Inter-Varsity Press at The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference 2026: Reflections from Indianapolis

Earlier this month, members of our team travelled to Indianapolis to exhibit at The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference 2026 for the first time. With this year's theme, Turn Your Eyes: Seeing the Saviour in the Psalms, the conference brought together thousands of women seeking to grow in their understanding of God's Word and encourage one another in faith and ministry.

Representing Inter-Varsity Press at Stand 201 were members of our editorial, sales and marketing teams. Over three days, we had the pleasure of meeting readers, ministry leaders, booksellers, authors and church workers from across the United States and beyond.

One of the most encouraging aspects of the conference was the level of engagement from attendees. People were not simply browsing the exhibition hall; they came looking for resources to add value to their lives and ministries. Many conversations centred on discipleship, Bible study, theology and women's ministry, all areas that sit at the heart of our publishing.

We met many people who were discovering Inter-Varsity Press for the first time and we were able to share our mission, titles and what makes us a distinguished publisher. Some were looking for resources for their churches or ministries, while others were keen to find new authors and learn more about the kinds of books we publish. These conversations gave us a valuable opportunity to introduce readers to both recent releases and older titles that continue to serve the church well.

As always, some of the best moments came through personal conversations. A recommendation from a member of the team often helped connect someone with exactly the book they were looking for. We were also encouraged by the number of discussions sparked by the titles we had on display, which resonated with attendees and opened up meaningful conversations.

Books offering practical help for Christian living alongside thoughtful engagement with contemporary issues attracted particularly strong interest. Having a clear selection of featured titles on display also helped visitors navigate the breadth of our catalogue and discover books they may otherwise have missed.

The conference was valuable in other ways outside of sales. We were able to build relationships with ministry leaders, booksellers, authors and others serving the church, while also gaining insight into the questions, challenges and interests shaping readers today. Those face-to-face conversations remain one of the most helpful ways of understanding how our books can best serve the church.

As we reflect on the event, we're grateful for the opportunity to represent IVP in a context where there is such strong alignment between the conference audience and our publishing mission. The Gospel Coalition Women's Conference provided not only opportunities for book sales, but also for building awareness of Inter-Varsity Press in a new space, strengthening relationships and learning more about the readers we serve.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by Stand 201 to browse, chat and share your stories. It was a joy to meet you, and we hope to see you again soon.