Committees

Our Members
Lead Our Growth

Committees Info 1

Driving Industry Impact Together

BEMA’s standing committees bring members together to shape the programs, resources, and connections that strengthen our industry. These groups serve as collaborative hubs where ideas are shared, initiatives take root, and members can make a meaningful impact on the direction of the association.

Opportunities To Lead And Contribute

Serving on a committee is a hands-on way to get involved, build relationships, and contribute your expertise to the broader baking community. Whether guiding education, events, or member engagement, committee volunteers help ensure BEMA delivers real value while creating stronger bonds across the industry.

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Committees Info 2

BEMA Committee Details

Convention & Programs

Term Goals:

  • Shape keynote content
    • Ensure keynote Convention speakers deliver measurable member value and align with strategic priorities
  • Expand baker engagement
    • Recruit 40 baker attendees and maintain focus on recruiting 30% first-time baker participation
  • Evaluate and improve experiences
    • Use feedback to recommend one Convention experience enhancement or format improvement
  • Bookend the baker experience
    • Start with the baker invitation process, continue with the pre-event informal touch points, and complete the Convention cycle by conducting post-event conversations with all bakers

Chair persons: Brandon Woods, Joanie Spencer, Mike LaValle

Staff Liaison: Rene Boudreaux and Ella Bowers

Convention & Programs – June 2026 Minutes

Term Goals:

  • Guide tiered membership model implementation
    • Review member feedback, recommend policy updates, and evaluate success of the new model
  • Execute new & renewed member ambassador program
    • Committee members will adopt a small portfolio of members to contact within 30 days of joining/renewing’ help connect members to committees and BEMA benefits that fit their needs
  • Lead lapsed member outreach
    • Committee members contact and listen to former members.
  • Impact Convention engagement
    • Assess previous membership programs at Convention and make recommendations for 2027. For example: program for first-timers or member benefit moment.

Chair persons: Blake Day, Michelle Pournelle, Sergio Caballero

Staff Liaison: Wes Luczak

Membership Value & Engagement – June 2026 Minutes

Term Goals:

  • Execute member listening initiative
    • Each committee member conducts 5-8 structured conversations with assigned members to identify emerging issues and unmet needs
  • Lead association and program engagement campaigns
    • Peer-to-peer engagement to invite members to programs, encourage new members to engage, reconnect members who have not recently participated
  • Serve as the BEMA Intel Advisory Council
    • What intelligence do members need right now? What questions should BEMA be asking? What topics deserve deeper research? Which trends require discussion beyond data?
  • Conduct Industry Pulse Discussions
    • Rather than relying on surveys, the committee will host 30-minute listening sessions with target audiences: operations, HR, sales, young professionals, etc.

Chair persons: Eric Cruse, Teresa Ruder, Audrey St. Onge

Staff Liaison: Emily Bowers

Association Outreach & Engagement – June 2026 Minutes