NAIBA and SIBA to Hold Separate Shows in 2027
The regional bookseller groups will return to individual trade shows after partnering on a joint conference since 2020.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Local Shops
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NAIBA and SIBA will resume holding separate regional trade shows in 2027, ending a joint model used since 2020. The shared New Voices New Rooms conference will continue in a different format.
Why it matters
Rising event and travel costs at the 2026 joint conference, which drew record attendance in Baltimore, led the groups to conclude separate events are more accessible for booksellers. The change affects independent bookstores across the country that attend these regional gatherings.
The joint conference drew 356 total booksellers in Baltimore in 2026, up from 335 in Atlanta in 2025. Event and travel costs rose sharply at the 2026 gathering, according to the announcement.
The players
NAIBA
The North American Independent Booksellers Association is a regional trade group representing independent bookstores in the northeastern United States.
SIBA
The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance is a regional trade association supporting independent bookstores across the southern United States.
Linda-Marie Barrett
Linda-Marie Barrett is the executive director of SIBA, who is stepping down at the end of December 2026.
The details
NAIBA and SIBA issued a joint release announcing the change. NVNR will continue as a shared programming partnership in a different format, and both groups plan to collaborate on advocacy around book bans and AI.
Timeline
August 2023: NVNR moved to an in-person joint trade show in Arlington, Va.
2025: NVNR was held in Atlanta.
2026: NVNR was held in Baltimore with record attendance.
End of December 2026: SIBA executive director Linda-Marie Barrett steps down.
2027: NAIBA and SIBA resume separate regional conferences.
Market Landscape
The shift reflects a broader cost pressure on regional book industry events, where in-person gatherings have grown expensive for independent booksellers. Separate regional shows return to the pre-2020 structure of distinct trade conferences.
Independent booksellers who attend regional shows may find separate conferences less costly to reach. Shoppers at local bookstores could see these groups' events shape the stock and programming in their neighborhood shops.
The takeaway
Separate regional conferences may offer independent bookstores a more affordable way to connect with peers and publishers. Watch for announcements on 2027 dates and locations.
What happens next
NAIBA and SIBA will announce more details about their 2027 conferences in the coming weeks.
Further reading
Explore more on Local Shops to see how independent bookstores navigate industry changes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PublishersWeekly.
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