As Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association prepares for a physical fall Tradeshow set in October, PNBA announced new comfort and safety measures to all participating exhibitors and author representatives as well as attendees. These include asking that all attendees be vaccinated. It should be noted that PNBA will not be requiring actual proof of vaccination status. Attendees are asked to sign “a vaccination expectation agreement” and the PNBA website states “The agreement is intended as an additional level of self-clearance, a chance for an individual to reconsider participation should they be unvaccinated or high-risk.”

Pre-COVID, the show typically drew approximately 300 booksellers, librarians, authors, sales reps, and publishers for everything from debuts of the latest bestsellers to workshops for all members of the trade. This year, PNBA will cap attendance at individual events at 75% of normal as well as providing “additional spacing” on the exhibition floor to achieve “more air space” for the comfort of all involved. Authors may also ask that all attendees approaching them for a book signing be masked.

PNBA announced the addition of 2021 Tradeshow Travel Credit program, details coming soon, offering up to $150 per bookstore to encourage more bookseller attendees at the physical show.

According to the group’s monthly newsletter, the hotel room block at the Red Lion is almost full, a good indicator that people are planning to attend. If interested in staying at the Red Lion on the River in Portland, Oregon, the organizers suggest making a reservation soon.

The PNBA Fall Tradeshow takes places October 3-5. The event will also have a virtual component for those who cannot travel or for those who want the party to continue online. The Virtual Annex program will take place October 11-22, with an iPage Master Class, General Member Meeting, X-travaganza keynote, Online Operations workshop, Book Awards Preview, and Ten Around-the-Bend happy hour, among other events.

Further information about the event can be found at the organizer’s website: pnba.org.