CBA Advance, divided into three separate events, saw mixed results in attendance this year.

Future of the Industry, which was moved to the beginning of the week for the first time, saw a significant 47% increase with 181 attendees compared to 123 last year, including a jump in retail attendance in particular, CBA officials said.

Expo, the trade-show portion of the event, experienced a decrease in professional attendance, which was 1091, down 21% from 2006 when there was a turnout of 1,452. However, international attendance was up 12%, with 146 registrants for the booksellers' trade association's winter event, which was held in Indianapolis last week. The number of international visitors was 130 in 2006.

Independents Day ended the week, drawing 256 retailers. Last year 359 retailers attended Independents Day.

“While both Future of the Industry and Independents Day were very strong, we are not satisfied with the attendance at Expo. We put together a tremendous event with significant strategic and tactical impact, according to the on-site feedback of our retail attendees, but we're disappointed that more retailers weren't there to take advantage of it,” said CBA President and CEO Bill Anderson, suggesting that the struggling economies of states within driving distance of Indianapolis may have contributed to the low attendance.

Having “done a lot of listening to our customers” during Advance week, Anderson said that “trade shows today have to keep changing to respond to a variety of ever-evolving factors that impact how shows are used. We will continue focusing our attention to what best serves our retailers and the needs of the entire industry.”

Advance 2008 is again set for the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis on Jan. 28-Feb. 1.

Read the full report on CBA Advance 2007 in the March 5 issue of Christian Retailing.

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