A few days in New Orleans is always a treat, and last week’s site visit to prepare for SIBA’s gathering in September was no exception! From the bookstore visits, appointments with venue partners and the hotel, to quiet time waking up with an early coffee and enjoying a view of the Mississippi River from my room, I was reminded why New Orleans is SIBA’s most popular destination for conferences; it offers a sense of place and culture that is unique, diverse, nuanced, and welcoming. 

I met with the owners of all the stops on our bookstore bus tour: Baldwin & Co’s DJ Johnson, Tubby & Coo's Mid-City Book Shop’s Candice Huber, Octavia Books’ Tom Lowenburg and Judith Lafitte, and Garden District Book Shop’s Barkley Rafferty and Carroll Gelderman. Their entrepreneurial spirit is amazing– expanding, renovating, moving locations, or launching during the pandemic, and all of them so positive and energized to meet community needs. Their different aesthetics, displays, store layout designs, and even business models offer attendees on the bookstore tour much to be inspired by.

I also met with Jessica Dorman, Director of Publications at the Historic New Orleans Collection (THNOC), where we will hold our welcome reception on September 7th. THNOC is a museum, research center, and publisher dedicated to preserving the history and culture of New Orleans and the Gulf South. Our reception takes place in their new, gorgeously restored Seignouret-Brulatour Building (across the street from their original location), which is ADA accessible, and includes a number of galleries on two floors, a bookstore, and an open-air courtyard. THNOC is in the heart of the French Quarter, about a 10 minute walk from the hotel or a quick car or taxi trip. 

The team at our host hotel, the Sheraton New Orleans on Canal Street, is delighted to see SIBA folks again, after last hosting us in 2017. Our hotel is offering great rates and is perched right next to the French Quarter and a quick walk or drive to the Mississippi River. There is self-park and valet parking, a quite large Pelican Bar in the lobby (and other dining options, including a Starbucks), and fabulous views of either the river or the city (or both!) from your rooms. 

SIBA will be posting the growing list of bookstores attending our NOLA event, as well as industry partners. We’ve built in breaks in the schedule to allow for meet-ups, and the nights are free for special dinners and exploring this beautiful city. Extend your stay, as some booksellers are doing, for a mini-vacation or work retreat before the school/football/holiday season takes over your life :)

The deadline to reserve rooms with the special rate is August 8, and the deadline to register for the conference is August 15. Remember that SIBA is also offering travel grants for up to $300 to cover transportation and lodging expenses to this show. Please contact me, lindamarie@sibaweb.com , to apply for a travel grant.

Linda-Marie Barrett
Executive Director
lindamarie@sibaweb.com