We are pleased to announce that we are now receiving applications for the MBPR Trade Show 2012 Scholarship. If your publishing company is a member of MBPR you may nominate up to three people from your organization to attend a book industry trade show in 2012 relative to their business. The scholarship grants the winning applicant a $1000.00 stipend to help pay for travel and other expenses associated with attending a professional industry trade show. Applications must be received by January 31, 2012. The winning applicant will be announced on February 15, 2012.

Download the MBPR 2012 Trade Show Scholarship Application.

 WELCOME

MBPR provides networking and professional development for our region's established publishers as well as the many vendors and independent contractors that work with them. Among these companies are multi-national children's book publishers, prestigious literary presses, textbook publishers, distributors of independent presses, some of the nation's largest independent publishers of religious and mind-body-spirit books, historical society and university presses, publishers of nationally-bestselling recovery and self-help books, and many others. Our members represent the lion's share of the employer-publishers within the state of Minnesota.

 ORGANIZATIONAL GOALS

MBPR's goals are:

1. To establish a means by which those engaged in book publishing may assist one another through the exchange of ideas and experience,
2. To promote the spirit of good fellowship and friendly cooperation among its members,
3. To promote the highest standards of craftsmanship and integrity in book publishing, and
4. To promote further understanding between all the related professions and trades concerned with the publishing industry.

 ACTIVITIES

MBPR hosts five informational lunches throughout the year, inviting speakers to address issues of importance to the membership. Our meetings are often the most well-attended publishing events in our region. To receive information about upcoming events, sign-up for our e-Newsletter. We also coordinate bimonthly social hours, hold an annual meeting, moderate a discussion group on LinkedIn.com, have sponsored webinars by national publishing experts, and produce an annually-updated directory.

 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our revolving Board of Directors is composed of ten seasoned professionals each of whom have at least five years of experience working for established publishers. Each board member serves a two-year term which begins in August of each year and may be renewed. The Board meets throughout the year to plan luncheon topics and work on other programs to benefit members. MBPR's stature in the industry means that we usually have more volunteers for board positions than there are available positions. To receive notice about future board member recruitment campaigns, sign-up for our e-Newsletter.