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Public Lands Alliance Convention & Trade Show: A Recap

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On February 27th and 28th, IPG exhibited at the 2018 Public Lands Alliance (PLA) Show in Palm Springs, CA at the Renaissance Hotel and Covention Center. PLA takes place each year during the association’s annual convention, and in between workshops and speakers, members of national parks and public lands take time to peruse the trade show hall.

I received numerous orders and sample requests for both backlist and frontlist titles. Mainly buyers are here to see new products and request samples, as well as take advantage of show specials to restock for their busy seasons. Most buyers tend to be on the lookout for things that apply specifically to their parks, so with many of the parks located in the western region, they were excited to see selections that were of Native American interest, as well as books on rocks, gems, and fossils.

Many long-time IPG customers visited the booth with orders, including Grand Teton Association, Great Smoky Mountains Association, and Theodore Roosevelt Association. Sample requests came from Petrified Forest Association, Capitol Reef Association, and more. The buying process for public lands differs significantly from traditional book trade and gift markets. Public lands accounts must review finished books prior to stocking them in their stores, and need to review new products on a set schedule that varies based on the individual organization. Some accounts review new products as they arrive, others review quarterly, while still others review only once or twice per year. And many have a panel of folks or board members that must vet the product for approval so the request for sample orders is key to new orders.

PLA will be held next February in Denver, CO.

For more information, please contact Special Sales Representative Will Fancher at [email protected] or 312.337.0747 x205.

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