Thomas Nelson's Women of Faith (WoF) and Revolve Tour conferences for women and young women, respectively, face a transitional year in 2010, while Zondervan prepares to launch a new event after divesting itself of others.

The majority of Women of Faith meetings for 2010 have been pushed to the fall, while the Revolve Tour has been postponed to 2011. Keeping a close eye on the changing calendar are retailers, who see increased sales surrounding weekend events near their stores.

Leslie Nunn Reed, vice president of live events for Thomas Nelson, said that the WoF and Revolve brands--including books, Bibles and music--have proved to sell more at retail than at the actual events. Retailers could benefit by placing products by conference speakers and guests in displays before and after the event, she said.

In conjunction with its revision of the New International Version (NIV), Zondervan is preparing to roll out in 2011 The Story, a multi-city tour with speakers and music tied to its 2008 Bible release, which tells the biblical story in chronological order. The new venture, preceded by a church curriculum campaign from pastor Randy Frazee and author Max Lucado, is a step forward after the company recently transitioned out of youth worker events.

"We're hoping to have a 25-city tour," said Jason Vines, vice president of communications and public relations for Zondervan. "It's coming together, but we don't have anything to announce."

Read the full report in the February issue of Christian Retailing.

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