More than 10,000 Christian retailers and distributors of Christian products will be in Denver next week for the International Christian Retail Show.
The event, one of the city’s largest trade shows, runs Sunday through Thursday and will generate an estimated economic impact of $20.6 million. Former Attorney General John Ashcroft is among the speakers scheduled to address the convention.
The event and trade show are closed to the public.
“This is a very important show for our industry,” said Bill Anderson, president and chief executive of the former Christian Booksellers Association, now called CBA. The Colorado Springs-based group hosts the annual trade show.
Christian retailers have endured mixed blessings in recent years as demand for Christian products has increased but also has led to an interest in the segment from big-box behemoths such as Wal-Mart and Borders.
“Retail has never been more competitive and difficult, but our stores are up for it,” Anderson said. “Our stores are not willing to sit back and see if we have a future. We are creating our future.”
The CBA began hosting the annual show in Denver when the Colorado Convention Center first opened. It left the city after the event outgrew the convention center but was among the first to return when the expanded convention center debuted, said Rich Grant, a spokesman for the Denver Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Staff writer Kristi Arellano can be reached at 303-820-1902 or karellano@denverpost.com.
