Baking & Snack - June 2022 - 15

SPECIAL REPORT
Meet the IBIE Team
Robb mackie
Meet
The head of ABA says get ready for substantial and lasting impacts at IBIE 2022.
Between show features addressing hot
topics, the Innovation Showcase and the
hundreds of new products launched at
IBIE, you'll learn about emerging trends
and advancements,
so you get ahead of
How will IBIE 2022 build off the success of
IBIE 2019?
The IBIE committee has been tremendously strategic
in determining which areas we should grow by looking
at data to support that strategy. Our attendees have
always been incredibly busy, but now, given all the new
challenges thrown their way, we are even more mindful
of bringing programming that addresses their specific
needs today as well as in the next five to 10 years.
How have the past two years impacted
the planning of the show, and what can
attendees and exhibitors expect?
Normally, the IBIE planning committee meets several
times in person throughout the three years between
shows. However, we went more than two years without
seeing each other all in one place face-to-face. That said,
the planning has been even more involved and more rigorous
virtually.
IBIE is the largest baking trade show in the Americas
for a reason. It showcases the entire vertical supply chain
and offers something of value for every segment within
the grain-based food industry. Here, you'll find everything
you need to run a successful operation under one
roof, making it easy and efficient to shop thousands of
products and solutions. For example, if your business
is looking to solve for a labor challenge you can quickly
weigh your options, vendors and price points for automation
solutions. This time at the Expo also allows you to
reconnect with new or current vendors to forge deep relationships,
forecast lead times or supply challenges, ask
product experts technical questions or see live demos.
what's next. If any of those pain points sound
familiar, IBIE is exactly where you need to be.
In just a few days you'll be able to generate substantial
and lasting impacts for your business.
We're bringing back some of our most popular show features,
including the Artisan Marketplace, BEST in Baking,
RBA Bakers Center and the Innovation Showcase. Other
returning features include the Creative Cake Decorating
Competition, the International Trade Center, the Great
American Pie Festival, the Pizza Information Center and a
newly rebranded QuickBITES (Baking Industry Trends &
Educational Stories) to reflect the 20-minute TED-style talks
designed to inspire and shed light on industry hot topics.
What new features should people check out
at this year's event?
We're debuting two new pavilions at IBIE, one focused
on the business of cannabis baked goods and the other
on sanitation solutions, which is an increasingly important
topic. Aside from gathering exhibitors based on
these areas of expertise, the Cannabis Central Pavilion
will also offer education sessions about the business of
cannabis-infused baked goods and confections.
What's the top reason people come to IBIE?
Beyond the value we all get from attending IBIE, I'm most
proud of the value we're providing the industry. IBIE is a
nonprofit event supported by ABA, BEMA and the RBA,
with all proceeds invested back into the industry. Over
the past decade, IBIE has reinvested more than $18 million
in the baking industry and helps fund a number of
meaningful initiatives for industry growth and success,
including scholarships, advocacy, consumer education,
sustainability, food safety and more.
www.bakingbusiness.com / June 2022 Baking & Snack 15
by Alex Greenwood
R
Robb MacKie is president and chief executive officer of
the American Bakers Association (ABA). He has worked
in the baking industry for 27 years, and this year is his
ninth International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE).
IBIE is owned by ABA and BEMA, and supported by
the Retail Bakers of America (RBA).
http://www.retailbakersofamerica.org/ http://www.bakingbusiness.com
Baking & Snack - June 2022

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