Remember that headline back in March, "The First Christian Book Expo May Wind Up Being the Last Christian Book Expo"? At least one Friend of Unfair Park remembers it well, because that Friend -- who had a wonderful bar mitzvah long, long ago -- sends along this Christian Retailing item that says the event's a goner. "Failed debut" is the phrase you're looking for, which is a shame; no doubt a certain Bible Girl with a book due next month might have made a cameo at next year's wingding. Also noted in the story:
[The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association] is also going to ask members to help it meet an estimated $250,000 shortfall on the three-day event at the Dallas Convention Center, where total attendance was a tenth of the 15,000 that had been projected. More than 60 publishers and suppliers took part in the March 19-22 program that included workshops, debates and opportunities for visitors -- who paid admission -- to buy books.When reached for comment, God blamed the poor turnout on "the lack of a convention center hotel."
