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PRESS RELEASE 14 November 2008 

BIBLE SOCIETY SET TO TAKE OVER
CHRISTIAN BOOKSELLERS' CONVENTION

Bible Society is set to take over Christian Booksellers Convention Limited (CBC) in time for the 2009 CBC trade event.

Negotiations are expected to be complete by Christmas 2008, and the 2009 convention is due to take place at the National Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) in May at Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey.

CBC has a long and distinguished record of service to the Christian trade in books, Bibles, music and other product.  Founded over 25 years ago by a group of publishers and booksellers, the company until recently, engaged Norman Nibloe over the last six years to manage a series of highly successful events. Prior to this he was chairman for nine years and has been closely associated with CBC since 1984.

Day to day operations will be carried out by the trading arm of Bible Society, and the next CBC will now take place alongside the Bible Society-run CRE at Sandown Park Exhibition Centre in Esher, Surrey, during 12–15 May 2009.

The move to locate CBC within Bible Society offers the exciting possibility of greater investment into the exhibition and a larger team of event organisers to run it, positioning CBC as the central event of the year for retailers, distributors and publishers.

It is anticipated that publishers intending to exhibit at the 2009 event will transfer their bookings to the Esher event. The opportunity presented to publishers means that within the ‘trade section’ of the combined event, there will be exposure to the 12,000 expected visitors to CRE in May 2009.

Discussions will be held with the Christian trade over holding CBC in Telford in 2010 within the wider Christian Resources Exhibition.

James Catford, Chief Executive of Bible Society, was formerly publishing director at both HodderHeadline and HarperCollins.

Commenting on the acquisition, he said, ‘This move has been waiting to happen and represents the best possible opportunity for CBC to flourish and grow in the future.  Due diligence has taken place throughout the process, and our experienced team will do everything we can to support the Christian trade with the support and encouragement of both retailers and suppliers.'

As Executive Chairman of CRE, which Bible Society acquired in 2007, Colin Saunders has a lifetime of experience in the Christian commercial world and event management

Mr Saunders added, ‘We are committed to enabling organisations to resource the Church in its mission and in this we shall be supporting the Christian suppliers industry and retailers across the country. We look forward to developing a positive programme over the next two years.’

Jonathan Bugden, outgoing Chairman of CBC, said, ‘This development provides our industry with an excellent opportunity to positively grasp the challenges of the present days and turn them to our good.

‘As suppliers and retailers, we can look forward to some renewed rethinking with Bible Society’s input. I am delighted to say that the traditional awards and key programme components will be part of the new chapter of CBC and participants of past CBC events should look forward to this fresh new start.’

 

For more information contact:

Claire Smith, Head of Communications, Bible Society. T: 01793 418 290 M: 07771 505063 E: claire.smith@biblesociety.org.uk.

Stephen Goddard, PR Consultant, Christian Resources Exhibitions. T: 01744 733898 M: 07930 198209.

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Christian Booksellers' Convention Ltd. 4 Ditchingham Close, Aylesbury, Bucks. HP19 7SA
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