Join us in Indianapolis, Indiana for a three-day celebration of independent bookselling, including awards celebrations, author events, bookstore tours, education, networking, and a vibrant trade show floor where booksellers and our industry partners can do business together and get to know one another. Heartland Fall Forum is hosted collaboratively by the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association. We can't wait to see you all in Indy!

Schedule
Tuesday, October 14
8:00 AM
8:00 AM
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Wednesday, October 15
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
10:00 AM - 10:50 AM
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
11:00 AM - 11:50 AM
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
9:30 PM - 11:30 PM
9:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Thursday, October 16
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
7:00 AM - 6:00 PM
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
5:00 PM
5:00 PM
Education Info

There will be two days of education at Heartland this year.  Job focused retreats will take place on October 14 and General Education will take place on October 15. 

Our goal is to offer Heartland educational programming that's responsive and relevant to our challenging retail landscape and evolving society.

Do you have a topic or educator in mind that you would like to see an education session focused on? Please fill out the form below. Thank you!

Call for Education



Exhibitor Information

Thank you for supporting this event! We have lots of info on the way for exhibiting at and/or attending Heartland Fall Forum 2025 in Indianapolis.

Our show is all six-foot and 8-foot table-tops, meaning: there will be no pipe and drape booth options this year. Our exhibitor space is much larger and is in one single area

Sponsorship Opportunities

Host a party!

Party Sponsor, 1 available ($3,000 plus cost of food, beverage, and a/v)
Heartland is a direct path to bookseller engagement and publisher- or exhibitor-hosted parties is an effective and fun way to take that path! Time is available the evening of Wednesday October 15th, 2025 for a publisher- or exhibitor-sponsored happy hour or author-led educational/self-care practice: this event is yours to design. Work with us to showcase an individual author or a group of authors.  Requested book/galley quantity: 150

Show booksellers your support with a Travel Scholarship

Bookseller travel scholarships, unlimited ($600). Sponsorship includes:

Logo on homepage, in program, and on relevant on-site signage

Logo in one-time e-newsletter “Get to know the Heartland Sponsors"


General Sponsorship Opportunities

Principal Sponsor, 1 available ($6,000)
A unique opportunity to meaningfully engage with indie booksellers and demonstrate your support of their work. Sponsorship includes:

Logo on all emails, homepage, Eventleaf registration page, on-site signage, and program

One complimentary 8-foot table

One complimentary Rep Picks placement

Deluxe feature in one-time e-newsletter “Get to know the Heartland Sponsors"

Banner ad on website for duration of sponsorship

Five minutes for representative to speak to all attendees at the Book Awards Celebration


Education Sponsor, 1 available ($5,000)
Support the backbone of Heartland, championing booksellers as they engage, learn, and grow. Sponsorship includes:

Logo on all emails, homepage, Eventleaf registration page, on-site signage, and program

One complimentary Rep Picks placement

Deluxe feature in one-time e-newsletter "Get to know the Heartland Sponsors"

Banner ad on website for duration of sponsorship

One author spot at the Moveable Feast


Major Sponsor, 1 available ($3,000)
Work with Heartland to achieve a wide range of marketing objectives. Your goal is to generate buzz. Sponsorship includes:

Logo on all emails, homepage, Eventleaf registration page, on-site signage, and program

One 6-foot table exhibitor spot

One free e-blast to entire GLIBA and MIBA memberships

Program ad

Classic feature in one-time e-newsletter “Get to know the Heartland Sponsors”


Event sponsorship Opportunities

Our individual events are a great place to showcase your bookseller support. Sponsorship includes:

Logo on all emails, homepage, Eventleaf registration page, on-site signage, and program

Logo in one-time e-newsletter “Get to Know the Heartland Sponsors”

5 minutes to share remarks with all attendees

Custom perks for each event to be discussed!

Moveable Feast Sponsor, 1 available ($3,000)
In addition to the perks listed above, the Moveable Feast sponsor receives a complimentary table at at the event to invite attendees for lunch. Custom perks to be discussed.
​ 
Opening Reception, 1 available ($2,000)
Custom perks to be discussed -- let's get creative!
Marquee Author Breakfast, 2 available ($3,000)
In addition to the perks listed above, each Marquee Author Breakfast sponsor receives a complimentary table at at the event to invite attendees for breakfast. Custom perks to be discussed. ​
Quiz Bowl, 1 available ($2,000)
Custom perks to be discussed -- let's get creative​!
Author Opportunities

If you have questions, don't hesitate to reach out to our author placement contacts, February Spikener at february@gliba.org or Grace Hagen at grace@midwestbooksellers.org. Please note, small press is defined by having fewer than 30 employees. 

Author Events:

Tuesday, October 14
  • Opening reception, 5:00-6:30 pm -- Our opening reception is a free event for all attendees and will feature up to 5 authors facilitated by an engaging emcee. The authors will be interviewed on stage then participate in a book signing. Placement fee: $1,000 for small press/$1100 for large press. Requested book/galley quantity: 150

Wednesday, October 15
  • Marquee Author Breakfast, 8:30-10:00 am -- A special, ticketed, event. We thoughtfully pair 2-3 authors for a fascinating conversation that showcases their work. Placement fee: $1,700 for small press/$1800 for large press. Requested book/galley quantity: 150
  • Show Floor Table Signing, during trade show hours (3:00-6:00 pm) -- Host in-booth author signings during the show floor hours. Placement fee: $150. Suggested book/galley quantity: 75 
  • Evening Author Event/Sponsorship Opportunity, 6:30-7:30 pm --  Publisher- or Exhibitor-sponsored happy hour or author-led educational/self-care practice: this event is yours to design. Work with us to showcase an individual author or a group of authors. Sponsorship fee: $3,000 plus cost of food, beverage, and a/v. Requested book/galley quantity: 150
Thursday, October 16
  • Marquee Author Breakfast, 8:00-9:30 am -- A special, ticketed, event. We thoughtfully pair 2-3 authors for a fascinating conversation that showcases their work. Placement fee: $1,700 for small press/$1800 for large press. Requested book/galley quantity: 150
  • Show Floor Table Signing, during trade show hours (9:30 am-12:30 pm) -- Host in-booth author signings during the show floor hours. Placement fee: $150. Suggested book/galley quantity: 75 
  • The Moveable Feast, 12:30-2:00 pm -- This ticketed event is a fun, intimate, tradition! Forty authors visit tables of booksellers to introduce their new titles. Placement fee: $750 for small press/$850 for large press. Requested book/galley quantity: 100
​​​


LOCATION
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, 350 W Maryland, Indianapolis, IN 46225
Map
Location: Indianapolis Marriott Downtown, 350 W Maryland, Indianapolis, IN 46225
ATTENDEES

A total of 12 people have registered so far. The following 12 have opted to share their information.

Anne Hellman
Macmillan Publishers
Annie Martin
Indiana University Press
Editorial Director
Casey Plett
LittlePuss Press
Publisher
David Goldberg
Steerforth / Pushkin Press
Sales and Marketing Director
Heather MacMillan
Indigo Maiden
Owner
Jesse Balzer
Indiana University Press
Journals Marketing and Exhibits Manager
Melissa Weisberg
Macmillan Publishers
Mike Heuer
Blackstone Publishing
National Sales Manager
Mike McKnight
Basil Bookseller Software
Co-Owner
Scott Lanski
Indigo Maiden
Assistant
Thatcher Stokes
Bridge Publications, Inc.
Independent Bookstore Sales Rep
Warwick Schaffer
CirclePOS
Founder

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