There are only a few spots still available for the 2025 NVNR Publicity Speed Dating event on May 28. Demand has been high, so SIBA has enabled a wait list for stores, in case of any cancelations.

One of the most common reasons stores cancel their reservation is because they do not have their publicity kits ready. A store publicity kit is required to participate, and is not only shared during each store's presentation at the event, but also sent to all the participating publicists for their files. Having a good publicity kit is a vital first step in developing a robust store events program.

SIBA has a created a gallery of store publicity kits from past publicity speed dating events for bookstores to use as a reference when creating their own. Note, however, for the 2025 NVNR Publicity Speed Dating event, store publicity kits need to be in PDF form, no more than two pages long.

SIBA is also hosting "Practice Pitch Sessions" bookstores. Stores are invited to make their pitches to SIBA staff and get feedback on what they can do to improve their presentation.

Practice sessions will be held on SIBA's Discord server on May 13th and May 14th, from 10 AM to 12 PM, and 1 PM to 3 PM.

Email Candice Huber at candice@sibaweb.com to schedule a practice session.