 ‘Persevering’ Dutch organization makes changes, welcomes cooperation in the face of economy and challenges
BCB—the primary association of Dutch Christian retailers and suppliers—has revamped its consumer fair, while dropping a planned Christian Bookstore Day. The organization, which has run trade shows for 35 years, changed the name of its Christian Book & Music Festival in 2010 to Lees & Luisterbeurs or Read & Listen Fair. Additionally, the location of the annual fall consumers’ fair—BCB’s highest-attended event with approximately 3,000 visitors—was switched to a new location from IJsselhallen in Zwolle to Reehorst in Ede. “It was not the economy that made us change the concept of the consumer fair,” said Els de Jong-van Gurp, director of BCB—which represents the Netherlands in the Christian Trade Association International (CTAI). “The reason for the changes was to find a new concept that fitted better in new ideas of marketing. The economy then was a reason to also cut the costs.” The association—which has approximately 240 member bookstores—also cancelled its first Christian Bookstore Day in 2010 because of lack of support. “We needed more than 50% of the bookstores to support it, but it was much less than 50%,” de Jong-van Gurp said. “Maybe our plan for a bookstore day was not attractive enough for the bookstores. We’re now looking for a new way to develop a bookstore day.” Despite the changes, de Jong-van Gurp said that BCB’s two regional trade shows in February and two more in September were going strong. “The number of attendees is stable, with slight fluctuations,” she said. “We are persevering, despite the economy and challenges.” The Netherlands has approximately 300 Christian bookstores, and about 100 publishers are members of BCB. “We are grateful for the high number of Christian bookstores in our small country,” de Jong-van Gurp said. “Many shops are just small, but they provide Christian product in a strong network through the whole country. I am also very grateful for the tendency to cooperate (between) booksellers and publishers.” CTAI Chief Operations Officer Kim Pettit commended the association for revamping its Christian Book & Music Festival. “BCB found a new location and lowered the prices for participation in its book fair last year (2010) based on the feedback it received to its revamped fair the prior year,” she told Christian Retailing. “The result was a resounding success, affirming that no other organization provides the depth and breadth of initiatives that BCB does to advance the reach of Christian literature in the country.” Pettit noted that the association “accomplishes so much every year on behalf of its members.” “BCB unites all aspects of the industry in ways that serve as a model for cooperation and fostering the engagement and appreciation of the church for Christian literature, gifts, music and other resources,” she said. “It has a tremendous impact in the Netherlands.” BCB was formed in 2005 after the merger of two trade associations—CLK (Christian Lecture Contact) and SCB (Cooperating Christian Booksellers).
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