When analyzing the benefits of a trade show on our schedule, there are a few things in particular that really weigh in at high importance to many:  quality of attendees, expanse of attendees, and of course number of attendees.   Our schedule represents many opportunities that incorporate some of these qualities, but the nature of the library market makes it fairly rare for all of the top important qualities to shine in every event:  state shows with high quality and expanse of attendees don’t necessarily have the numbers, while national shows have high numbers and a large expanse of attendees but don’t always have the highest quality attendees (as it’s mostly directors and higher ups who aren’t necessarily the ones putting the book in the hand of the patron).  However, with the recent news coming out of California that the state’s library and school library associations will be merging their annual events, you can mark California on your list of an event that checks off all three important qualities.

How does California now fill all three important criteria?  As a state show, you’re getting all levels of library staff, from directors and decision makers, to acquisition librarians and committee members, to the actual librarians that are on the floor putting the books into the patron’s hands—all the quality attendees you can ask for.  Adding to that, you now have school librarians and decision makers, really growing the expanse of the audience.  And, combining the two groups, each of which have in years past averaged at about 1,500 or more in attendance, and that’s near or over 3 thousand attendees in one venue, which accounts for good attendee numbers.

The combining of these two state associations marks a great opportunity for your marketing, and skyrockets California in importance.  Other state library associations that have merged in the past (ie Texas) have only grown in size and importance since.  Don’t miss this opportunity.  Get started with your California registration here.