Come to NVNR: A Letter from Eileen Dengler, Executive Director, NAIBA

During my days running the ABA convention, the United States Secretary of Defense sat with his wife, a publisher of children’s books, at a small press table in the convention hall. I was privy to his presence because I had to work with the Secret Service. Out of curiosity, I took a stroll over to peek, and there he sat with a briefcase chained to his wrist, taking time to support his wife and talk about her books.

If he could find the time to come to a book convention, I think we all can.

I confess. I am a homebody. I started working from home 30 years ago and haven’t left. It takes an act of NAIBA to get me to leave the routine and comfort of my home.

But I love bookseller meetings. On the road, I’m free from emails, group chats, and phone calls. I’m thinking about the agenda and who I’m going to meet. It’s a chance to let my mind wander. During the meetings, I’m a different person than the one sitting at home at her desk, bemoaning the lack of more hours in a day to get the work done. I’m energized, inspired, and buzzing with new ideas. I get to know a few more people a little bit better, and the new surroundings help clear my head. By the time I return home, my enthusiasm for what I do year-round has truly benefited from being in our amazing community of booksellers.

If you love bookselling, if you want to fall back in love with bookselling, if you want to see the future of bookselling, come to New Voices New Rooms. We’ll greet you with open arms and show you the best four days of your August 2025 life.