Baking & Snack - March 2022 - 93

SPECIAL REPORT
Meeting Preview
tortillas
GAIN MOMENTUM
The 2022 TIA Convention will help tortilla makers build on the industry's growth.
by Lucas Cuni-Mertz
A
As at-home cooking increased due to the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic, the tortilla category has enjoyed
strong growth for the past two years.
At this year's 33rd
annual Tortilla Industry Association
(TIA) Convention, held May 18-19 at Planet Hollywood in
Las Vegas, tortilla makers can gain the valuable information,
products and connections needed to capitalize on the
industry's momentum.
" You have all the latest ingredients, machinery and
products needed by tortilla manufacturers - all under
one roof, " said Jim Kabbani, chief executive officer, TIA.
" It's a very efficient place for tortilla manufacturers to keep
abreast of what's available to them in their work. "
One of the biggest benefits of the convention is its strong
educational component, Mr. Kabbani said.
Each year TIA surveys its members ahead of the convention
to determine their most important industry questions
and concerns.
" We then tailor our sessions to specifically address
those topics and find the best speakers in that area, " Mr.
Kabbani said.
An important topic of discussion at this year's convention
will be the increase in co-manufacturing relationships.
Recent market challenges have left some tortilla manufacturers
with excess capacity - or not enough, Mr. Kabbani
explained.
" We're going to have a session on how to successfully negotiate
and navigate co-manufacturing relationships, from
both the perspective of the person who is outsourcing their
production as well as the person who is picking it up. "
Other topics will include navigating the challenges of logistics,
dealing with labor shortages and analyzing the true
product costs in the face of supply chain. Attendees can
also learn best practices for equipment management and
how to select the right flour for each tortilla application.
Another valuable component of the TIA Convention is
www.bakingbusiness.com / March 2022 Baking & Snack 93
its networking opportunities for exhibitors and attendees.
" I know that networking sometimes sounds like a fluff
word, but in reality, it's very important, " Mr. Kabbani said.
" Our conference tends to be more like reunions. People reconnect
with old friends and old customers, and they also
make a lot of valuable new business connections. "
Mr. Kabbani also noted that the tortilla industry has lots
of consolidation, and with low barrier of entry, there are
many new companies entering the industry and looking
for partnerships.
" They find the TIA Convention is a great place to
get a head start being successful in the industry, " Mr.
Kabbani said.
Last year's convention, the first in-person convention
since the start of the pandemic, saw record turnout. Mr.
Kabbani expects another solid showing, including more
than 500 attendees and 60 exhibitors.
*
The TIA
Convention
will address
the industry's
biggest concerns,
including comanufacturing
and
labor
shortages.
Tortilla Industry Association
http://www.bakingbusiness.com
Baking & Snack - March 2022

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