Ninety-seven from 16 countries joined Marketsquare Europe this year to conduct business, study, fellowship, and network in order to better accomplish the mission for which they were called.  As part of the event, they also selected the top European Christian books for 2008:

God Answered Muller's Prayers Over 50,000 Times, Vocation Publishing House, Poland, won Children Book of the Year.  Dance Over the Sea, Jongbloed Publishers, Netherlands, won second place.  What & Why I Believe, Coconut Publishing, Netherlands won Adult Book of the Year.  Magdalena's Secret, Life and Mission Ministry, Poland won second place. 

Fifteen Christian booksellers participated in the first Professional Bookseller Institute held as part of the convention.  Geoff Wallace, Maranatha Christian Bookshop, UK, proclaimed the training "outstanding."

A highlight of the convention was the opening Celebration Dinner with a presentation by Gert Hutten, Jongbloed author and pastor, on "A World of Opportunity."  His challenging remarks included the following shocking phrase: "We don't need more Christian books!"  (For his full outline, click this link: A World of Opportunity)  Leading Christian artist and Netherlands "Idol" finalist, Angelique blessed the gathering with her talent and passion for Jesus.  

During the International Exchange, presentations on the Christian trade in five countries were made.  Some spoke of their history of Christian literature distribution going back to communism.  Others asked for prayer for the challenges faced in todays Post Christian Europe.  The countries featured were Estonia, Germany, Poland, Slovakia, and Ukraine.  As prayers were said in native tongues, all realized how linked we are through the Kingdom.

A smaller exhibit area this year stayed busy with interested buyers.  Evelynn Lacourt, Strang Communication, claiming that though her appointment book was not full when the convention began, she was busy throughout the convention.

Marketsquare Europe 2009 may move in time and location, based on a research project now being conducted by ChristianTrade.  "We want to be sensitive to the needs of the Christian trade in Europe and support its growth in as responsible a way as possible.  There is no question many find the convention helpful.  How to serve a larger group of this constituency is my goal" explains Jim Powell, ChristianTrade president.