For Immediate Release — June 13, 2024

ECPA Names Brain Trust Charged with Developing Upcoming PubU Program

ECPA PubU celebrates 20 years of training up Christian publishing leaders

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION OPENS FOR CHICAGO EVENT

TEMPE, AZ, JUNE 13, 2024 – ECPA’s annual fall training program – ECPA PubU – will return as an in-person event in 2024 on November 13-14 at the Hilton DoubleTree Suites Conference Center, outside Chicago in Downers Grove. The Chicago-area is where PubU was initially hosted in 2004, its debut year.

Early bird registration is now open for the event, now in its 20th year of training Christian publishing practitioners in major publishing roles, hosted by industry leaders – called the PubU Brain Trust — who develop and present the program.

The 2024 ECPA PubU Brain Trust represents the expertise of twelve publishing companies and is led by Michael Covington (David C Cook) and Jerri Helms (HarperCollins Christian).

The committee is charged with recruiting speakers to present on relevant topics in several publishing tracks: EDITORIAL, MARKETING, PUBLICITY, DESIGN, PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS. In addition, a CHILDREN’S BOOK SUMMIT will be presented on November 14.

“Now in its twentieth year, ECPA PubU has trained thousands of industry practitioners, presenting best practices, trends, and expertise of the publishing leaders who develop the event each year,” stated Jeff Crosby, ECPA president. “I’m grateful for the work of the track leaders and all of the session leaders who will deliver content this fall. I look forward to celebrating 20 years of ECPA PubU – now back in the Chicago area!”

Serving on the 2024 PubU Online Brain Trust are:

LEAD
Michael Covington, VP of Publishing & Acquisitions, David C Cook

CO-LEAD & MARKETING TRACK
Jerri Helms, VP of Digital Marketing and Analytics, HarperCollins Christian Publishing and HarperCollins Focus

MARKETING TRACK
Whitney Alexander, Marketing Manager for Academic Books, Trade Books, and Kids Books, B&H Publishing, an imprint of Lifeway Christian Resources

PUBLICITY TRACK
Tara Burns, Print and Online Publicist, InterVarsity Press
Andrea Martin, Senior Director of Public Relations & Author Relations, Tyndale House Publishers

EDITORIAL TRACK
Katara Patton, Exec. Editor, VOICES, Our Daily Bread Publishing
Connor Sterchi, Managing Editor, Moody Publishing

DESIGN TRACK
Nate Eidenberger, Senior Graphic Designer and Multimedia Specialist, Baker Publishing Group
Chris Kuhatschek, Senior Art Director, Baker Publishing Group

PRODUCTION & OPERATIONS TRACK
Jenn Butenschoen, Director of Production & Digital Content, Harvest House Publishers
Fanny Gonzalez, Operations and Business Analysis Manager, Lexham Press

CHILDRENS BOOK SUMMIT
Catherine DeVries, Publisher, Kregel Publications
Elissa Schauer, Executive Editor, InterVarsity Press

EMERGING LEADER COORDINATOR
Jamie Lapeyrolerie, Editor, WaterBrook & Multnomah

“Having been involved with PubU from its earliest days until now, I have watched this event evolve into a cornerstone training and networking event for the Christian publishing community,” expressed Brain Trust lead Michael Covington, VP of Publishing & Acquisitions at David C Cook. “More than any other, PubU has established itself as the one event I hear most frequently referred to by frontline staff within our house.”

“For this year’s event, I am even more excited, as we welcome Jerri Helms as co-lead for the Brain Trust. I have been a longtime fan and beneficiary of Jerri’s knowledge and experience in all things related to the digital marketing landscape within trade book publishing. It’s an honor to serve alongside of her as she moves toward leading next year’s Brain Trust!”

ECPA PubU will continue its Emerging Leader mentorship program, offering scholarships to up-and-coming industry leaders, with an emphasis on under-represented voices in the industry. Each emerging leader will be matched with an industry leader, for a year-long mentorship program. Nominations are accepted until September 20.

To register at early bird rates, nominate an emerging leader, and learn more about the program, visit ECPAPubU.org.

ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. ECPA.org

ECPA PubU has delivered training, connection, networking and inspiration to the industry’s frontline practitioners since 2004. Industry leaders develop the program to invest in the expertise of their colleagues, and train up the next generation of leaders. ECPAPubU.org

Media contacts:
Jeff Crosby, ECPA president, jcrosby@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998 ext. 101
Sheri Toomb, Communications Manager, stoomb@ecpa.org, 480-966-3998 ext. 104

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