IBPA Publishing University 2026

Three Options for Friday Breakfast:
(1)
Group Ask-the-Experts 1: 8:15am-8:40am
Group Ask-the-Experts 2: 8:45am-9:10am
Group Ask-the-Experts 3: 9:15am-9:40am

Every group “Ask the Experts” consultation on Friday morning has open spaces that are available for any attendee. You’ll see the topics and experts for each time slot posted on each table. The sign also lists the names of those who have reserved seats, and the number of open spaces. You can see the Group Ask the Experts schedule as an attached file on this session in Sched.

(2)
There are also peer tables (with no designated expert) during Friday morning where folks will gather to discuss Children’s Publishing, Hybrid Publishing, Distribution, Book Marketing, and Author-Publishing (a.k.a. Self-Publishing).

(3)
Tables with no signs are open seating, where chance and serendipity will be your guide to new conversations, colleagues, and friends!

Our program begins!

Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, IBPA's CEO, will welcome everyone and introduce our opening keynote speaker, 
Donald Miller, New York Times bestselling author of Building a StoryBrand.

Rise Above the Noise. Connect With More Customers.
In 2017, Dave Ramsey called Building a StoryBrand the most effective framework for cutting through digital noise. Over 1 million copies of the book have sold, and global brands like TREK, TOMS, and The Economist use it to drive growth. Whether you own a publishing business, are marketing a book or a cause, or building your publisher or author brand... Donald Miller’s proven seven-part story formula can help your message cut through the chaos because brand storytelling captures attention, transforms customers’ lives, and fuels business growth.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Join us for the Rittenhouse Award presentation, given to Marc Ouimet, and presented by Brooke Warner!

As it becomes increasingly difficult to profitably sell books through traditional sales channels (including Amazon), more publishers and authors are exploring direct-to-consumer platforms, emerging technologies, and old-fashioned community building opportunities to reach readers. This panel will explore a variety of options for marketing and selling to readers outside of traditional trade channels.

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

The 38th Annual IBPA Book Awards!
6:00-7:00pm Cocktail Reception
7:00-9:30pm Dinner and Ceremony
9:30-10:30pm Photos and After-Party

Finalists and judges receive a free ticket. Email [email protected] to arrange that, please. There is an additional fee to attend the dinner and ceremony.

Grab a yummy breakfast (included with your conference registration) and starting at 8:30am learn about IBPA's committees, board, and volunteer opportunities. We'll also thank our outgoing – and welcome our incoming – members of the IBPA Board of Directors.

Merging the Worlds of Content Creation and Business: Lessons from Amphibia and Beyond


As the creator, writer, and producer of the popular Disney show Amphibia (with projects in development at Sony & Netflix), Matt Braly wears two hats – as a content creator as well as a producer pushing projects toward green light. In this exclusive keynote for IBPA Publishing University attendees, Matt will share his insights into how to:

• Translate content creation into a viable business model
• Pitch your ideas to business folks who want to translate your vision to a bottom line
• Cultivate a fandom across media
• Surround yourself with the right team to support your vision, and
• Stay motivated to keep going when reality sets in.
• Ground yourself creatively

The audio file is attached. Transcript will be added in early June.

Don't miss our closing session of raffle prizes and rapid-fire takeaways!

Attend this session for your chance to win one of our great raffle prizes -- and we'll draw the winner of the Treasure Hunt (Visit all the conference sponsors to get a chance to win $500 IBPA credit plus a FREE pass to IBPA Publishing University 2027)!