FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January, 29, 2026
Emily Bowers
913/338-1300
ebowers@bema.org
BEMA Announces Sanitary Design Workshop, March 31–April 1, 2026
Overland Park, KS — January 29, 2026 — BEMA, in collaboration with the American Society of Baking (ASB) and the Baking Equipment Assessment Group (BEAG), is pleased to announce the Sanitary Design Workshop, a two-day, in-depth educational program focused on practical, real-world approaches to sanitation, food safety, and sanitary design. The workshop will take place March 31–April 1, 2026, in Chicago at the Loews Chicago O’Hare Hotel.
Designed for baking and food manufacturing professionals across operations, engineering, sanitation, maintenance, and food safety, the Sanitary Design Workshop delivers foundational principles and actionable tools through hands-on activities and real-world case studies. The program emphasizes aligning sanitation practices with equipment and facility design to improve efficiency, reduce risk, and support long-term operational success.
Workshop topics include sanitation fundamentals and risk assessment, dry versus wet cleaning strategies, water control, equipment and facility sanitary design best practices, maintenance and lifecycle management, capital and construction considerations, and strategies to optimize sanitation for efficiency, cost reduction, and minimized downtime.
In addition to practical sanitation and sanitary design instruction, the workshop will include insight from the Baking Equipment Assessment Group (BEAG) on how the bakery-specific ANSI/ASB Z50.2 sanitary design standard can strengthen food safety programs. BEAG will highlight how certification supports consistent evaluation of equipment design, improves confidence in sanitation performance, and provides credible documentation that can be leveraged across purchasing, compliance, and internal stakeholder alignment.
The program features expert instructors and industry leaders, including representatives from General Mills, Campbell’s, Mead & Hunt, NGI Global, Indue, Commercial Food Sanitation, and BEAG, bringing diverse perspectives and deep technical expertise to the learning experience.
“High-quality, hands-on training like this is essential for advancing sanitation and food safety across our industry. The Sanitary Design Workshop brings expert insight together in a practical format, and the convenient location makes it easier for teams to attend, learn, and bring meaningful improvements back to their facilities.”, Emily Bowers, executive vice president, BEMA.
Registration for the Sanitary Design Workshop is $995, with a $100 discount available for BEMA member, ASB members and BEAG registered companies . Space is limited to ensure an interactive, high-quality learning environment.
A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available for $2,500, offering organizations increased visibility and direct engagement with attendees during this highly focused technical program.
The Sanitary Design Workshop reflects BEMA’s ongoing commitment to advancing food safety, operational excellence, and collaboration across the baking and food manufacturing industries.
For additional information, registration details, or sponsorship inquiries, visit www.bema.org.
About BEMA
BEMA is a 105-year-old trade association representing more than 220 member companies across the wholesale baking industry. BEMA brings together bakers, equipment manufacturers, and allied partners to deliver education, networking, and industry leadership. BEMA is a co-owner of the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) and the developer of NEXUS, a commercial-based connection platform for the industry.
About BEAG
The Bakery Equipment Assessment Group (BEAG) operates under the umbrella of the American Society of Baking (ASB). BEAG’s primary mission is to evaluate and certify bakery equipment for compliance with the ANSI Z50.2 standard for hygienic design. This certification ensures that equipment meets rigorous safety and sanitation requirements, supporting bakeries in delivering high-quality, safe products to consumers. BEAG works closely with equipment manufacturers, bakeries, and industry stakeholders to advance best practices and foster innovation.
About ASB
The American Society of Baking (ASB) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing baking science and technology. ASB provides education, networking, and technical resources to baking professionals worldwide. Through initiatives like BEAG, ASB promotes industry standards, food safety, and continuous improvement in bakery operations.
