2015 marks the 15th annual Leading Books Conference and we’re heading back to Melbourne to celebrate in an event that gives Leading Edge members the opportunity to be developed and inspired by industry experts, publisher and author presentations, and each other.
Our partnership with the ABA over the past couple of years has proved successful and we are looking forward to joining together for our Trade Exhibition once again.
This year we’re extending our agenda with registration and morning tea from 10am, and sessions starting at 11 am on Friday 15 May.
For early arrivals, or Melbourne members, make sure you set aside Thursday evening to meet some of Black Inc’s authors at a special cocktail event. at Middle Fish, 122 Berkeley Street Carlton - just a short walk from Rydges on Swanston.
The 2015 conference will include plenty of opportunities for member forums, author talks and networking. Some of the highlights are publisher sessions on global and local trends, brands and branding, creating book buzz; Gecko Press’s Julia Marshall will discuss interest and diversity in children’s publishing; author-focus sessions will include ‘Crossing the Counter’ on booksellers turned authors, introducing new Australian voices in Stephanie Bishop (Hachette) and Shirley Barrett (Picador); share best practice ideas as part of the Where Do I See My Business in 5 Years panel discussion and our traditional Best Business Ideas session.
Our Debut-Fiction winning author of The Indie Book Awards 2015, Maxine Beneba Clarke, will deliver the opening address Why Independents Matter, with Key Note speaker Brian Walker of the Retail Doctor presenting the latest facts on retail trends, in particular for independent book retailers and give practical steps on building a customer for life.
In the tradition of Leading Edge Books conferences we have a stellar line up of authors attending including Peter Garrett, Jane Caro, Russel Howcroft, Leisel Jones, Gail Jones and George Megalogenis, confirmed so far with plenty more to come. And of course, it won’t be a Leading Edge Books Conference without the much anticipated surprise conference guest!
Our Awards dinner, where members and suppliers come together, will be on Saturday 6th May at the State Library of Victoria. We’ll enjoy canapés and drinks in the LaTrobe Reading Room (with the most stunning domed ceiling), and continue in The Queen's Hall with a 3-course dinner, special guest speakers and bookseller and publisher awards presentations.
This will be followed by a joint LEB-ABA Trade Show on Sunday, 17 May from 1-5 pm.
ABA’s conference will run over 17 and 18 May.
LEB members are encouraged to register for the whole conference – 15 to 18 May, to maximise the opportunities the tandem conferences will deliver.
We look forward to seeing you in Melbourne.
Agenda - to view click
Program Snapshot
Agenda highlights (some still TBC)
- Hachette Australia will share insights into what is a Brand and Branding and tips for booksellers on creating Book Buzz.
- Hachette will also introduce an exciting New Australian Voice in Stephanie Bishop, author of The Other Side of the World.
- Pan Macmillan/Picador presents Curating a Literary imprint in 21st Century and introduces Shirley Barrett, author of Rush Oh!
- Member & supplier panel discussion – Where Do You See Your Business in 5 years? Five years since we had this session in 2000, we review how much the industry has changed and emerging trends.
- Best Business ideas – a Leading Edge Conference classic, this session creates a great opportunity for members to exchange best practice ideas with a chance to win the Best Business Idea Award.
- Nielsen BookScan - Shaun Symonds presents the review of 2014 results for Independent Booksellers.
- Text presents Crossing the Counter – insights from booksellers who are now published authors.
- Gecko Press – on choosing interesting, diverse in subject matter and beautiful-produced children’s books from around the globe.
- Opportunity for Member questions after each session.
- And of course – a Surprise Guest speaker - who will it be in 2015?
Thursday, 14 May
Pre-Conference members’ event - Black Inc Cocktail Party, 6-8 pm.
Black Inc. invites you to a special cocktail party to celebrate their forthcoming list. Meet many Black Inc., Nero and Quarterly Essay authors - an opportunity not to be missed!
Venue: tbc (will be walking distance from Rydges Carlton).
For further information contact: Caitlin Yates, email: caitliny@blackincbooks.com.
Friday 15th May – LEB Day 1
Registrations for LEB delegates will open on Friday, 15 May at 10.00am.
Collect your Random House Leading Edge Conference satchel when you register and have morning tea, catch up with old friends, and make some new ones.
All members and suppliers will be welcome to our opening sessions, starting at 11.00.
Sit down for lunch in the Swanston room and hear from a guest author.
LEB Welcome Cocktail Drinks
Rydges Rooftop Pool Deck Terrace will be the venue for our first night welcome cocktail event. Aussie swimming champion, Leisel Jones (Black Inc) will be joining us and sharing stories from her honest, ‘warts and all’ memoir.
Free evening
Enjoy the free evening. Choose from the myriad of restaurants nearby for dinner. Catch up with other members or have the night off to relax.
Saturday 16th May – LEB Day 2
Enjoy a hot breakfast and a seated buffet lunch today in The Swanston Room whilst feasting on the stories from our guest author presenters.
A full day of Conference sessions culminating with our Surprise Guest.
Awards Dinner
Take an easy walk or tram ride to our Awards dinner at The State Library of Victoria (SLV), where members and suppliers come together and enjoy canapés and drinks in the LaTrobe Reading Room, then on to SLV’s Queen’s Hall for a night of guest speakers, great food and wine followed by our awards presentation, where we’ll take the opportunity to recognise the achievements of booksellers and publishers.
Sunday 17th May – LEB/ABA Trade Show
ABA’s conference starts on Sunday, 17th May for morning sessions from 10am and includes lunch.
LEB & ABA Joint Trade Exhibition commences at 1pm
This will be a 4- hour exhibition with an array of industry suppliers. This event is free for you and your staff but you’ll need to pre-register. Please note lunch and afternoon tea is not included in the free Trade Exhibition entry. Food and drink will be available to purchase.
ABA Gala Dinner
Cowen Gallery State Library of Victoria.
Monday 18th May – ABA Conference cont.
ABA Conference Day
To see the ABA Conference program please visit http://www.abaconference.org.au/program.
