IBPA Publishing University 2025

Come and join your peers for interactive small group breakfast meetups around topics you have a shared interest in!

Tell us your top 3 topics after you sign up (using this form here) and get ready to make new friends. Small Group Breakfast topics include:
-Distribution
-Systems & Operations
-Children’s Publishing
-Working with Libraries
-Direct to Consumers
-Marketing and Technology
-Hybrid Publishing
-Diversity in Publishing
-Other – suggest your own!

When you arrive, register on the First Level in the Great River Court and then head down to the Minnesota Court (lower level. You can choose the table you'd like to sit at—and move around—according to topics posted at the various tables! (Be sure to bring business cards and/or be ready to share your contact information.)

We'll shuffle the room seating so you'll have the opportunity to join three different group discussions over the hour and 45 minutes.

While we wish we could offer this event for free, there is an additional fee of $65 to register for a small group breakfast, which only partly offsets the cost of food. (The breakfast buffet will have vegan options as well as gluten-free options.) You can sign up for the small group breakfast here.

Our program begins!

Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, IBPA's CEO, will welcome everyone and introduce Maria A. Pallante for our opening keynote:

The Pillars of Publishing – Copyright and Freedom of Expression
The legal framework that supports the publishing industry has never been more important. Maria A. Pallante, President and CEO of the Association of American Publishers, will discuss the bedrock principles that underpin the global publishing ecosystem: copyright and freedom of expression. The discussion will explore the landscape of copyright law and regulation, with a particular focus on exclusive rights of authors and publishers in their creative works, as well as the crucial role of freedom of speech and freedom to publish to our democracy and an informed citizenry.

Grab lunch and meet our sponsors!

Join us to thank our outgoing – and welcome our incoming – members of the IBPA Board of Directors.

With Joylynn M. Ross, Dr. Katherine Newburgh, with moderator and host Jared Kuritz.

Independent publishers are essential for expanding the definition of authorship, voice, and visibility in our society. Often we take risks on emerging markets and new voices, which means the need to generate revenue beyond book sales alone. In this session we'll explore . . .
· how to mobilize community support
· ways to maximize fund-raising opportunities
· leveraging sponsorships
· grant writing, funding, and resources
. . . to help you scale your publishing business while creating sustainable growth.
As a thank-you for attending and engaging, participants will also have the opportunity to win publishing prizes and literary swag in our raffle!
Come with a strong vision for your company's impact, and leave with practical ideas, action steps, resources, and inspiration for generating new and creative streams of revenue.

The Start Strong Independent Publishers breakout sessions are for independent publishers who are just starting out and are looking for help navigating the basics of successful publishing. (Generally you will have been in the publishing industry for three years or less and have published fewer than ten titles.) 

Leveraging Tech (and AI) to Expand Your Business
With faculty Ian Henzel, Florenza Lee, and Sierra Kay, with room host Brooke Horn.

Leveraging the right technologies is crucial for building your brand, reaching your audience, and driving sales. New publishers are constantly challenged with managing resources. Technology can help extend a publisher’s reach. This session will provide insights into AI and marketing technologies publishers can use to help streamline efforts and engage effectively with readers.

The Start Strong Independent Publishers breakout sessions are for independent publishers who are just starting out and are looking for help navigating the basics of successful publishing. (Generally you will have been in the publishing industry for three years or less and have published fewer than ten titles.) 

In this panel discussion moderated by Keith Riegert (President of the Stable Book Group and CEO of Perfect Bound), Mary Rasenberger (CEO of the Authors Guild), Amanda Zila, PhD (Co-Founder of Inkbloom), and Trip Adler (Founder and CEO of Created by Humans) will address the various opportunities, challenges, and transformations happening as AI impacts the publishing landscape.  

Topics will include: 

• Acquisition management 
• Copyright protection 
• Fair use and ethical considerations 
• Licensing opportunities  
• Editorial, production, and marketing tools 

These industry experts will provide their insights into the emerging technologies that are rapidly changing our industry. With ample time for Q&A, the audience will also have the opportunity to share and engage on these topics.