Scores of author appearances are hoped to draw upward of 10,000 people to the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association's (ECPA) first Christian Book Expo at the Dallas Convention Center, March 20-22, 2009.

More than 150 events including workshops, presentations and panel discussions will feature authors at the expo, where books will be on sale to members of the public. Organizers believe the consumer-focused show will help promote awareness of Christian books among the surprisingly high number of Christians they say are not familiar with such resources.

“The key element is working to provide consumers and churches with an experience with an author or a message so that they are enthusiastic about the material, hopefully purchase it, but even more importantly recommend the material (to others),” said ECPA President Mark Kuyper.

He said that he hoped about 100 publishers would participate, and that Christian retailers would be invited to be part of the expo. Media, ministries and representatives of networks interested in Christian materials would also be welcomed to the event, he added.

The ECPA has been working on plans for the event in cooperation with the Spanish Evangelical Products Association, whose annual Expolit convention has successfully combined a trade and consumer show for many years.