NHABA CONCORD BOOK FAIR
UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT
Garry & Karen Austin of Austin's Antiquarian Books and AAB Productions and the New Hampshire Bookseller's Association are pleased to announce that the annual Association Book Fair will now be managed by AABP. The September event held annually in Concord has become a reliable staple in the book fair calendar. Dealers have found it to be a well attended and profitable event. Due to scheduling changes and conflict with the Everett Arena Youth Hockey Program the event had to be held in mid-August in 2009. However, this year's fair returns to its traditional Fall date on September, 12, 2010.
The big news is that the fair has a new home! "We will be mounting the show at the lovely Grappone Center, adjacent to the Marriott Courtyard, 70 Constitution Avenue in Concord, just about a mile from our old digs at the rink," Austin said. "It is a beautiful space and just what you would expect from a fine hotel meeting and exhibition facility, carpeted, well lit, easy access for set-up with no stairs, adjacent lodging and climate controlled" added Karen Austin.
The fair accommodates about 70 exhibitors and we are encouraging a really integrated mix of rare and out of print booksellers, and ephemera and paper dealers. Our visitors will find maps and prints, postcards, autographs and manuscripts, and advertising collectibles too. This fair will allow a customer to find ample items to intrigue them, and there will be material that will be affordable for the entry level collector as well as more sophisticated and scarce items for the advanced buyer.
The New Hampshire Association found Austin & AABP to be the perfect fit for manager of the event. "I've been a book dealer for thirty years, I've exhibited at more shows than I can remember, and we approach the "show business" from the dealer is our customer point of view. I need to make our exhibitors happy. I need to address their needs and any problems that arise immediately. They need to know that we are in their corner, their success is our success. This has always been the case but is never more important than in these recent times", said Austin. AABP also promotes the New Jersey Antiquarian Book Fair, manages the Vermont Summer Book Fair and co-promotes the Albany Antiquarian Book Fair. After several meetings, the NHABA committee and Austin agreed that the date and location were of the utmost importance. "We have retained our traditional date and the move to the Grappone Center keeps the show in Concord, a win/win situation. We expect the bulk of our long time exhibitors to return, they represent some of the most prestigious members of the trade in New England" said an NHABA committe member. Karen Austin added, "We expect to draw a number of new exhibitors as well. Contracts will be mailed to last year's exhibitors early next week. We will be constructing a new website for the fair too. So add the date to your planner as a "must go", and we will see you in Concord in September!"
Dealer and Customer inquiries should be directed to AAB Productions, PO Box 730, Wilmington VT. 05363, by telephone to (802) 464-8438, or via e-mail to mail@austinsbooks.com.