During several events, publishers hosted networking opportunities at the International Christian Retail Show (ICRS) for their authors, industry leaders and publishing partners.

On Sunday, Harvest House Publishers hosted an open-house author brunch attended by around 200 at the Orange County Convention Center and featuring approximately 20 of its authors, including Eric and Leslie Ludy, Sharon Jaynes and Elizabeth George.

Barb Sherrill, vice president of marketing, told Christian Retailing that the event is about making "connections between people, authors and people who promote or sell the books-people who would otherwise never meet."

On Monday evening, Baker Publishing Group shuttled more than 150 people to Disney's Epcot for its Baker Author Dinner. Authors included Melody Carlson, Robin Jones Gunn, Eva Marie Everson, Linda Evans Shepherd, Robin Parrish and Stephen James, who led the group in prayer.

Baker President Dwight Baker greeted the group, sharing an inspirational thought about Christian publishing inspired by a family camping trip. After dinner, the group was led to a fireworks viewing area for the park's Illuminations fireworks show.