Attending in-person? Join us in South Carolina at the beautiful Montage Palmetto Bluff, June 20th – 24th for industry insight sessions, BEMA Connect, and a variety of opportunities to network and build valuable connections. Our goal is for Convention to leave you with an inspired and positive outlook on the future of the baking industry.
More comfortable where you are? Take part in the Workforce Edition, being held Wednesday, June 21st, then continue along with BEMA Live being shared virtually on the 22nd and 23rd, all from the solace of your home or office. Wednesday’s programming will bring unique and interactive professional development workshops with opportunities to learn skills that you can utilize immediately, all designed specifically for the baking industry workforce.
Time Zone
During our Convention, Palmetto Bluff will be on Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
Name Badges
Name badges are provided for all registered attendees. Your name badge is required at all planned functions. Name badges will be included in your welcome packet.
Weather
While you never know what Mother Nature will bring, Palmetto Bluff averages a daily temperature for June between 90- and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. It will likely be a smidge hot and humid when enjoying activities outdoors, and a cool air-conditioned environment when attending events indoors.
KEY CONTACTS
For general questions regarding BEMA Convention 2023, please contact:
Emily Bowers, BEMA
Office: 913-338-1300
Cell: 816-805-9799
Email: ebowers@bema.org
For questions regarding first-time BEMA Member attendance or to reserve a suite, contact:
Kelly Allen, BEMA
Office: 913-338-1300
Cell: 913-424-0210
Email: kallen@bema.org
For registration questions, changes, or cancellations, contact:
Andrew Garrelts, BEMA
Office: 913-338-1300
Cell: 757-675-2117
Email: agarrelts@bema.org
Montage Palmetto Bluff
477 Mount Pelia Road, Bluffton, SC 29910
Phone: 1-843-706-6500
Montage Palmetto Bluff
Nestled along the scenic May River in South Carolina’s Lowcountry, Montage Palmetto Bluff is set within a vibrant 20,000-acre community between Hilton Head Island and Savannah. Providing guests access to all that Palmetto Bluff has to offer, the resort encompasses an extensive nature preserve, two picturesque villages featuring an array of inspired dining options, a riverfront marina and a Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
Daily Resort Fee Includes*
HOTEL RESERVATION DEADLINE: MAY 12, 2023; as long as rooms are available. After this date, BEMA cannot guarantee availability and rates.
Guaranteed Reservations
All reservations will require a non-refundable deposit equal to first night’s group room rate and tax at the time the reservation is confirmed. Additionally, a non-refundable deposit equal to second night’s group room rate and tax will be charged to the credit card on file 60 days prior to reservation arrival date. A final deposit equal to all remaining nights group room rate and tax will be charged to the credit card on file 30 days prior to reservation arrival date.
Baker & Speaker Guests
Bakers are guests of BEMA and do not need to book their own hotel room. Emily Bowers will assist you in securing your reservation, as well as making any modifications.
Room Types and Rates
BEMA has reserved various room types for our group. Prices are exclusive of tax, resort fee and parking fees.
Need more space? BEMA has secured a limited number of connecting rooms as well as a limited number of suites that will accommodate larger families. Please email Kelly Allen or call the BEMA office at 913-338-1300 for assistance booking suites or connecting rooms.
*Sleeping room rates are quoted in US Dollars exclusive of applicable taxes and resort fee. A resort fee of $22 per night plus 6% tax per room per night will be charged.
Parking is available for $25 per day, per car.
HOTEL RESERVATION DEADLINE: 5:00 PM EST, MAY 12, 2023; as long as rooms are available
Cancellations for your BEMA Convention Registration received in writing by close of business on June 3rd, 2023 will be refunded less a 5% cancellation charge. Cancellations for your BEMA Convention Registration received in writing by close of business after June 3rd through close of business on June 17th will receive a 75% refund. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after June 17th, 2023.
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Board of Director’s Meeting *invitation only
Baking Industry Forum Meeting *invitation only
Past Chairman’s Dinner *invitation only
Small Group Dinners *registration required
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
BEMA Cup Golf Tournament @ Hilton Head National *registration required
Workforce Wednesday Virtual Programming
Past Chairman’s Meeting *invitation only
Kid’s Welcome Event
Welcome Jamboree
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Good Morning Breakfast
Keynote Speaker & Industry Insight Discussions
General Membership Meeting
Committee Meetings
Tours *registration required
Small Group Dinners *registration required
Friday, June 23, 2023
Tours *registration required
Ask-A-Baker Luncheon & Discussion
Industry Insight Session
BEMA Block Party
Saturday, June 24, 2023
Breakfast Breakout Sessions
BEMA Connect
Chairman’s Dinner & Dance
As a featured sponsor, your company will be prominently featured in front of key players in the industry, many of whom are customers or potential customers. We believe Convention 2023 is an outstanding opportunity to raise your brand’s awareness. For questions or more information contact Kelly Allen.
WELCOME JAMBOREE – LOW COUNTRY BOIL
Enjoy a leisurely boat ride through the bluff over to Moreland Island for a relaxed and comfortable evening. You’ll enjoy delicious eats, refreshing drinks, and the music of a local band.
BEMA BLOCK PARTY
An outdoor, old-fashioned good time for everyone! Guests of all ages will enjoy backyard BBQ, competitive games (both for athletic and less-athletic folks), s’mores around the campfire as evening falls, and the company of wonderful friends.
SMALL GROUP DINNERS WITH BAKERS
Connect with customers in a small-group setting. We’ll organize small groups of bakers and suppliers – spouses/guests included – to enjoy local restaurants.*
BEMA CONNECT: ONE MEMBER, ONE BAKER, CONNECTING
BEMA Connect introduces bakers to suppliers they aren’t currently working with and matches the baker’s needs with your specific solutions. Meet one-on-one with baker guests, speed dating style.
*An email with registration details for BEMA Connect and Small Group Dinners will be sent to registered Convention attendees on May 12, 2023.
BEMA CUP GOLF TOURNAMENT
Hilton Head National Golf Course is the setting for the BEMA Cup. Located in Bluffton, SC is just one mile from the bridges to Hilton Head Island and a half hour’s drive from historic downtown Savannah, GA. The course itself is a golfing gem. It has been acclaimed for more than 30 years as “the best-conditioned layout in the region.” Moreover, it’s routinely rated among the top public courses in South Carolina.
Hall of Fame golfer Gary Player and course architecture award winner Bobby Weed each contributed their distinctive design philosophies here in ways that make every club in your bag important. Experienced golfers are quick to point out: “Hilton Head National is a course that’s challenging but not punishing. It’s a joy to play!”
Hilton Head National boasts immaculately groomed TifEagle Ultra greens that run fast and true. The opening holes offer several strategic risk-reward challenges: in particular, the Signature 6th, a par 4, bordered its entire fairway by a treacherously close lagoon on the right with dangerous pot bunkers on the left. The back nine is tighter and rewards players with a good short game. Most memorable for many, however, is the abundance of wildlife, but no houses overlooking the fairways or greens. The course has a private club atmosphere but is accessible to all.
As Gary Player says: “Hilton Head National is my promise to you of an exceptional golf experience!”
CHAIRMAN’S DINNER
Celebrate a great year as we pass the gavel to the next chairman, then dance the night away. The whole family is invited to this event! Please plan on festive, semi-formal cocktail party attire for the Chairman’s events.
Click the links below to learn more about the activities, tours, and airport transportation for BEMA Convention 2023.
AIRPORT TRANSPORTATION
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Board of Director’s Meeting *invitation only
Baking Industry Forum Meeting *invitation only
Past Chairman’s Dinner *invitation only
Small Group Dinners *registration required
Wednesday, June 21, 2023
BEMA Cup Golf Tournament @ Hilton Head National *registration required
Past Chairman’s Meeting *invitation only
Kid’s Welcome Event
Welcome Jamboree
Thursday, June 22, 2023
Good Morning Breakfast
Keynote Speaker & Industry Insight Discussions
General Membership Meeting
Committee Meetings
Tours *registration required
Small Group Dinners *registration required
Friday, June 23, 2023
Tours *registration required
Ask-A-Baker Luncheon & Discussion
Industry Insight Session
BEMA Block Party
Saturday, June 24, 2023
Breakfast Breakout Sessions
BEMA Connect *registration required
Chairman’s Dinner & Dance
We are so excited to announce Convention 2022's Keynote Speaker sponsored by Kwik Lok is Stephanie Stuckey!
Stephanie Stuckey is the CEO of Stuckey’s, the roadside oasis famous for its pecan log rolls. The company was founded by Stephanie’s grandfather, W.S. Stuckey, Sr., as a pecan stand in Eastman, GA in 1937 and grew to over 350 stores across the country. The company was sold in 1964 but is now back in family hands and making a comeback.
Stephanie took over the company in November of 2019 and, under her leadership, Stuckey’s has rebranded its products and website, added four new franchised stores, expanded its B2B retail customer base, and increased online sales 550% — all while weathering the COVID-19 pandemic.
BEMA Convention 2022 Workforce Edition is designed to ensure that those who are unable to attend BEMA Convention 2022 in person can participate and engage from the comfort of their workplace conference room, home office, or the local coffee shop.
Workforce Edition will be held on June 22nd and continue along with the Convention events being shared virtually on the 23rd & 24th. Wednesday’s programming will bring unique and interactive professional development workshops with opportunities to learn tools and skills that you can utilize immediately, all designed specifically for the baking industry workforce.
Click here to review the program agenda – ALL agenda times are Pacific timezone.
PLEASE NOTE: Workforce Edition cost is already included in the Convention 2022 registration for any company that has a representative attending in-person. In other words, if an employee of your company is attending Convention in California, all employees of that company can attend Workforce Edition at no additional cost. If you have an employee attending in-person, please contact Emily Bowers for a discount code before you register.
ADDITIONALLY: To ensure that we have an accurate count of those who plan to attend, please complete this checkout and registration process for each person who plans to attend Workforce sessions.