outs Four concurrent sessions. |
| 11:00 AM - 11:50 AM | Second Series of Education Break-Outs Four concurrent sessions. |
| 12:00 PM - 12:50 PM | Third Series of Education Break-Outs Four concurrent sessions. |
| 1:15 PM - 2:15 PM | Rep Picks Lunch Mandatory and free for Booksellers. Reps will pitch their hottest forthcoming titles. Rep Picks Lunch will take place in three rooms. Check your badge for your room assignment. |
| 2:30 PM - 5:30 PM | Trade Show Floor Open Visit a variety of exhibitors and check-out the author signings! |
| 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM | Evening Author Reception A free event for all attendees featuring five authors and engaging emcee. Followed by signings. |
| 9:30 PM - 11:30 PM |
Quiz Bowl
Sponsored by Booksnarx! Engage with formidable literary trivia at our annual competition. Hop onto a team of up to six at the event or prepare your perfect team ahead of time. All are invited! No registration necessary. |
| October 9 | |
| 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM | Registration Desk Open Check-in, grab your tote bag, get your badge! |
| 7:00 AM - 8:00 AM | Friends of Bill |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | GLIBA Membership Meeting Open to all GLIBA members! |
| 8:00 AM - 9:00 AM | MIBA Membership Meeting Open to all MIBA members! |
| 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM | Marquee Author Brunch A ticketed event featuring marquee authors in conversation about their work, followed by signings. |
| 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM | Trade Show Floor Open Visit a variety of exhibitors and check-out the author signings! |
| 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM | Authors' Afternoon Tea This ticketed event is a fun, intimate, tradition (also known as The Moveable Feast)! Forty authors visit tables of booksellers to introduce their new titles. |
Registration Options
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Registration Options
|
Price |
|---|---|
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Exhibitor Registration
Purchase a joint MIBA/GLIBA membership here -- we will set up your memberships on the back end. If one or both of your membership(s) are not current, a bill for membership(s) will be created and sent to you. |
FREE |
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MIBA Bookseller Registration
This is the MIBA bookseller registration. |
FREE |
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GLIBA Bookseller Registration
This is the GLIBA bookseller attendee form. You must create an account to register. Thank you! |
FREE |
Product Add-ons
| Add-ons | Price |
|---|---|
| 10/6/26 FREE Dungeon Crawler Carl Pre-Con Event View Product | FREE |
| 10/7/26 Owners' Retreat -- 1 to 5 Years View Product | $25.00 |
| 10/7/26 Owners' Retreat -- 5+ Years View Product | $25.00 |
| 10/7/26 Events Retreat View Product | $25.00 |
| 10/7/26 Buyers' Retreat View Product | $25.00 |
| 10/7/26 Managers' Retreat View Product | $25.00 |
| 10/7/26 Twin Cities Bookstore Tour View Product | $50.00 |
| 10/8/26 Marquee Author Breakfast Admission, with Meal View Product | $75.00 |
| 10/8/26 Marquee Author Breakfast Admission, without Meal View Product | $30.00 |
| 10/9/26 Marquee Author Brunch Admission, with Meal View Product | $75.00 |
| 10/9/26 Marquee Author Brunch Admission, without Meal View Product | $30.00 |
| 10/9/26 Authors' Afternoon Tea Admission View Product | $75.00 |
| Exhibitor Boxed Lunch View Product | $70.00 |
We have reserved a block of discounted rooms at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center Hotel.
- Book here
- $239/night
- Deadline to book is September 14th, 2026
Have Questions? Here's who to connect with:
Larry Law (he/him)
Executive Director at GLIBA
Education, Heartland Booksellers Award, Voice of the Heartland, Rep Picks, Exhibitors, Quiz Bowl, Scholarships
February Spikener (she/her/they/them)
Executive Coordinator at GLIBA
Exhibitors, Exhibit Hall, Author Placement
Grace Hagen (she/her)
Executive Director at MIBA
Venue, Agenda, Author Placement, Sponsorships, Promotions, Memberships, Scholarships
Melissa Oppenheimer (she/her)
melissa@midwestbooksellers.org
Digital Marketing and Outreach Specialist at MIBA
Registration, Heartland Staff and Volunteer Management
Nellie Richthammer (she/her)
Operations Specialist at MIBA
Registration, Billing, Badges
All participants are bound by the Heartland Fall Forum Code of Conduct and Photo and Video Release.