“Historically, trade shows have played an important role in publishing and bookselling,” Downs said. “Today the communication flow is constant, and we can no longer justify the enormous costs associated with these events.”

“We are also considering additional channel management strategies to support our customers. Our goal is to create relevant plans for each sales channel that will reinforce their business and their relationship with us,” concluded Downs.

Grupo Nelson will continue to be at trade shows where they believe there is a strong return – especially in growing markets, or market share trade shows. An example of this is their sustained participation at the Guadalajara Mexico Book Fair this November, where the publishing firm will showcase its products once again.

Grupo Nelson is the Spanish division of Thomas Nelson Publishers (founded in 1798), leading publisher and distributor of books with emphasis in business, culture, inspiration, Christian life, fiction and family value themes including best selling authors and with massive distribution throughout Latin America and Spain.

Contact: CLAUDIA DUNCAN
Publicist
tel: (615) 902.1871
fax: (615) 883.9376
web: www.gruponelson.com
e-mail: cduncan@thomasnelson.com

Last weekend, Thomas Nelson hosted its inaugural “Open House” at the Music City Sheraton in Nashville, Tennessee. The publisher’s top 100 Christian retail accounts attended the two-day, two-night conference designed to arm participants with a better understanding of industry trends and merchandising strategies, while inspiring their relationships with God. The event also allowed for renewing friendships with other retailers and the Thomas Nelson family.

At the Thursday evening “3:16 Celebration” at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Max Lucado and friends, Sandi Patty, Jaci Velasquez, Travis Cottrell, and Heather Headley presented the timeless truth of John 3:16 through beautiful worship music and inspiring messages of God’s grace.

During Friday’s “ReThinking” sessions, world-class speakers John Maxwell, Tony Jeary, Michele Miller and the Disney Institute’s Tom Madden, equipped retailers with practical advice on how to increase their effectiveness as leaders and marketers.

On Saturday morning Hyatt encouraged the attendees by sharing a message entitled, “Ten Reasons I Am Still Excited about Christian Retail.” Andy Andrews concluded the event with an inspirational and honest session on “ReThinking Possibilities.”

Based on feedback from the attendees, the event was a tremendous success. Of the attendees surveyed, every one said that they intended to participate in future Open House events. Ninety-five percent said their businesses would be strengthened by the event.

“Thomas Nelson’s Open House was one of the best Christian retail events I have attended in my 25 years in the industry,” said Tim Way, Divisional Merchant Manager for Family Christian Stores. “The sessions gave me highly practical information I can use right now. Additionally, I came away spiritually uplifted and encouraged.’

“The program was absolutely top notch and the fellowship was great. Most of all, the commitment demonstrated by Thomas Nelson to the Christian retail channel was clear and very encouraging,” echoed Steve Potratz, owner and founder of the Parable Group.

“Historically, trade shows have played an important role in publishing and bookselling,” Hyatt said. “I have attended scores of them and have very fond memories of connecting with customers, authors, and the media. But the market has changed. Dramatically. We simply can no longer justify the enormous costs associated with these trade shows. Having inaugurated our own event, it’s time for us to leave the past behind and step into the future.”

Thomas Nelson intends to make Open House an annual event for its key Christian retail accounts. “The top 100 Christian retail accounts generate more than 80% of our revenue in this channel,” noted Hyatt. “Therefore, we must be intentional and strategic in how we connect with Christian retail accounts. Open House provides us with a better way to invest in our future and theirs.”

Also, Thomas Nelson is considering additional channel management strategies to support its general market accounts. “Our goal is to create relevant plans for each sales channel that will reinforce their business and their relationship with Thomas Nelson,” concluded Hyatt.

Contact:
Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications
tel: (615) 902-1109
fax: (615) 902-1110
cell: (615) 476-5984
lnobles@thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, Tenn.) Preparations are underway as Thomas Nelson, Inc., the world’s largest Christian publisher, counts down the days until their Inaugural Open House. On April 10th – 12th, a delegation of about two hundred Christian retailers from across the United States will visit the publisher’s hometown of Nashville, Tennessee, and experience a revolutionary event that will allow them to re-think their business.

“Open House will be a unique time for Christian retailers to re-think, re-fresh, re-connect, and re-commit,” said Gary Davidson, Senior Vice President of Christian Retail Sales. “Throughout the two-day event, an extraordinary line-up of presenters and entertainment will offer instruction, encouragement, and fellowship. Never before has a single publisher made such a significant investment of time and resources to educate and support this important but challenging sales channel.”

Thomas Nelson invited and paid all expenses for two employees from their top Christian retail accounts to attend the event. Attending retailers will hear from bestselling authors including John Maxwell, Max Lucado, Andy Andrews, and Donald Miller, enjoy entertainment from award-winning performers including Sandi Patty, Jaci Velasquez, and John Tesh, and learn techniques from industry experts like the Disney Institute and Michele Miller.

The 2008 Open House Schedule

Thursday, April 10th
3:16 Celebration with Max Lucado and Friends at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Guests Include: Sandi Patty, Jaci Velasquez, Travis Cottrell, and Heather Headley

Friday, April 11th
Session I
ReThinking Your Leadership with John Maxwell
Session II
ReThinking Communication Strategies with Tony Jeary
Lunch
ReThinking Inspiration from John Tesh
Session III
ReThinking Humor with Banana’s Comedian Taylor Mason
Session IV
ReThinking Marketing to Women with Michele Miller
Session V
ReThinking Customer and Employee Loyalty with the Disney Institute
Session VI
ReThinking Thomas Nelson with Michael Hyatt and Thomas Nelson’s Executive Leadership Team

Evening with Don Miller, Dan Merchant, and Jars of Clay at Rocketown
Connecting with a new generation of believers

Saturday, April 12th
Session VII
ReThinking Partnership with Michael Hyatt
Session VIII
ReThinking Possibilities with Andy Andrews

Contact: Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications
tel: (615) 902-1109
fax: (615) 902-1110
cell: (615) 476-5984
e-mail: lnobles@thomasnelson.com

(Nashville, TN) Thomas Nelson, Inc. announced today the schedule for their Inaugural Open House, which will take place in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 10-12, 2008. Thomas Nelson created this unique event for Christian retailers with the hope of providing inspiration, education, and an opportunity for dialogue.

“We are so excited about the extraordinary line-up of speakers, workshops, and entertainers for our Inaugural Open House,” said Michael S. Hyatt, president and CEO of Thomas Nelson. “This is going to be a breakthrough event. Our team has worked tirelessly to enlist world-class talent that can deliver the messages and the inspiration Christian retailers need in today’s tough retail environment.”

Open House speakers include America’s leading inspirational author Max Lucado, internationally recognized leadership expert Dr. John C. Maxwell, bestselling novelist and motivational speaker Andy Andrews, and New York Times bestselling author of Blue Like Jazz Donald Miller. Also performing at the event are Grammy award winning recording artists Jars of Clay, Grammy award winning performer and author Sandi Patty, and Emmy award winning television writer and producer Dan Merchant.

Hyatt continued, “Our hope is that every retailer will leave the event with a better understanding of industry trends, merchandising strategies, and Thomas Nelson.”

The 2008 Open House Schedule
Thursday, April 10th
3:16 Celebration with Max Lucado and Friends at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Guests Include: Sandi Patty, Jaci Velasquez, Travis Cottrell, and Heather Headley

Friday, April 11th
Session I ReThinking Your Leadership with John Maxwell
Session II ReThinking Communication Strategies with Tony Jeary
Lunch ReThinking Inspiration from John Tesh
Session III ReThinking Humor with Banana’s Comedian Taylor Mason
Session IV ReThinking Marketing to Women with Michelle Miller
Session V ReThinking Customer and Employee Loyalty with the Disney Institute
Session VI ReThinking Thomas Nelson with Michael Hyatt and Thomas Nelson’s Executive Leadership Team

Evening with Don Miller, Dan Merchant, and Jars of Clay at Rocketown
Connecting with a new generation of believers

Saturday, April 12th
Session VII ReThinking Motivation with Andy Andrews
Session VIII ReThinking Partnership with Michael Hyatt and Thomas Nelson’s Executive Leadership Team

Contact:
Lindsey Nobles
Director of Corporate Communications
tel: (615) 902-1109
cell: (615) 476-5984
lnobles@thomasnelson.com