Excellent observations, Mary.

I didn't get to attend CBE because of some previous commitments, but I knew nothing about it until about a month ago. And then, the only reason I heard about it was through another author with my publisher who was doing a signing.

And I live less than an hour from the metroplex. I think your recommendations for the future are right on target. I hope the organizers don't become discouraged and give up with one try. I think this is an idea worth developing.

Blessings,
Jim Pence

Your marketing ideas are great, Mary. Some are interesting to me in regard to MH. Obviously, this year was a horrible one to START an event but with ours being 40 years old, we still have a ways to go on working out the kinks that erupt each year, and this year in particular. I'm copying off your list and will send it to work to keep in my ideas for 2010. Thanks for your GOOD thinking. Have a great day! Rach

I saw your note on Facebook and hopped right over, hoping to hear the Good, the Bad, and the godly about CBE! My dear friend, Carla Williams, was one of those toiling to organize it, and my heart aches for the low attendance, also. Like you, I hope it continues next year. Your tweaking ideas are wonderful! Thanks for posting so quickly about this event. I was thinking and praying for it last week.

Great point. It's tough to watch when something that could be great isn't. Here's to your ideas being part of the solution for the next CBE :)

Mary, I hated to miss the event, but work called. I did hear about the event on KLTY - local Christian radio station. They even gave some tickets away. But I agree with your suggestions - especially about having the event at one of the megachurches in town - LakePointe has some awesome facilities! Maybe the organizers will take heed next year....

Thanks for sharing, I was wondering how this event would go.

After reading the article by Publisher's Weekly, I think your recommendations are spot on. Marketing has to be aggressive. I only saw mention of it on Twitter and blogs.

Given the "new" economy, marketing strategy needs to change and all events in planning need to study this even closely and figure out how to make it work.

I love all you said about the future of CBE.

I will tell you that when a friend of mine accompanied Mindy and me on Sunday, I stayed with her while she registered. The woman at the registration booth next to hers started a conversation with me. She was thrilled to be working the event, because both she and her husband have lost their jobs and she had just found out she was pregnant, so some of the people who worked desperately needed the job.

I was able to give her some pointers toward possible positions for both her and her husband.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about CBE. I enjoyed it and had some great conversations with people. Your suggestions are wonderful! I hope you will forward them on to the ECPA.
Blessings!
Carrie

I wanted to post this comment by my friend Marion Stroud, a UK author. She makes a great point:

Masterly analysis of an event I'm never likely to attend Mary [ coming from the UK] but one aspect you didn't look at.

Books change lives.They strengthen and teach Christians. They take the news of the Kingdom to where people can't go. They have impact down the generations. They have a ripple effect.They can be powerful in the hands of Christians - and in the hands of despots. And so on. If the event was billed as giving you the tools and equipping you for your work and witness as you seek to bring in the Kingdom of God, would that make a difference? Donald Coggan, a former archbishop of Canterbury wrote 'We need a flood of literature which incorporates Christian insights and the Christian philosophy of life. To dedicate your life to this is to wield the sharpest weapon for good and for God that any man or woman can handle.'

We're not fooling around here. It's like stacking a warehouse with dynamite or amunition for the troops and they don't know where to come and get their supplies.When are those who put these events on going to wake up and see what a vital work they're engaged in? You might like to pass these insights on with your other thoughts - and you WILL pass your thoughts on won't you. Remember 'The reasonable man shapes himself to the world. The unreasonable man[or woman]shapes the world to himself. Therefore all hope of change rests with the unreasonable man [or woman]!

Feeling very unreasonable!
Marion

Love your well said words. They express my thoughts and experience at CBE.

CBE was great, meeting old friends and new, watching my girls vision widen with possibility in their writing. It all was priceless.

But I was saddened by the lack of attendance and the obvious loss of money. I hope and pray they won't give up, but regroup and keep trying to fulfill the vision God gave them in doing this new thing called CBE.

Thanks for your words.

I loved every moment of CBE as an attendee and learned so much, spiritually and career-wise as well. To hear the authentic hearts of so many admired teachers all in one place stirred my heart.

But I felt embarrassed for my city. We're mega-church alley with 3 (maybe more) major Christian radio stations and still with a decent economy. It should've been more highly attended.

As mentioned in the worship services, however, HIS WORD will never return empty or void, and it is my genuine prayer that the Words spoken, written, sang and recorded will do a mightier work for Christians than could be seen with the number counter.

Thank you all for bringing glory to His name.

Great observations and ideas, Mary! I've promoted small events over the years, and I'm a great believer in promoting an event in every way possible. I've also seen events that were poorly promoted or planned. It sounds like many more may have come if they'd known it was going on. I love the idea of having it at a large church with free parking. If I lived in your area, I would have been in line before the doors opened! I hope whoever is in charge of the next Expo reads - and heeds - your post.

~Susan

I attended the CBE event on Saturday as a signing author in the ACFW Booth, and I, too, was disappointed at the turnout. My heart hurt for those who had planned it, and know that it cannot continue as it was set up. However, Mary, I think your suggestions are excellent about holding the event at a smaller venue. I believe the concept has merit and would grow with each ensuing year.

It was a good event for me personally. We made some good connections, sold some books and prayed for some people, but overall, I'm afraid it was not what the organizers had hoped for. I pray they will take a look at it and decide to hold the event again, but with some major adjustments.

Good recommendations.

Hey Mary,

It was great to meet you in person this weekend. Thank you for posting these thoughtful ideas about CBE.

But hey--- here's something else to add to your list of "good."

I LOVE YOUR BOOK Daisy Chain and will be recommending we carry it at Proverbs 31 Ministries.

I'd also love to do a promo of it on my blog---

Hop over and leave me a bloggy note if you're interested.

Blessings,

Lysa

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Mary. As an author, I really enjoyed the business aspect of CBE. I realize that the first time for anything, there's going to be a learning curve plus trial and error. I sure hope they try again!

Interesting thoughts. I'm sad it wasn't a big hit. I like the idea of tying it in with something bigger that will bless the world and not only spiritual growth. People are hungry for something to believe in these days.

Great analysis of the expo, Mary. It was wonderful seeing you again, and I do believe God spoke through you on your panel. Several times I found myself looking at you and thinking what a lovely person you are. All the best!

Thanks for you insight, Mary. I've seen others blog with similiar suggestions.