SpringCon 2026
MAKE PLANS NOW FOR SAN ANTONIO IN THE SPRING!
Booksellers from across the MPIBA region will come together with publisher and industry colleagues for an epic three days of books and authors, education and networking, a new Gift Vendor Showcase, and lots of fun.
CHECK OUT OUR SPRINGCON 2025 SLIDESHOW AND RELIVE ALL THE FUN!
REGISTRATION & TICKET SALES OPEN APRIL 1, 2026
Schedule at a GLANCE
(Preliminary schedule only. More details coming soon. Events are subject to change)
TUESDAY, MAY 5, 2026
9:00aM | Ballroom Lobby
REGISTRATION DESK OPEN
Stop here first to pick up your name tag and welcome bag.
12:30PM - 2:00PM
KICK-OFF EDUCATION LUNCH: EDELWEISS (Ticket required. Details to come.)
2:30PM - 3:30PM
SUCCESS STORIES OPEN MIC: BOOKSELLING INSPIRATION
4:00PM - 6:00PM
ROMANCE AUTHOR SPEED ROUND & SIGNING RECEPTION
8:00PM - 9:30PM
PRIVATE WALKING TOUR: Literary Legends & Hidden Histories of San Antonio (Ticket required.)
WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2026
8:00AM | Ballroom Lobby
REGISTRATION DESK OPEN
9:00AM - 10:30AM
STORIES FOR BREAKFAST: Fiction Authors All Around (Ticket required.)
11:00AM - 12:00PM
EDUCATION SESSIONS
-- Beyond the Buzz: Calculating & Maximizing the ROI of Your Bookstore Events
-- Like a Family But Not a Family: Creating Effective Communications and Positive Culture from the Top Down
12:15 - 1:45PM
REAL STORIES, REAL INSIGHTS: Nonfiction Author Lunch (Ticket required.)
2:15 - 3:15PM
EDUCATION SESSIONS
-- Dynamic Inventory Management: Budgeting for Frontlist Buying and Beyond
-- The Art of Passive Retail: Creating a Store Environment Where Books & Gifts Sell Themselves
3:45 - 5:00PM
PICK OF THE LISTS PRESENTATIONS
5:00 - 6:30PM
MIX AND MINGLE HAPPY HOUR: GIFT VENDOR SHOWCASE OPEN
8:15PM
FREE GROUP OUTING: The Saga Laser Light Show
THURSDAY, May 7, 2026
8:00AM | Ballroom Lobby
REGISTRATION DESK OPEN
9:00AM - 10:30AM
INSPIRING MINDS: Kid-lit Keynote Breakfast (Ticket required.)
11:00AM - 3:00PM
GIFT VENDOR SHOWCASE OPEN ALL DAY
11:00am - 12:00PM
IDEA SHARING ROUND-TABLE: Moving You Pop-up, Mobile, or On-line Only Store Into a Bricks-and-Mortar Space
12:15PM - 1:30PM
THRILLS & CHILLS: Featured Author Lunch (Ticket required.)
1:45PM - 2:45PM
IDEA SHARING ROUND-TABLE: Becoming a Merch Master: Thoughts on the Best Store Branded Swag
Join us at The Historic Menger Hotel
in San Antonio, Texas
204 Alamo Plaza | San Antonio,TX 78205
BOOK YOUR DISCOUNTED ROOM TODAY
Discounted room block closes April 24, 2026.
Get Ready for SpringCon! Virtual Q&A
New MPIBA bookstore members, SpringCon first-time attendees, and anyone with questions about registration or the upcoming show, join us for a brief overview of SpringCon 2026, and a Q&A with the MPIBA team.
Thursday, April 2, 2026 | 10:00 AM - 11:00 am (mdt)
JOIN US VIRTUALLY
GIFT VENDOR SHOWCASE
Gifts, Games, Sidelines & More
Wednesday, May 6 - Thursday, May 7, 2026
The Historic Menger Hotel, San Antonio, Texas
Our epic SpringCon event brings booksellers together for three days of education, author events, and networking. This year, at the request of our show attendees, we've added a Gift Vendor Showcase! You're invited to promote your sidelines and gift items to over 125 engaged booksellers from indie bookstores around Texas, and across our vast 14-state region.
PRELIMINARY SHOWCASE SCHEDULE
Wednesday, May 6
11:00 - 4:30 pm: Vendor Set-up
5:00 - 6:30 pm: Mix & Mingle Happy Hour
Thursday, May 7
8:00 am - 10:30 am: Additional Vendor Set-up Time
10:30 am - 3:00 pm: Vendor Showcase Open (with break for lunch, and limited concurrent programming)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE DETAILS & TO PURCHASE TABLE SPACE
Vendor Showcase Registration Deadline: March 31, 2026
Author Appearances
Sponsorships
Pick of the Lists
Advertising
Gift Vendor Showcase
Author Appearance Opportunities
AUTHOR PITCHES CLOSED
Deadline for Author Pitches is February 15, 2026
FEATURED AUTHORS EVENTS
$1000
+ 80 print ARCs or finished books
Give booksellers the most in-depth access to your author.
Up to six authors per event will give individual book presentations and/or join a moderated panel discussion for a total of ~10 minutes speaking time.
Followed by signing.
AuthorS ALL AROUND Events
$850
+ 60 print ARCs or finished books
Authors up-close and personal with booksellers.
Up to twelve authors per event will enjoy a meal with a table of booksellers. Each author will be invited to speak briefly (up to five minutes) about their new book to the entire audience.
Following by signing.
Author Speed-round event & Signing Reception
$750
+ 60 print ARCs or finished books
A fun fast-paced event with up to fourteen authors answering rapid-fire questions about themselves and their work.
Following the event, authors will join booksellers for a reception and signing.
Final event descriptions and schedules will be determined as authors are pitched. In addition to appearance fees, plan to provide ARCs or finished books for attendees.
Gift Vendor Showcase
Wednesday, May 6: Showcase Vendor Set-up 11:00AM - 4:30PM | Meet Our Vendors Happy Hour (Showcase open) 5:00 - 6:30pm
Thursday, May 7: Gift Vendor Showcase Open 10:30am - 3:00pm (Break for lunch; Limited concurrent programming)
GIFT VENDOR SHOWCASE REGISTRATION OPEN FEBRUARY 1 - MARCH 31, 2026
VENDOR DISPLAY TABLES
Showcase tables are for gift and sideline (non-book) vendors only. For book promotional options, CLICK HERE.
TWO TABLES
$425 (15% Discount)
Includes two 3'x6' tables with tablecloth and two chairs
Showcase space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Vendors are limited to two tables.
Display table contents can be brought to the hotel or shipped. If shipping, vendors must use Menger Hotel shipping forms which we will provide.
MPIBA is not responsible for tracking shipments or for lost or damaged items.
presenting sponsor
$2250
EXClusive
Premier logo recognition on our website, in all digital promotions, and in signage at the show.
Banner ad in a SpringCon promotional email.
Unlimited Welcome Bag inserts.
Unlimited Galley Room title placements.
Two industry tickets to both show receptions.
Opening author reception Sponsor
$1500
Exclusive
Underwrite snacks and complimentary beverages.
Logo recognition on our website, in all digital promotions, and in signage at SpringCon.
Banner ad in a SpringCon promotional email.
One Welcome Bag insert.
Two industry tickets to the reception.
happy hour reception Sponsor
$1500
EXCLUSIVE
Underwrite snacks and complimentary beverages.
Logo recognition on our website, in all digital promotions, and in signage at SpringCon.
Banner ad in a SpringCon promotional email.
One Welcome Bag insert.
Two industry tickets to the reception.
Breakfast & Lunch Event Sponsors
$1500
One per meal event
Help us keep ticket prices low for our bookseller attendees by underwriting food and beverages.
Logo recognition on our website, in all digital promotions, and in signage at SpringCon.
Banner ad in a SpringCon promotional email.
One Welcome Bag insert.
Two industry tickets to the meal event.
Education Sponsor
$1500
FUNDED BY EDELWEISS
Underwrite our educational programming expenses.
Logo recognition on our website, in all digital promotions, and in signage at SpringCon.
Banner ad in a SpringCon promotional email.
Thank you on the SpringCon Education page.
One Welcome Bag insert.
Bookseller SCHOLARSHIP sponsorS
$1000 each
Underwrite our bookseller scholarship program to help cover the travel and lodging costs for attendees. We want to ensure attendance from every state in our region, and as many stores as possible.
Logo recognition on our website, in all digital promotions, and in signage at SpringCon.
Thank you on the SpringCon Scholarship page.
One Welcome Bag insert.
THURSDAY NIGHT Special Event SPONSOR
$750
Exclusive
We’re planning a fun group activity for our show attendees. Sponsorship will help cover the booking costs to keep ticket prices low.
Logo recognition on our website, in all digital promotions, and in signage at SpringCon..
One Welcome Bag insert.
Two tickets to attend the group activity..
Coffee/tea Break
$450
per day
Underwrite coffee and tea service for our attendees
Logo recognition on our website and in all digital promotions.
Recognition on signage at Coffee/Tea service station.
WELCOME TOTE BAG SPonsor
provide 200 tote bags
PROVIDED BY GREYSTONE
Be the exclusive provider of our welcome tote bags, given to every bookseller attending SpringCon!
Logo recognition on our website, in all digital promotions, and in signage at SpringCon.
One Welcome Bag insert.
PICK OF THE LISTS & GALLEY ROOM
Click Here to Purchase (March 1-April 15, 2026)
PICK OF THE LISTS: BOOKS & GIFTS
$275
per 5 minute slot (limited to one spot per rep)
Booksellers LOVE hearing directly from publishers. Pick of the Lists allows you to showcase your most important and exciting titles from recent and upcoming seasons!
Free placement for two titles in the show Galley Room.
Free admittance to the Mix & Mingle Happy Hour.
Edelweiss collection or catalog (provided by you) emailed to all booksellers registered for SpringCon.
All books and items must be available at standard wholesale terms.
GALLEY ROOM PLACEMENT
$200
/title
Booksellers are so excited to receive ARCs of forthcoming books.
The show Galley Room will be manned, and open at specific times, allowing attendees to browse and find just the books they’re excited to read, recommend, and stock.
Minimum 20 copies per placement
ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES
Click Here to Purchase (March 1-April 15, 2026)
Printed program
$200
/quarter page
Take up to 4 quarters of the back page of the printed SpringCon program.
Space is limited. First come, first served.
Website banner ad
$300
/banner
Linked banner ad integrated into the SpringCon schedule online.
Banner availability is limited. First come, first served.
welcome bag inserts
$175
/item
Must send at least 200 items/promo pieces..
Small items and flats only, can include flyers, postcards, bookmarks, small products, etc. No books.