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1918 | In September 1918, at the Hotel Sherman in Chicago, George E. Dean and others joined forces to
organize BEMA to help with the WWI war effort.
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1920 | The first Baking Expo took place in 1920 in Atlantic City, NJ. Its purpose was to showcase the
products of bakery equipment manufacturers and suppliers.
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1942 | In 1942, BEMA purchased thousands of dollars in War Bonds and encouraged its members to purchase
bonds and freeze equipment prices to support the war effort.
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1948 | BEMA's Technical Committee was created in 1948 to study federal, state and municipal sanitation
regulations for baking machinery.
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1949 | The Technical Committee established the first sanitation codes for BEMA members. In 1949 BEMA,
along with allied organizations, helped form the Baking Industry Sanitation Standards Committee whose purpose is to
develop and promote sanitation standards for bakery equipment.
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1949 | In 1949, BEMA invited the American Bakers Association to co-sponsor the Baking Expo with BEMA. It
was a natural partnership with BEMA members as exhibitors and ABA members as attendees. BEMA and the ABA open the
IBIE with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
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1951 | In 1951, at the request of the U.S. Government, BEMA, representing the baking industry, formed along
with other industries, the National Defense Preparedness Committee, to determine the nation's metal requirements for
every industry. BEMA was first to submit its report to the federal government.
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1955 | The first Bakery Equipment Guide was distributed at the 1955 Bakery Expo. Over 13,000 attendees viewed
the first continuous mixing systems of bread production.
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1967 | In 1967, California Governor Ronald Reagan keynoted the Bakery Expo, where automation of production
equipment and new packaging and labeling machines were featured.
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1970 | In 1970, BEMA threw its support behind the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the
Workmen's Compensation Act. These acts passed Congress, were signed by the President and are still in force today.
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1979 | In 1979, BEMA began donating funds to the industry. The first monetary contribution was made to the
American Institute of Baking.
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1981 | In 1981, the Baking Expo was renamed the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE). The total
number of foreign exhibitors doubled and foreign attendance comprised more than 20% of all attendees.
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1984 | In 1984, BEMA launched its "Warning Label" program featuring different labels equipment manufacturers
could display on their products.
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1991 | In 1991, BEMA transferred the warning label program to the AIB and it was incorporated into their
safety program.
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1992 | In 1992, BEMA's membership exceeded 100 members.
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1995 | In 1995, BEMA launched BEMATech, an all industry technology conference and small trade show, in
conjunction with NAFEM '95. The show proved to be a success and was followed with an even bigger BEMATech 97.
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2000 | In 2000, BEMA opened up membership to all suppliers and changed its logo to reflect that decision.
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2001 | At the 2001 IBIE, BEMA distributed the newly renamed Bakery Equipment, Product and Service Guide.
The guide identifies BEMA suppliers and the products and services they provide.
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2002 | In 2002, BEMA's membership exceeded 200 members.
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2002 | In 2002, BEMA dissolved BEMATech in favor of holding the International Baking Industry Exposition
(IBIE) every three years.
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2005 | In 2005, BEMA's offices moved from Chicago (Wilmette, IL) to Kansas City (Overland Park, KS.)
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