New York, NY, 2016-Sep-16 — /EPR Retail News/ — Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS), the nation’s largest retail bookseller and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products, today (September 15, 2016) announced that it has once again partnered with Make: to host its second annual Mini Maker Faire at stores nationwide, the weekend of November 5-6. Barnes & Noble first renewed its retail partnership with Make:, publisher of Make:magazine and producer of Maker Faire, back in 2015 to build on the huge success of last year’s inaugural retail Mini Maker Faire and continue Mini Maker Faire events in 2016. The renewed retail partnership reinforces both companies ongoing commitment to advancing tech literacy and bringing awareness to the Maker Movement, with special events, educational learning experiences and promotions throughout the year, all culminating in the second annual retail Mini Maker Faire in November.
One such collaboration is Barnes & Noble’s presenting sponsor role in several flagship Maker Faires this year, including the Maker Faire Bay Area in San Mateo, CA, and the National Maker Faire in Washington, DC, in the spring, where Barnes & Noble launched pop-up shops to showcase its vast merchandise collection. Barnes & Noble will be doing the same at World Maker Faire in Queens, NY, the weekend of October 1-2.
The overall partnership between Make: and Barnes & Noble promises to continue to provide an educational platform for teachers, Makers, doers, creators, inventors, and innovators across the country through World Maker Faire in October, the Barnes & Noble Mini Maker Faire in November, and beyond.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to launch our second annual Mini Maker Faire in partnership with Make:, and to react to our customers’ enthusiastic response to the “Call to Make” by giving them more of the authentic Maker Faire experience they enjoyed last year at our inaugural Mini Maker Faire,” said Kathleen Campisano, Vice President of Toys & Games at Barnes & Noble. “Last year, in partnership with Makers, Classrooms and Communities across the country, we worked hard to successfully break down the intimidation barrier when it comes to technology, innovation and creating and this year we plan to take it to a whole new level of engagement as we reinforce our commitment to promoting tech literacy.”
“We are excited to partner with Barnes & Noble as it launches its second annual Mini Maker Faire. This is an excellent way to introduce more communities across the country to the Maker Movement as they meet local and national Makers, participate in key product demonstrations, and enjoy fun Making activities,” said Sherry Huss, co-founder of Maker Faire and Vice President of Maker Media. “We’re pleased that we can introduce Barnes & Noble customers to Make: products that have been carefully selected for this event. Books like Make: Tech DIY and Edible Inventions, Make: magazine, and Make:’special Halloween edition, project kits, and custom do-it-yourself project books about exploring things like electricity and discovering woodworking. Barnes & Noble is a premier partner and we look forward to continuing to work on achieving our common goal of introducing, educating, and engaging others as to what the Maker Movement is all about.”
Barnes & Noble’s second Mini Maker Faire will once again deliver the authentic, credible experiences that Maker Faire attendees have historically come to expect. The fantastic event lineup will give customers the opportunity to “Meet the Makers” by showcasing local and national Makers, participate in interactive product demonstrations and take part in collaborative hands-on experiences designed to stretch their imaginations and creative thinking as they work cooperatively to make something original:
Make Workspace
At all Barnes & Noble stores nationwide during the Mini Maker Faire, there will be a “Make” Workspace, which is a tech-educational expo space, where customers of all ages will be able to participate in content-driven sessions where booksellers and Makers will demo some of the leading products in modern technology. Customers will be able to experience the latest in virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D printing, pen-invent technology, robotics, coding, programming, and more.
Make & Collaborate, then SHARE!
At the Mini Maker Faire, Barnes & Noble customers of all ages will also have the opportunity to get hands-on experiences around the art of designing, handcrafting and constructing, in the spirit of collaboration, cooperative learning and teamwork. “Making Materials” featured in this portion of the event will include products from some of the leading vendors in science and technology such as littleBits, LEGO®, Magformers, Squigz, Strawbees and Brackitz.
Meet the Makers
Throughout the Mini Maker Faire, Makers, educators and authors dedicated to changing the way people learn, ideate, design, create, build and embrace the future will visit stores nationwide to speak about the Maker Movement, present their creations and more. Customers should contact their local store to find out what special guests are participating during the Mini Maker Faire.
Customers can also look forward to an expanded online presence at www.bn.com/makerfaire this year, which serves as a comprehensive “site within a site,” where Making, Learning and Doing can happen year-round. The site will feature rich and relevant articles, video content and Maker projects that will rotate regularly.
More details on Barnes & Noble’s second annual Mini Maker Faire will be announced in the upcoming weeks. Customers should stay tuned and visit their local Barnes & Noble store or go online at www.bn.com/makerfaire for more information.
About Barnes & Noble, Inc.
Barnes & Noble, Inc. (NYSE: BKS) is a Fortune 500 company, the nation’s largest retail bookseller, and a leading retailer of content, digital media and educational products. The Company operates 638 Barnes & Noble bookstores in 50 states, and one of the Web’s premier e-commerce sites, BN.com (www.bn.com). The Nook Digital business offers a lineup of popular NOOK® tablets and eReaders and an expansive collection of digital reading and entertainment content through the NOOK Store®. The NOOK Store features more than 4 million digital books in the US (www.nook.com), plus periodicals and comics, and offers the ability to enjoy content across a wide array of popular devices through Free NOOK Reading Apps™ available for Android™, iOS® and Windows®.
General information on Barnes & Noble, Inc. can be obtained by visiting the Company’s corporate website at www.barnesandnobleinc.com.
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CONTACTS:
Mary Ellen Keating
Senior Vice President
Corporate Communications
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
(212) 633-3323
mkeating@bn.com
Alan McNamara
Senior Director
Corporate Communications
Barnes & Noble, Inc.
(212) 633-3379
Source: Barnes & Noble, Inc.