The post-conference feedback about New Voices New Rooms is usually enthusiastic, but NVNR has never received the kind of outpouring of praise from attendees that is has this year.
Here are fifteen things –just a small part of the responses we received — that people had to say about NVNR 2025:
"This was so helpful as a new bookstore owner. Everything was so smoothly organized, I learned so much, and I met a million other bookstore owners who all had so much great advice. I’m so glad I made the time to come, even though it meant closing the bookstore for those days I was gone. It was so worth it."
"I had a blast. The organization of the event was solid, and there were plenty of opportunities built in to connect and chat (which was important to me)."
"The education panels were truly great. I was excited about them, but I think the diverse selection of panels was great. I was able to attend four very different panels and come back with a notebook’s worth of notes!"
"I really enjoyed the sessions where store owners/employees or reps of publishers shared real-life experiences and real solutions they found to navigate hurdles in our industry."
" It was helpful to network with other stores and industry professionals. It gave me a good perspective on how our business is doing in a wider industry context, and I got actionable ideas to bring back to my store."
"The General Managers’ Retreat was fascinating and helpful, and I found that it was a really good way of getting ideas and learning things. I think the education this year was some of the best I have ever seen, especially anything dealing with the more business-y side of things, like terms for accounts and turns."
"I found so much value in the conference and will absolutely make this a priority going forward! It was incredibly well done, moved efficiently, and seemed to run on time and without issues. As an Operations person, I was very impressed!"
"I loved getting ideas from other booksellers about what is (or isn’t) working at their stores."
"The sessions with publisher reps were very helpful because they aren’t people we normally get to hear from and they were very direct and honest with their feedback and advice."
"I felt so welcomed and excited to be around so many people who shared my passion!"
"The Industry Deep Dive classes were great and gave me a lot of ideas of things I’d like to dig deeper on now that I’m home and of certain blindspots we’ve had."
"I enjoyed this experience and got so much good information as a newbie. I was pleasantly surprised to find that everyone was just as excited about my new mobile bookstore as I am! There was definitely a feeling that the people I met wanted me to succeed"
"The session on inventory turns was incredible and made me believe in the ability to run a tighter and more practical ship for my bookstore. Loved it.
"I was overwhelmed (in a great sense of the word) by all the information, wonderful people, and I was impressed at how well-organized the event(s) were. I had a great time and met some awesome people!"
"I came back with a notebook filled with ideas I’m already implementing."