Thomas Nelson to Host First Open House for Retailers

by Lynn Garrett, Religion BookLine -- Publishers Weekly, 12/19/2007

The invitations have gone out for Thomas Nelson's first Open House, a gathering of Christian retailers to be held in Nashville April 10-12. Nelson is offering to cover all expenses—airfare, hotel and meals—for two employees from each invited store among its top accounts. They will meet with Nelson authors, industry experts and company executives.

CEO Michael Hyatt announced the event this past February when Nelson bowed out of CBA's winter trade show, CBA Expo. That began an exodus of other exhibitors that led to CBA's cancellation of the trade show, which has been replaced by a conference for retailers in Indianapolis (Jan. 28-30)

Gary Davidson, senior v-p of Christian retail store sales and chairman of the Open House committee, told RBL, "We are reallocating funds from something that we discovered was not working to create something beneficial for us and our Christian retail partners. We are making an investment to strengthen these retailers with a better understanding of industry trends, merchandising strategies and Thomas Nelson product." Davidson said 150 to 200 key retailers are expected to attend.

Davidson also noted the event would allow more employees to come into contact with the retailers. "This will help our people better understand the unique needs of this channel and how we can help."