IBIE 2019

Hobnobbing at IBIE: Roundup of exposition’s jam-packed schedule

19-Aug-2019 - Last updated on 19-Aug-2019 at 14:35 GMT

IBIE offers a whole host of things to do, see, touch, smell, taste and imagine. Pics: IBIE

Anticipation is building as the clock counts down for the kickoff of the International Baking Industry Exposition – one of the most important events of the global bakery industry’s calendar – scheduled to open doors at the Las Vegas Convention Center on September 7.

This year sees the triennial event’s largest show in its near 100-year history.

Please note: registration/tickets are required for most of the events, click here.

Commonly known as the Baking Expo, IBIE – which is sponsored by the American Bakers Association (ABA), the Baking Equipment Manufacturers and Allieds (BEMA) and the Retail Bakers of America (RBA) – offers the ideal platform to conduct face-to-face meetings, participate in conference sessions and demos, and get a glimpse of the sector’s newest innovations and sample prototypes at the coalface.

“IBIE is the baking community’s best opportunity to come together and celebrate the industry’s advancements, develop new skills, build powerful relationships, collaborate to address challenges, and explore innovations,” said Joe Turano, chairman of IBIE.

“Bakers can expect to see a broad range of trends on the expo floor – from digital technology applications and scaled artisan baking solutions, to continuously evolving ingredients and rise in direct-to-consumer e-commerce sales. There have been rapid advancements in the last three years and IBIE 2019 is the place to see them.”

Business of baking

The triennial event kicks off with a newly implemented full day of education on September 7. Targeted sessions have been designed to allow every role and segment of the industry gain valuable strategies to develop and improve product, optimize production and increase sales and profits.

Courses range from ‘Applying food safety best practices’ to ‘Plant automation trends’ and ‘Baking with edible cannabis.’ The day will also offer hands-on workshops and interactive sessions designed for artisan and retail bakers.

“As the industry’s most important gathering, IBIE’s goal is to provide education that truly benefits attendees and gives them the tools they need to drive their businesses forward,” said Andrea Henderson, chairwoman of the IBIE Education Task Force.

“Education remains one of the primary reasons to attend a trade event. IBIEducate gives attendees more than 100 tailored sessions to participate in during the show – the largest education program IBIE has ever offered.”

The speaker roster includes thought leaders like Jonathan Davis, senior VP of La Brea Bakery/Otis Spunkmeyer, Robb Mackie, president and CEO of ABA, and Dr Jim Painter from the University of Texas-Houston.

Let down your hair

The highly acclaimed All-American Tailgate Party is returning on Saturday 8, giving the raft of international attendees a chance to immerse themselves in a much-loved American tradition.

“It’s a great way for exhibitors to entertain customers and international guests to experience an all-American tailgate,” said Kerwin Brown, president and CEO of BEMA, noting it is also an important platform for networking.

“The tailgate really sets the tone. We’re all about business, but it’s great to mix in some fun, too. This brings together our community, generates excitement around the event and leaves participants feeling more connected.”

Celeb bakers

At the all-new RBA Bakers Center, sponsored by Bundy Baking Solutions, attendees can attend riveting baking competitions and live demonstrations from some of the biggest names in the industry – including celebs like TV’s Cake Boss Buddy Valastro, and glowing awards.

“IBIE wouldn’t be the same without popular returning features, including the BEST in Baking Industry Awards, Pillsbury Bakers’ Plus Creative Decorating Competition, The Great American Pie Festival, Innovation Showcase, RPIA’s Business of Baking for Beginners (BOB) and the TIA Technical Conference,” added Turano.

Virtual bakery tours and more

The IBIE Artisan Marketplace Crafted by Puratos and the IBIE Artisan Marketplace Crafted by Bread Bakers Guild of America will provide personalized experiences for bakers looking to hone their skills and capitalize on growing trends.
The iba.Virtual Bakery Tours offers attendees on-the-ground visits to some of the industry’s most renowned bakeries – like Apollonion Bakery in Athens and Joseph Brot in Vienna – without leaving Las Vegas.
Fresh Take Talks, presented by The Grain Foods Foundation (GFF), are quick 20-minute presentations on grain industry topics, such as The Women’s Bakery founder Markey Culver’s talk on ‘An invitation to see bread differently’ and Nutritional Strategies' Yanni Papanikolaou’s ‘The good in grain: what science says.’
Additionally, GFF will lead 'The state of the union: media shaping the bakery marketplace’ to explore issues like glyphosate, emerging ingredients and celebrity influence.

Leadership forum

A must-not miss event is the NextGenBaker Global Leadership Forum scheduled for September 10, where some of the industry’s most lauded leaders gather for a panel discussion on how to address the varied demands of consumers.

Panelists include Daniel Servitje, chairman and CEO of Grupo Bimbo, Brad Alexander, COO of Flowers Foods, Luc Mongeau, president of Weston Foods and Carrie Jones-Barber, CEO of Dawn Foods. BakeryandSnacks will be in attendance and will follow up on a full report for its readers.