Independent Publisher's Conference

I received a postcard in the mail today about the 2009 Regional Publishing University - one of the many junk-mailish perks of putting out a book on Lulu - that I figured I would share here. It's being organized by the ibpa (Independent Book Publishers Association) and the Midwest Independent Publishers Association. It's expensive, but there could be some valuable information for anyone who has the cash and time to travel to it.

Regional Publishing University comes to the Twin Cities:
Everywhere we turn there are articles, stories, and presentations on the changing world of publishing. The Kindle, the digital revolution, people reading on their iPhones, Google Book Search -- what does it all mean for publishers and writers? Despite all the new technology, print books are still what people want to read. How can we produce the best books at the lowest cost? What's the best way to market those books using traditional techniques as well as today's technology?
Join experts at this year's Regional Publishing University, co-sponsored by the IBPA, formally PMA, and the MIPA. Lively discussions and presentations will include IBPA board members from Publisher's Weekly, Ingram, National Book Network (NBN) and others, as well as Midwest publishing industry leaders and entrepeneurs. There will be plenty of opportunities for one-on-one discussions and brainstorming ideas for the future.
Be a part of this dialogue on publishing matters because, well, publishing matters!

Who should come: publishers of all sizes, authors, writers who want to publish or be published, others in fields relating to publishing
Where: Embassy Suites Minneapolis Airport, Bloomington MN
When: August 14-15, 2009
Cost: Early registration deadline: Jusly 15. Friday only: $50 members, $60 non-members.
Saturday only: $125 members, $150 non-members. Friday and Saturday: $150 members, $175 non-members. After July 15, add $25.
Info: www.mipa.org or 651.917.0021

Do with this what ye will.