Bridge-Logos Publishers has announced that it will be providing financial assistance to five independent Christian retail stores that may not be able to afford a trip to the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS). The stores will be selected by Bridge-Logos from its CBA accounts list and by advice from its sales reps.

Lloyd Hildebrand, Bridge-Logos CEO and Publisher, said that the company wanted every bookseller who wished to attend the July 13-17 event in Orlando, Fla., to be able to do so. It seemed "impractical and unwise" for exhibitors to spend thousands of dollars on displays for the event while not offering assistance to retailers to be there, he said.

Bridge-Logos is planning to establish an ICRS Travel Assistance Program to encourage other vendors to make similar efforts for stores. The program will generate proceeds from vendors to be divided among retailers who apply for assistance.

A list of vendors who participate will be posted on the program's Web site and sent to all stores receiving assistance. Although the Web site is not finished, the future address will be www.ICRSAssist.com.