Contact: Kim Pettit
ChristianTrade Association International
+1 (719) 432-8428
E-mail: kpettit@ChristianTrade.com “We are living in such rapidly changing times,” says Christine Kollaris, President of ChristianTrade member nation Christian Bookselling Association of Australia (CBAA), and director of the Greensborough Christian Book Centre in Greensborough, Victoria, Australia. “In terms of the future, I suppose we all have lots of questions: Where is retail going? Where are books, cards and music sales going? What does a local shop look like? What about our suppliers? Our supply chain? … How can CBAA help our members thrive? “We have more questions than answers,” she adds, “and the biggest [question is] what is our role in advancing God’s kingdom on earth.” Kollaris, newly-elected to the CBAA Council, was reflecting on the results of CBAA’s annual convention. Such events, she added, are “always a valuable time of sharing, seeing new stock and lines, thinking ahead andbenchmarking our business against others.” CBAA is holding several mini-conventions at the start of 2012 to facilitate further communication, training, andnetworking for its members. These include events in Perth, Western Australia (January 30-21); Richmond, South Australia (February 2-3); Ballarat, Victoria (February 6), Orange, New South Wales (February 9-10); and Ormiston, Queensland (February 13-14). To learn more about the conventions, please contact CBAA at info@cbaa.com.ua. “To speak with others who share your passion, who have fresh ideas and fresh thinking, to feel that we belong to a bigger mission and are not out on our own,” says Kollaris, “These things have intrinsic, immeasurablevalue—both now and for the foundation that they lay for the future.” “I am pleased to see CBAA’s commitment to helping its members thrive,” says Kim Pettit, Executive Director for ChristianTrade. “Working together, Christian retailers and suppliers can do so much more for God’s kingdom in their countries!” To learn more about ChristianTrade, its member nations, or to obtain information on how you can begin a Christian trade association in your country, please contact info@christiantrade.com . ChristianTrade’s next event is Marketsquare International, in Atlanta, held together with the Inspirational Value Book Show January 18-20, 2011, just after the AmericasMart Gift Show. (For details, please visit www.ChristianTrade.com. *** ChristianTrade Association International is a worldwide association of nations, companies, and individuals committed to fulfilling the Great Commission by distributing Christian resources. It holds international regional conventions in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America; publishes an annual Christian-trade directory; hosts international events at CBA’s International Christian Retail Show; and serves as a catalyst for growing the Christian trade worldwide. For more information, please visit www.ChristianTrade.com or e-mail info@ChristianTrade.com. |
