Enterprise at the 2016 APA Convention

Although I am a professor of communication, not psychology, I have attended and made presentations at several American Psychological conventions. Due to Elaine Clanton Harpine's connections, it has been my privilege to appear on the same panels as some of the nation's most prominent psychologists.

One obvious difference between the APA Convention and the National Communication Association Convention is that APA features much more commercial enterprise. Here are some observations about the 2016 APA Convention.

First, the first sight when one enters the exhibit hall is a large bookstore. APA has a substantial publication program. In addition to its extensive program of research-oriented psychology journals, APA publishes books on many psychology topics. They publish reference manuals, as well as books about therapy, social issues, and career advancement. They publish a substantial list of children's books. The bookstore also sells APA shirts, APA coffee mugs, APA pens, APA portfolios, and so forth. I imagine that this enterprise is profitable; also, the Association's program helps to spread psychological knowledge and publicize the association.

Bookstore at the 2016 APA Convention

Bookstore at APA Convention

Also, the APA exhibit hall features far more vendors than the NCA Convention. Although the publishing industry's consolidation has affected it severely, APA also attracts graduate schools, recruiters, and vendors of psychological programs. 

APA Exhibit Hall, 2016

Of course, I do need to brag about Elaine Clanton Harpine's latest book, Group-Centered Prevention in Mental Health, on the Springer table.

Springer Book Table

The APA Convention was a wonderful experience, and learning the perspective of a different social science has been very enlightening. Also see my posts about Student Presentations at APA and Communication Issues at the APA Convention.