BookExpo America, commonly called by its initials B-E-A, is the publishing industry’s premier event. Publishers, authors, illustrators, publishing rights specialists… anyone who has anything to do with the book industry is there to present their wares, talk about trends, and celebrate books.

For the Mom’s Choice Awards, BEA is an opportunity to showcasent our honorees and engage librarians, booksellers, publishers, and parents in what it means to be part of our distinguished programs.

For an honoree, BookExpo America is a wonderful opportunity to network, scout out publishing and book trends, and last but not least, snag an autograph or two. While May 2010 may seem like a long way away, NOW is the time to start planning.

For the next two months, the Mom’s Choice Awards team will be in overdrive to prepare for BookExpo America and create as many opportunities as we can to help YOU promote your award-winning brand. But we can’t do it alone – getting ready for BEA is a partnership.

First, you need to plan to attend BEA and buy a badge (deadline: 9 May 2010). If you don’t attend the show, you won’t be able to take advantage of these opportunities. 

• Meet attendees at the door. Want everyone to see your book? In the lobby, right as they enter the Show? Then you need to plan for that and purchase your space. IMPORTANT:  Images and info MUST be uploaded by 7 May 2010.
• Grab an interview. While other companies charge $200-300 for an audio-feed of your in-show interview, $75 gets you a professional interview AND the video feed to reuse. IMPORTANT: Interviews are scheduled on a first-come, first served basis. Don’t wait to schedule this. [link takes you to available dates].
• Sign autographs. Autographing is one of the most popular activities at BEA. Whether you sign books in the Mom’s Choice Awards booth or in the autograph corral, you have a captive audience with whom to celebrate your award-winning product.

On the BookExpo America website you’ll find information about everything you need, from accommodations and transportation to special events and the list of 1,500 exhibitors.

For its part, the Mom’s Choice Awards staff is making itself available to help you make the most of this incredible opportunity. Here is a sample of what we’re doing …

Helping you get the most for your money. In addition to the general discounts and the low filming fee, we have other cost-cutting initiatives. One way to off-set costs for attending BookExpo America would be to volunteer to work in the Mom’s Choice Awards booth.

Preparing first-time attendees for the BEA experience. BEA is an overwhelming experience, even for seasoned veterans, but for the first-timer, it is beyond comprehension. To help you prepare, BEA veteran Terry Doherty will host a webinar to help you plan and get the most from this unrivaled opportunity.

Brokering your access. As we get closer, there may well be other opportunities for you at BookExpo America. Our senior staff is in regular contact with BookExpo organizers and Reed Exhibitions to identify any venue that would benefit our honorees.

May will be here before you know it, and we are very excited to be showcasing your work in New York. We hope you’ll be there to celebrate with us.