IBIE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER

Hello Baking Industry,  By now many of you have probably taken advantage of your priority access to IBIE exhibit space! Whether you’ve just submitted your application for Round 2, or already selected your space in the expo hall – here’s the latest on how to prepare for IBIE 2022, the Western Hemisphere’s largest and most comprehensive baking event.

In this IBIE blog post, Robb MacKie, the President & CEO of the American Bakers Association offers reflections on the global COVID-19 pandemic and how the baking industry, in this crisis and others, has always been and will always be #BakingStrong. The American Bakers Association (ABA), is a  co-owner of IBIE, along with BEMA and in partnership with the Retail Bakers of America.

The baking industry has exhibited an incredible amount of strength and resiliency in this difficult time. As we look forward to IBIE 2022, we are all eager to come together as a community and get back to business.

20/20 Hindsight and Future Opportunities at IBIE 2022 - While it could be easy to dismiss 2020 as an unfortunate year better forgotten, we can’t deny that the last 12 months have pushed the industry in ways many of us never thought possible.

While the pandemic continues to cloud the complete vision of IBIE 2022, it’s not diminishing the anticipation building around the event.

It’s no secret that workforce development is a major challenge in today’s baking industry. At IBIEducate we learned that 78 percent of baking companies are reporting a shortage of employees and at IBIE 2019 we awarded BEST in Baking industry awards to companies that are working to tackle this important issue. In addition, we’re working to create a strong workforce in the future through our new Student Immersion Program, which gives emerging industry professionals a taste of the industry and tools to kickstart their careers.

Every three years, the entire baking community comes together at IBIE to experience new technology, access best-in-class education, find inspiration and connect with important resources. Because this is the venue where baking professionals in all roles and from every industry segment join together, the progress that originates at IBIE helps to shape the future of the global grain-based foods industry.

For nearly 50 years, Earth Day has served as a reminder of how important it is for us all to be good stewards of our planet. At IBIE and Flowers Foods, we recognize that sustainability makes the industry stronger and increases profitability over the long term. Flowers is committed to applying sustainability processes to all aspects of its business. Working with team members, business partners, suppliers, and customers, we continually look to prevent waste of water, packaging, energy, and other resources.

It’s almost time for the International Baking Industry Exposition, the global grain-based food industry’s largest, most comprehensive trade event in the Western Hemisphere. There are many new and exciting features in store this year, from new show floor areas dedicated to the artisan bread industry to the most robust IBIEducate program to-date. IBIE is, of course, an international bakery expo, so you’ll experience unequaled opportunities to connect with a broad range of industry professionals from all over the world.