Children’s Institute Refunds on the Way

The American Booksellers Association’s 8th annual Children’s Institute (Ci8), scheduled for June 22–24, 2020, is postponed for one year due to the coronavirus outbreak. The event will now take place June 16–18, 2021, at the Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, Arizona.

All registered booksellers are being refunded for their $139 registration fee; the refund will appear on the card the registration was purchased with. Refunds are being processed now.

Booksellers who received a scholarship to the 2020 institute have the right of first refusal to participate as a scholarship recipient next year. Scholarships are ultimately awarded to ABA member stores (not individual booksellers), and the attendee must have permission from the store owner(s) to use that scholarship next year. Scholarship recipients should let ABA know if they plan to keep the scholarship for 2021.

Booksellers are asked to cancel their hotel reservations for June 2020 via their confirmation email or by phone at (888) 236-2427. Booksellers may experience delays when calling the hotel due to a shortage of staff resulting from furloughs. Booksellers attending the 2021 institute will need to make new hotel reservations when the block opens next year. The hotel will offer a lower nightly rate of $99 (plus tax), which includes the resort fee.

ABA is exploring the possibility of hosting virtual events this June to bring together those who had planned to attend Ci8. Booksellers are welcome to email [email protected] to suggest ideas and opportunities for children’s booksellers to get together on-screen.

Additional children’s-focused programming will take place at the 16th annual Winter Institute in February 2021 in Cincinnati.

Questions about the institute should be directed to [email protected].