BookExpo America discussion

Registration begins next month for BEA 2013! Anyone else excited?!

Already?! Wasn't it February this year before registration started?!

How much is it going to be? o.o

They upped the price to 165 for bloggers

Wow, so much for bloggers being able to go in for free anymore :/

Last year there was a glitch of sorts, bloggers applied for the Press Pass and weren't told of rejections until it was late in the game. Since 2 weeks had more than passed nearly everyone believed they were approved and made their travel plans, hotel rooms, flights,etc.
There was an uproar and because it was the other peoples fault almost everyone who applied got the Press Pass. Something like 2 months had passed when ppl were told it would be 2 weeks for an answer.
I was told when I got there that this year they were not approving many at all for the Press Pass. The criteria to be approved would be stricter and many who'd be approved normally wouldn't be in 2013.
I remember it was pretty heated and chaotic.
I wonder what will happen this time.
Last year they had 1 day open for the public and ppl who applied were all granted a free pass.

What is the exact date that we can start registering?

☆∞ wrote: "Last year there was a glitch of sorts, bloggers applied for the Press Pass and weren't told of rejections until it was late in the game. Since 2 weeks had more than passed nearly everyone believed ..."

Not everybody, in the frenzy (two months after I was "goood to go") I was afraid I wasn't gonna get a pass so I bought the pass to get in since I made all the arragements. They said they would reinburse me and never did. I want to go this year as well (this would be my 4th year going) but damn... it's expensive to go (hotel, plane ticket, etc).

Registration started in January for BEA 2012, and everyone said how late that was, so I guess this year they're making it earlier since BEA is a bit earlier, too.

It is expensive to go, but at least this year I'm planning on paying. It was a shock to get that email saying I had been denied (4 months after I registered) because I hadn't planned on that expense. Now I'm 90% sure I'll be paying for BEA, so it's not that bad. And $165 isn't all that awful if you think about it.

They haven't put up an exact date to register - it just says registration will open in December.

If you sign up for the blogger convention it's a lot less money (one extra day for the convention) and it gets you a pass for all 3 days into the event. That's how I got in last year & it was only $65. The blogger con was a lot of fun too.

Jessica - The Midnight Bookworm wrote: "If you sign up for the blogger convention it's a lot less money (one extra day for the convention) and it gets you a pass for all 3 days into the event. That's how I got in last year & it was only ..."

They aren't doing that any more. You need to buy your pass for BEA separate. =/

Yeah, I saw that, too, Nicole. It's the $164 and then an additional $65. After how lackluster the blogger con was last year, I'm surprised they're not offering more of an incentive for people to go. I highly doubt they'll get a big turnout. People seemed pretty unimpressed with it.

I know I'm not going to it, but because I won't get into NYC until Wednesday.

Hannah wrote: "Yeah, I saw that, too, Nicole. It's the $164 and then an additional $65. After how lackluster the blogger con was last year, I'm surprised they're not offering more of an incentive for people to go..."

If they did the 2 for 1 even I would buy it. I went the first year they did it and it wasn't that great :/ Hasn't gotten any better from what I hear.

In case anyone is curious, the BEA 2013 floor plan is up

Aww, sad to hear they're not doing the pass into BEA with the blogger con. I mean, $165 is like $1 per book if I judged based on the amount of books I got this past year, which isn't bad, but with travel costs & all that it gets a little pricey. I might go for a day, but it'll depend what registration looks like and who I can get to go with me.

Jessica - The Midnight Bookworm wrote: "Aww, sad to hear they're not doing the pass into BEA with the blogger con. I mean, $165 is like $1 per book if I judged based on the amount of books I got this past year, which isn't bad, but with ..."

Exactly. Plus there's an extra night's stay at the hotel if I want to go to the blogger con ... Unfortunately, it didn't seem like last year was worth the added expense.

Guys, the early bird registration was actually $104, Non-editorial Media/Book Bloggers :D

AWESOME! Just booked my hotel!

I know, Taschima! I was so excited and surprised by that!

This definitely means we are in right? If we pay for it I mean, I don't want another debacle and I want to book hotel early.

I'd say if you paid them they can't say you can't go.

Payment means you're in. @Jessica, what was the special pass that you got last year I saw the option for an Avid Reader or a Readers pass and I wasn't sure which was which.

Jessica - The Midnight Bookworm wrote: "I'd say if you paid them they can't say you can't go."

Awesome, looking for hotels as we speak then.

Oh, yeah. Payment locks you in. That's why I just opted to pay this year. I didn't want to deal with the stress or headache I had last year. And honestly? $100 is not that much for everything BEA has to offer.

I'm not sure how much help this'll be now, but to go to both BEA and the Blogger Con (BEA Bloggers), it's going to $135, however at the moment reg for BEA Bloggers doesn't seem to be active (there's a glitch in the system) and according to Steven Rosato, the Show Director, it won't be resolved until next month at some point.

That all said! The Blogger Advisory Board for BEA Bloggers this year is pretty freaking exciting (Jane Litte from Dear Author! Pam from Bookalicio.us!) and there's an open call for topic suggestions going on right now.

Tegs and I are going under her store's banner, so we're set as soon as her boss registers us. Gotta figure out a hotel though.

Yay! Glad you're going again this year, Lexie! Your charts are a freaking Godsend. Tell me you'll be making them again this year!

w00t yep I attempted to rein myself in last year (but you saw how that went). I'll be able to use actual Excel too, which will be exciting (Google Docs is nice, but its not as intuitive or mod-friendly).

I was gonna float an idea that for those of us who can't afford BEA Bloggers, to meet up that Wednesday at a hotel or something to eat, drink and be merry (while trading info for BEA and such). But honestly I didn't expect to have to start planning this early XD January I planned on it.

Lexie wrote: "w00t yep I attempted to rein myself in last year (but you saw how that went). I'll be able to use actual Excel too, which will be exciting (Google Docs is nice, but its not as intuitive or mod-fri..."

That sounds grrreat!! We should totally do that!

I'm down to party.

Hell yeah. I'm in Lexie!

well if enough of us are interested then i'll look into meeting rooms at our hotel. our room will probably fit 6 or 7 of us (just for lounging) but more then that will make it difficult.

Which hotel are you at? I'm wondering how close it is to mine.

If we are lucky it will be the Doubletree Hilton Times square South. I have to talk to someone about it first though.

Come to the Marriott! We have a continental breakfast!

We stayed at the Doubletree before and loved it...plus its closer then the Marriott and straight shot to the Javits. and right in the heart of Times Square :)

We're the same about our hotel, Lexie. We won't stay anywhere else. And we're on 8th avenue too!

I agree w/ you all, I'd rather pay than deal w/that chaos like last year. 104$ 165$ etc. is so worth it! I went 1 day and would gladly contribute to go again. The guy who makes the Press Pass decisions said this year next to no one is getting approved. The bigwigs are bringing the hammer down and want press to be actual press-press. Like magazines, newspapers,etc.
who knows? I'm signed up early bird style :)

Good choice, Bella!

A little birdy told me about early registration ;)

Nicole wrote: "Payment means you're in. @Jessica, what was the special pass that you got last year I saw the option for an Avid Reader or a Readers pass and I wasn't sure which was which."

Hey! Sorry I didn't reply about this before, I totally missed this comment. I got the Avid Reader pass. It was the more expensive one last year, it's $95 this year. It included pre-selecting 4 ticketed author signings per day (this year it's only 8 for all three days, but I think I only used like 6 last year anyway and gave a few away to other people because the ticketed signings weren't super exciting), a "Jump the line" pass (which I saved for the massive John Green line), and is considered your donation for the books you get at the show, this way you don't have to worry about the donation boxes. Plus it's tax deductible (which I'm glad I reread this year since I'm about to do my taxes & already forgot about that part). Anyway, I recommend that pass if you want to do ticketed events because it does let you get them early and they're just ready when you pick up your pass that way you don't have to stand in any crazy lines. And that Jump the line pass came in such handy last year with the JG signing, his line was outrageous, even if you didn't count the people that didn't have tickets that were just hoping to maybe get his signature after all the ticketed people went in if there was time.

Jessica - The Midnight Bookworm wrote: "Nicole wrote: "Payment means you're in. @Jessica, what was the special pass that you got last year I saw the option for an Avid Reader or a Readers pass and I wasn't sure which was which."

Hey! S..."

That's a great deal! Especially with it being tax deductible. I didn't do any ticketed signings last year. I wonder who they'll have this year.

I was kind-of disappointed with their list last year, I mean it was my first year, but I figured they'd have more ticketed authors, there were only like 7 or 8 per day, and Wednesday had 3. The proceeds of the reader passes go to some bookish charity that I think BEA runs. I didn't read the details I just figured I wanted that jump the line pass so I'd pay, lol. Tax deduction was just an extra perk. Having John Green there was fantastic because he completed my goal of having "Let it Snow" signed by all three contributing authors. He was the last one I needed and I figured I'd never meet him because he's like never touring in my area. So his ticketed event is the only reason I got the more expensive pass that lets you reserve the tickets ahead of time.

Last year was my first year, but I was shocked at the lack of authors on the ticketed list, but so were several BEA vets. I wonder if this year will be any better?

I'd wager some of it had to do with the handling of the power readers program too. They seem more on the ball so far, but I'll hold my judgment til I see it all in action.

I want to bring my husband, since I'm in California and its a far trip. I'm currently a teacher, so it seems I can register myself, but I don't know what category I can register him in?
I'm so confused! Please help! Also, what are the add ons I should register for?
Thanks so much!
Rachna

I think there's a family/friends option when you register as well, Rachna. He will probably have to pay a little more, but still worth it!

Hi all!

I've been to BEA 4 years in a row and last year I went to the BBC. If you want to know what to expect at BBC, you can read my post about it from last year:

http://kbgbabbles.blogspot.com/2012/0...

If you have any questions about BEA or BBC, I'd be more than happy to answer them.

I wasn't sure of the best place to put this post, so it ended up here... BEA gives an overview of the agenda for the bloggers' conference. Sounds like some good topics that will hopefully be helpful to this newbie blogger!
http://bookexponews.blogspot.com/2013...

Katie(babs) wrote: "Hi all!

I've been to BEA 4 years in a row and last year I went to the BBC. If you want to know what to expect at BBC, you can read my post about it from last year:

http://kbgbabbles.blogspot.com/..."

Thanks Katie! Loved your post! This year is my first time for BBC and your post gave me a good idea of what to expect. I'm going to bring a cocktail to play your NY Times, Oprah, Hard Sell, 50 Shades drinking game. Might have to pick new buzz words this year though...maybe not :)

Stephanie (Stephs Stacks) wrote: "Katie(babs) wrote: "Hi all!

I've been to BEA 4 years in a row and last year I went to the BBC. If you want to know what to expect at BBC, you can read my post about it from last year:

http://kbgb..."

:)

I wonder what buzz words will be big this year?