SpringCon 2026

MONDAY, MAY 4, 2026

4:00pM - 7:00pm  |  San Antonio

SELF-GUIDED BOOKSTORE TOUR
Our San Antonio bookstore colleagues would love to show you around! Click below to find a Google Map and information on each store's plans for welcoming you. All you need to do it make your way from store to store and enjoy!

See the Participating Stores and Map

TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026

9:00aM  |  Ballroom Lobby

REGISTRATION DESK OPEN
Visit the registration desk to pick up your show badge, a welcome tote filled with promotional goodies, and more!

12:30PM - 2:00PM  | Ballroom AB

EDELWEISS EDUCATION LUNCH: See What's New at Edelweiss (Ticket required)
Edelweiss is excited to give you a look at what's coming down the line for the platform! The team will cover what's new and on its way — from faster site experiences and richer data access to the latest on Omnibus, our bookstore operating system that pairs Square with essential bookselling tools. With Omnibus, everyday bookstore workflows like inventory management, direct ordering, and Edelweiss catalogs and analytics come together in a single place. Join us to see how we're building a smoother, more efficient experience for booksellers.

2:30PM - 3:30PM  | Ballroom AB

SUCCESS STORIES OPEN MIC: Bookselling Inspiration
Join us for some bookselling inspiration! Share a story about a fantastic event, or a profitable promotion; share your new hiring process, or how you rethought a system to make it more efficient; let us know how you improved your buying, or created a new gift section in your store. Whatever your success, small or large, we want to celebrate them!

4:00PM - 6:00PM | Ballroom AB

ROMANCE AUTHOR SPEED ROUND & MEET THE AUTHORS RECEPTION
Bestselling Texas author and Speed Round emcee extraordinaire, James Wade, will join us once again to host our show kick-off author event! This year's fast-paced and fun event will feature an amazing line-up of guest authors representing a wide range of Romance writing. After answering a series of rapid-fire questions about themselves and their work, the authors will sign books while we all enjoy Cinco de Mayo inspired snacks and beverages. (RECEPTION SPONSORED BY LIBRO.FM)

See the Author Lineup

8:00PM - 9:30PM | MEET IN THE HOTEL RECEPTION LOBBY

PRIVATE WALKING TOUR: Literary Legends & Hidden Histories of San Antonio (SOLD OUT)
Scott Anderson, a certified professional guide and the owner of San Antonio Food Experiences, has created a private 90-minute literary and historical odyssey through downtown San Antonio for SpringCon attendees! Explore the city through the words of the giants who once walked its streets: O. Henry’s Footsteps – Cross the very bridge that inspired one of his famed short stories and learn how the "Master of the Twist Ending" was influenced by his time in the Alamo City; Alex Haley's River Walk Apartment – Stand before the building where Alex Haley labored over the manuscript for The Autobiography of Malcolm X, a work that remains one of the most influential nonfiction books of the 20th century; Visit the site of San Antonio's Legendary Bookstore Rosengren's – Relive the glory days of a iconic local bookstore, visiting its former home to hear the stories that made it a sanctuary for San Antonio’s bibliophiles; Discover the lasting impressions San Antonio left on a diverse array of historical figures and writers who were captivated by its unique confluence of cultures; And more!

WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026

8:00AM  |  Ballroom Lobby

REGISTRATION DESK OPEN

9:00AM - 10:30AM | Ballroom AB

STORIES FOR BREAKFAST: Fiction Authors All Around (Ticket required)
A perfect way to start your day! Enjoy a breakfast buffet as an extraordinary line-up of authors present their tasty new and forthcoming works of fiction for all ages.

See the Author Lineup

11:00AM - 3:00PM | BALLROOM C

Edelweiss One-to-One Appointments
The Edelweiss Team in on site! Grab some time with them to chat about Analytics, Ordering, or other general Edelweiss navigation questions, or to learn more about Edelweiss Omnibus, their modern bookselling platform combining state-of-the-art bookselling tools with Square. Click here to book a 20 minute one-on-one meeting during the show.

Make Your Appointment

11:00AM - 12:00PM

EDUCATION SESSIONS

– Beyond the Buzz: Calculating & Maximizing the ROI of Your Bookstore Events | Poolside 123
Events, everybody's doing them. But which events make money and which are a drain on your resources? This session delivers a tool to analyze the return on investment (ROI) of your event program. You'll learn how to consider attendance, ticketing, payroll, space costs and marketing in an effort to maximize profitability and achieve sustainability, no matter the size of your bookstore. Presented by Nicole Magistro, former owner of The Bookworm of Edwards for nearly two decades, who currently serves as an active advisor with The Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates.

– Like a Family But Not a Family: Creating Effective Communications and Positive Culture from the Top Down | Patio
Positive store culture, and effective communication don't happen by accident.  You have to have a well crafted strategy, process, and then you have put it into practice.  During this session you will learn how to put together a good plan for culture building, and how to communicate effectively with all members of your organization.  At the end of this session you will possess tools based on best practices that you can immediately implement when you return to your store. Presented by Tim Smith, Operations Manager at Schuler Books in Michigan, and Professional Booksellers School instructor.

12:15 - 1:45PM | Ballroom AB

REAL STORIES, REAL INSIGHTS: Nonfiction Author Lunch (Ticket required)
Take a break from education to enjoy lunch and presentations by some very special nonfiction authors as they present their eagerly anticipated new books and answer questions from our moderator.

See the Author Lineup

2:15 - 3:15PM

EDUCATION SESSIONS

– Dynamic Inventory Management: Budgeting for Frontlist Buying and Beyond | Poolside 123
Inventory management is the biggest lever to financial success, and yet buying and returning without a budget is a common misstep for indie bookstores. This session will teach you how to develop a dynamic inventory management budget, broken down by frontlist, restock, event, non-book and return categories. To maximize learning, bring your store's monthly and annual sales by category to this session. Presented by Nicole Magistro, former owner of The Bookworm of Edwards for nearly two decades, who currently serves as an active advisor with The Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates.

– The Art of Passive Retail: Creating a Store Environment Where Books & Gifts Sell Themselves | Patio
One of the best experiences in a well curated bookstore is discovering that book or sideline you didn't even know you wanted.  In this session you will learn about the power of effective merchandising and displays, how to design and write effective shelf talkers, and creating passive ways to increase sales.  When you leave this class you will have ideas, and resources that will be easy to implement while creating immediate impact. Presented by Tim Smith, Operations Manager at Schuler Books in Michigan, and Professional Booksellers School instructor.

3:45 - 5:00PM | Ballroom AB

PICKS OF THE LISTS
Regional reps from publishers big and small will give 5-minute elevator pitches for the books and products they're most excited about.

See the Publisher Lineup

5:00 - 6:30PM | Ballroom c

MIX AND MINGLE HAPPY HOUR: Gift Vendor Showcase Open
Mix and mingle with your bookselling and publishing colleagues, and explore the new Gift Vendor Showcase! (RECEPTION SPONSORED BY SOURCEBOOKS)

8:15PM | Gather in the Menger Bar

FREE GROUP OUTING: The Saga Laser Light Show
Join your colleagues and check out The Saga, an awe-inspiring video art projection that shares the story of the land, water, people, battles, and development of San Antonio, the Lone Star State, and United States history. The 24-minute laser light show features 7,000 square feet of light, color and visual narration projected onto the majestic façade of San Fernando Cathedral – the oldest continuously operating cathedral in the United States. International artist Xavier de Richemont created this renowned exhibit to educate, and delight viewers, and stoke an appreciation for the epic history of San Antonio. Gather in the Menger Bar at 8:15 pm for the 20 minute walk to the Cathedral for this free event.

THURSDAY, May 7, 2026

8:00AM | Ballroom Lobby

REGISTRATION DESK OPEN

9:00AM - 10:30AM | BALLROOM AB

INSPIRING MINDS: Kid-lit Keynote Breakfast (Ticket required)
Immerse yourself in kids' books! Our wonderful guest authors and illustrators will join us over breakfast to present their new and forthcoming titles for young readers.

See the Author Lineup

10:30AM - 3:00PM | BALLROOM C

GIFT VENDOR SHOWCASE OPEN
Spend the day visiting the exhibit tables in the Gift Vendor Showcase. Come prepared to discover some wonderful new gift and sideline items for your store, including cards, candles, games, socks, and much, much more! The vendors will be setting up accounts and taking wholesale orders, so plan ahead to make the most of the Showcase day.

Meet the Vendors

11:00AM - 3:00PM | BALLROOM C

Edelweiss One-to-One Appointments
The Edelweiss Team in on site! Grab some time with them to chat about Analytics, Ordering, or other general Edelweiss navigation questions, or to learn more about Edelweiss Omnibus, their modern bookselling platform combining state-of-the-art bookselling tools with Square. Click here to book a 20 minute one-on-one meeting during the show.

Make Your Appointment

11:00am - 12:00PM | POOLSIDE 123

IDEA SHARING ROUND-TABLE: Moving You Pop-up, Mobile, or Online Only Store Into a Bricks-and-Mortar Space
Are you interested in transitioning your pop-up, mobile, online only bookstore into a brick-and-mortar space? Or have you recently made the transition? Join your colleagues for a chance to ask questions, share success stories, and brainstorm best practices.

12:15PM - 1:30PM | BALLROOM AB

THRILLS & CHILLS: Featured Author Lunch (Ticket required)
Dig into mysteries and horrors! Take a break from the Vendor Showcase and enjoy lunch with some very special authors as they present their eagerly anticipated new books and answer questions from our moderator.

See the Author Lineup

1:45PM - 2:45PM | POOLSIDE 123

IDEA SHARING ROUND-TABLE: Becoming a Merch Master: Thoughts on the Best Store Branded Swag
There are store branded hats, t-shirts, totes, and bookmarks, but also candles, mugs, lip balms, and much more! If you're interested in upping your branded merch game, or want to share a creative idea that has worked at your store, join this chat!