You’re set to attend IBIE in Las Vegas in a few days and you need a plan your time at the largest grain-based event in the Western Hemisphere.
Look no further. Here’s a cheat sheet covering show floor exhibits, education, special events, networking opportunities, and more. Also check out our quick take podcast on practical tips for the show floor from ABA staff.
1. Get Strategic in Expo Hall
Visitors are most productive when they prepare in advance for navigating IBIE’s sprawling exhibit spaces. Exhibitors represent every segment of the grain-based foods industry across the entire vertical supply chain.
Attendees can discover the latest equipment, technology, ingredients, packaging, trends and innovation from the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers.
The show floor includes 135+ booths from ABA member exhibitors.
“Make a plan for your time on the show floor so it is most productive,” said Samantha Moore, ABA’s Senior Director, Meetings and Education.
2. Tap into Education
IBIEducate offers more than 100 education sessions that cover the most important topics impacting the baking industry. IBIEducate’s $175 SuperPass enables all access to dozens of $30 sessions over four days.
ABA’s contributions to IBIEducate focus on education sessions tailored to member needs. “We’ve curated session on topics ranging from manufacturing and sustainability to food safety and government policy,” noted Pippa O’Shea, ABA’s Education Manager.
ABA will present two first-time IBIE workshops – on Gluten Washing and Understanding Leavening Functionality — geared to beginner- to intermediate-level professionals. Both sessions ($100 per attendee per session) will be led by Brian Strouts, an industry veteran who is Technical Advisor to ABA.
Other ABA sessions will include: Supply Chain Challenges: A Panel Discussion; The New Rules for Leveraging Contract Manufacturing Relationships; Transforming a Traditional Bakery with Sustainability; Regenerative Ag, and ABA Monitoring Chemical Hazards in Foods.
3. Take Advantage of Special Features
IBIE is packed with special features that enrich the show experiences of attendees — ranging from showcases to marketplaces and awards programs.
“The special features are exciting and educational and an important part of the IBIE experience,” said Robb MacKie, ABA President and CEO.
These opportunities include IBIE’s Innovation Showcase and an Artisan Marketplace.
Other features include Best in Baking Industry Awards, Creative Cake Decorating Competition, RBA Baker Center, The Great American Pie Festival, Tiptree World of Bread Awards, and The Rockin’ Pint musical gathering.
These and additional opportunities can be further explored in the show features section of IBIE’s website.
4. Make Use of ABA BEMA Booth
The ABA BEMA show floor booth — number WL2. — should be considered a must-stop as you navigate IBIE.
The booth will offer special activities, a seating area, meeting space, information on ABA member benefits, and other features.
“We’ve tailored the booth experience to make sure members get the most benefit out of IBIE,” said Jennifer Colfelt, ABA’s Vice President, Operation and Membership.
The booth will feature special events in the mornings before the trade show floor opens. These include a Sneak Preview of key findings from the new ABA consumer study Life Through the Lens of Bakery (September 18, 8:30am-9am), and a look at best practices for diversity initiatives (September 19, 9am-10am).
The booth is also the starting point for pre-arranged custom show floor walks with an ABA technical advisor (Contact the ABA membership team).
5. Prioritize Networking and Connections
Attendees at IBIE have many opportunities to network and connect with industry colleagues at gatherings and celebrations.
One of the premier networking opportunities is ABA’s NextGenBaker Leadership Forum, which will be held Sept. 20 at from 5 p.m. to 6:30pm.
“The forum is a great opportunity to connect with peers and learn from a panel of industry leaders,” said Christina Donnelly, ABA’s Director, Industry Relations and Strategic Initiatives.
The panel will include senior leaders from Crown Bakeries, Puratos, Flowers Foods, and Aspire Bakeries. The forum will open with a cocktail reception. Registration is required in addition to IBIE registration, with a special member rate.
The upshot of all these tips is to get ready for IBIE before you go, and to have a good time while at the event. Finally, here’s a bit of additional info from ABA to help plan your trip.
