Spring Road Trip 2026
Partner with us!
Hi Industry Friends!
Scroll this page for our full list of Spring Road Trip opportunities
MIBA's Spring Road Trip is a partnership with
Sower Books, The University of Nebraska Press, and YOU!
Estimated attendance
- Our expected Spring Road Trip attendance is 80 booksellers plus industry partners
Deadlines
-
Author pitch deadline: February 20th
- Expect invites between 2/23 and 2/27/26.
- Attendee Registration Deadline: April 3rd
Drive times
- Madison: 7.25 hours
- Milwaukee: 10 hours
- Iowa City: 4.5 hours
- Chicago: 8 hours
- Des Moines: 3 hours
- Minneapolis/St Paul: 6.5 hours
- Omaha: 1 hours
- Kansas City: 3 hours
- Sioux Falls: 3.5 hours
- Fargo: 6.75 hours
Meeting locations
We're meeting primarily at the historic University of Nebraska Union. Additional locations to be added soon!
- University of Nebraska Union
- 1400 R Street
Lincoln, NE 68588
- 1400 R Street
Lodging
We are offering a room block at The Lincoln Marriott Cornhusker Hotel (333 S 13th St, Lincoln, NE 68508). Use the link below to book your room today!
- Book here
- $109/night
- Deadline to book is Monday, April 20, 2026
Airports
- Primary option: Lincoln Airport (LNK) in Lincoln, NE
- Secondary option: Eppley Field (OMA) in Omaha, NE
Industry/Rep Picks Lunches
Industry members spotlight their titles, sidelines, and/or services over lunch Wednesday 13th. There to be ample time to address all attendees and share materials.
- Reps will be placed on a first-come, first-served basis
- Register for the Spring Road Trip by April 3rd to be considered
- The cost is $150
- Check "Industry Lunch Participation Request" during registration to let us know you want to participate
- You'll get a confirmation from us by April 10th, 2026
All sponsors receive the following:
- Recognition on our website: Your logo is featured on the event's main page and on the registration page
- Recognition in our communications: Recognition in all digital marketing and the program/schedule
- Recognition at the event: Your featured item of choice at the registration desk (galley, swag, brochure, etc.)
Add a sponsorship to your cart
Additional perks listed with each option below:
Principal Spring Road Trip Sponsor / $2,000
|
Bookstore Tour Sponsor / $1,500
|
Round Robin Sponsor / $1,500
|
Tote Sponsor / You supply tote bags for our attendees
|
Thought Leader / $1,000
|
Bookseller Travel Sponsor / $500
|
We have three paid author placement opportunities
Opening Keynote and Closing Keynote / $1,300
Two programs dedicated to a small number of marquee authors, a maximum of 2 per event. These bookends will be the highlights of Spring Road Trip 2026. Moderation and format style to be decided in collaboration with authors. Each author will be hosted at a signing table after the program.
Round Robin / $600
Authors will answer a question curated for them by another author, then present their book to all attendees, then ask the next author a question of their own.
We will have between 6 and 10 authors and the time they are given will be equally divided among them.
The event will last 60-75 minutes, depending on the number of authors.
Each author will be given ~8 minutes, but we'll share exact times when we have exact numbers.
Each author will be hosted at a signing table after the program.
Demonstration or Panelist / $400
Authors will be on a panel and/or lead demonstrations, possibly with other authors and experts in the same area.
The potential topics are endless, just like our TBRs!
Some examples: how to sell a certain type of book, how to make a certain craft, various self-care practices, leadership skills, and so many more possibilities.
Author pitch deadline
February 20, 2026
Benefits
Each confirmed author placement receives the following exposure across all 380+ of our member bookstores, not just event attendees, from the time of confirmation through the event.
- Custom graphic with your author/title hosted on our website
- Features in our weekly newsletters
- All titles are included in Edelweiss collection circulated to all MIBA booksellers
- Special author features will be sent to booksellers routinely. We're happy to include blurbs, trailers, links to assets, etc.
- Access to our bookstore member list
- Authors and titles featured on the Spring Road Trip 2026 Wrap-Up website page
Tips
- Availability; when possible, please confirm your authors are able to attend before you pitch them
- Representation matters. Pitch a diverse range of authors to increase your placement chances
Details
- Estimated attendance: 80-100 booksellers plus industry staff
- Galleys: If you are able to supply 60 galleys for all attendees, we encourage it. We request a minimum of 50 galleys. In addition, please supply a galley request form for booksellers who can't attend to request a galley, whether it's paper or electronic. A shipping address will be provided upon confirmation.
- Additional opportunities: All authors are invited to join us at all the social opportunities (plus publishers can host bookseller/author dinners as they prefer)