TUESDAY 12 JUNE 2012
Commence time 2.45 - 3.55
OPTION 1
Title - GIFT & CARD PRODUCT
Wise buying, creative display and making the saleSynopsis
Gift & card items are essential lines for Christian stores to encourage footfall, add-on sales
and profit. This seminar will help you in making the most of their potential, includng:• Sourcing new product lines
• Buying wisely without over-stocking
• Creative displays
• Catering for all ages and tastes
• Working with your suppliers
• What to do with unsold linesSpeaker - Jon Adams, Sales Manager, Teal Press
Jon Adams has many years experience of the Christian trade having previously worked for
Wesley Owen, Word, STL Distribution and is now the Sales Manager for Teal Press.
OPTION 2
Title - VOLUNTARY STAFF – IS THIS THE WAY FORWARD OR NOT?
The benefits and challenges of using volunteer staffSynopsis
Using volunteer staff may seem to be the most efficient and cost effective way to staff your shop
six days a week but it as simple as it seems? Are quality people that easy to find with retail
experience and able to regularly commit to one, two or three days a week or more? This seminar
will help answer these questions and others, including:• Where and how to advertise for voluntary staff.
• What standards should you expect from volunteers?
• What training do they require?
• What are their legal rights?
• What do you do when it doesn’t work out?
• Are volunteers they way forward for the future?Speaker - Georgia Boon, Head of Volunteering, Oxfam
Georgia is Head of Volunteering & Trading Internal Communication for Oxfam. Whilst studying
English Literature and Classical Civilisation at Glasgow University with the aim of going into
publishing Georgia became a volunteer in the Glasgow Oxfam bookshop. After graduating
she continued as an Oxfam volunteer in her home town of Henley-on-Thames before becoming
the Manager of the Reading shop. Today Georgia oversees the volunteer programme for the
Oxfam shops across the UK but her passion remains with the work of the shops, volunteers and
meeting the customers.
Hosted by - Hilary Mitchell, Oasis, Tiptree EssexHilary Mitchell is the founder and Manager of the Oasis Christian Bookshop in Tiptree which is
staffed by volunteers.
Hosted by - Stephen Briars, Event Organiser, CRT
Stephen Briars has over 35 years experience of working within the Christian publishing & supply
trade
OPTION 3
Title - HOW DO THEY KNOW YOU ARE THERE?
Don’t grumble when the churches or local community doesn’t support you – be positive, do
something about it.Synopsis
It is understandable to feel disappointed or let down when your shop doesn’t appear to get the
support from your local churches and others in the community but are you doing enough to make
them aware you are there? This seminar will not spend time looking at the problems but rather concentrate on the opportunities; just exactly what can be done that is both time and cost effective
to put our shops on the map?Speaker - Chris Jewell, New Dawn Bookshop & Connection Coffee House, Greenock
Chris Jewell runs the New Horizon Marketing Consultancy, is a Director of New Vision Print &
Publishing Limited and Manages the New Dawn Bookshop and Connection Coffee House in
Greenock, Scotland. Chris is a regular contributor to the Christian Marketplace magazine.
OPTION 4
Title - SO YOU THINK YOU UNDERSTAND CHRISTIAN BOOKSELLING
Q & A session with representatives from publishers and retailers on th challenges and opportunities facing UK Christian publishing and retailing.Synopsis
An opportunity to put your questions to a panel of experts for across the trade representing
publishing, gift & card suppliers, independent retailers and retail groups. How do they see the
future of our trade? There will be an opportunity to submit your questions in advance.
Host - The session is hosted by Rev. Corin Child, Chairman of the Association of Christian
Writers and Vicar of St John’s, Kings Lynn
WEDNESDAY 13 JUNE 2012
Commence time 10.15 - 11.25
Title - ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKING – FAD OR FUTURE?
Understanding the value of of Social Networking for marketing & selling books.Synopsis
Mel Menzies & Fiona Veitch Smith will give a presentation on how to network online from an
author's perspective and what opportunities are available for publishers and retailers. The nuts
and bolts of setting up and running a blog will be shown as well as the ethics of participating in
online communities such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Participants will be encouraged to
define and find their customers online and will be given tips on ways to start reaching them.Speakers
Merrilyn Williams who also writes as Mel Menzies
Mel Menzies is a multi-published author. An inspirational Keynote Speaker and contributor to
BBC Radio shows, she has led Creative Writing Courses, Marriage Enrichment classes and
Family Forums. She also blogs regularly on "creative writing and publishing books".
Fiona Fiona Veitch Smith
Fiona Veitch Smith writes across all media including magazines, books, theatre and short films.
Her writing advice website The Crafty Writer attracts visitors from across the world as do her free
online courses in creative and non-fiction writing. Fiona also lectures in writing for the media at
Newcastle University and scriptwriting at Northumbria University. Fiona and her husband have
recently launched an indie publishing company called Craft Publishing.
Note
This seminar takes place at the same as the BA-CBG Retailer’s AGM and the Christian
Suppliers Group meeting and is intended for those not involved in either of the meetings.
Commence time 11.40 – 12.45
OPTION 1
Title - CHRISTIAN FICTION – FANTASTIC OR FLAWED?
Christian fiction is often labelled as weak and poorly written, is this still the case?Synopsis
What is your opinion of Christian fiction, is it something you only carry a few copies of to represent
the genre or do you acknowledge it as a bestselling category? This seminar led by Anne Rogers
from Lion Hudson will answer these questions and give your fiction sales a new edge within your
store. Anne will be joined by Christian historical fiction and leg thriller writer, Davis Bunn whose
books have sold 7 million copies worldwide.Speakers
Anne Rogers, Fiction Co-ordinator Lion Hudson
Davis Bunn, Author
Davis Bunn is a writer of Christian historical fiction and legal thrillers and has sold 7 million copies
of his books world-wide. He has co-written books with Janette Oke and is a three times winner of
the Christy Award. His books are published by Bethany House and distributed in the UK by Lion
Hudson. Davis is writer in residence at Regent's Park College, Oxford and lives with his wife,
Isabella in the Cotswolds.
OPTION 2
Title - PULLING IN THE SAME DIRECTION
Find out how a bookshop Manager, Management Committee and Trustees are working together to
build a successful and sustainable Christian bookshop in Eastbourne.Synopsis
Running an independent Christian bookstore in today’s economic climate for retailing would be described by many as challenging. There are however many stores that are successfully facing
the challenge head on, one of which is the Christian Resource Centre, Eastbourne that was
established over 60 years ago. In this seminar Bob Clark, the shop Manager with Clem Jackson, Trustee and Chris Hartington from their Management Committee will share with you a business
model that works.Speakers
Bob Clark, Manager
Christian Resource Centre, Eastbourne
Clem Jackson
Trustee of Christian Resource Centre, Eastbourne editor of the Christian Marketplace magazine.
Chris Hartington
Management Committee Member, Christian Resource Centre, Eastbourne, having previously
been manager of the Manna House Christian Bookshop, Northampton and a sales representative
for Kingsway.
OPTION 3
Title - TOWARDS EXCELLENCE: BEST BUSINESS PRACTICE A LEGAL AUDIT
Synopsis
Rob gives guidance on how best to set up, structure and operate your business from a legal
perspective, to ensure compliance with the increasing amount of legislation affecting businesses
and their owners.
Topics include:
Business structures - Ltd Co., LLP, partnership, sole trader
Not for profit structures - Co Ltd by guarantee, Community
Interest Companies, Charities
Legal essentials on setting up your organisation - a checklist
Key Contracts - terms & conditions with customers, dealing with
debtors and creditors, credit control tips
Employment – outline of duties and responsibilities of an employer.
What about volunteers?Property – owning/renting property, and issues to be aware of.
Q & A’s
Speaker
Rob Andrews, Director, Andrews Law Solicitors
Rob is a Director of Andrews Law Solicitors specialising in business law with expertise in media
& entertainment, advising record labels & bands, and visual media and broadcasting organisations.
He is now Legal Consultant to the Christian Broadcasting Council of the UK and is a trustee of Cross Rhythms City Radio, a community radio station. He also specialises on charity law, dealing with
setting up charities and advising on regulatory issues. Rob is also a regular contributor to the
Christian Marketplace magazine.
OPTION 4
Title - RAISING THE BAR
What is required from writers, publishers and retailers to achieve the Gold Standard in Christian
book sales?Synopsis
This Q & A session is an opportunity to put your questions to a panel of experts for across the
trade representing publishing, distributors and retailers on the future of Christian publishing.
Questions to include:• The future of the printed page
• Publishing to engage with today’s church
• Where do the next generation of writers come from?Hosted by
Tony Collins, Editorial Director, Monarch / Lion Hudson
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