The 2019 edition of the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) recently wrapped up its largest show to date. The most comprehensive baking industry expo in the Western Hemisphere welcomed industry professionals from around the world on September 7-11 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Nearly 1,000 exhibitors (237 new to IBIE) and the largest show floor in history allowed this year’s event to break records for growth. More than 20,000 professionals walked the exhibit hall and attended education sessions, with attendance from bakers up ten percent from the previous expo.

International markets greatly contributed to the event’s growth, as professionals from more than 100 countries made up nearly 30 percent of the attendance.

“IBIE continues to provide the platform for the entire baking community to gather and celebrate the vibrancy of this industry, innovative trends and digital automation technologies, advances in baking processes and the thousands of bakers and support services who have a passion and commitment to the success of this industry,” says Joe Turano, IBIE chairman.

“IBIE is focused on meeting the professional and business needs of every attendee. We take pride in crafting content that is cutting edge, interactive, engaging and thought-provoking. With a sold-out show floor, we experienced innovations and exciting technology that will lead this industry into the future. I know that we are leaving feeling reenergized and recharged with fresh insights and new relationships to cultivate.”

Among the events highlights:

  • The Innovation Showcase in partnership with Sosland Publishing — since its debut at IBIE 2013, the Innovation showcase continues to grow in importance. This year’s Showcase enjoyed an 8 percent increase in entries over the 2016 event and was prominently featured in the Grand Concourse for attendees to shop and see evolving trends before entering the Exhibit Halls.
  • Fresh Take Talks, presented by Grain Foods Foundation, a series of brief presentations from industry, health and trend experts, returned to IBIE with informative presentations featuring influential thought leaders sharing perspectives on consumer, nutrition and industry trends. The programming was headlined by the founders of Georgetown Cupcakes, speaking on building a passion brand in the baking industry.
  • The two new Artisan Marketplaces crafted by Puratos & Bread Bakers Guide of America (BBGA) respectively, housed a virtual reality tour, samples from the world’s only Sourdough Library, and featured demos from Certified Master Bakers including Lionel Vatinet, Peter Reinhart, Lauren Hass, Stanley Ginsberg, Leslie Mackie, Matt McDonald and many more.
  • iba.Virtual Bakery Tours, in partnership with iba, provided attendees a first-hand look at how world-class artisan and industrial bakeries operate from Cincinnati, San Francisco, Reykjavik, Vienna, Versailles, Athens and more. Virtual reality offered the opportunity to observe how these leaders utilize the ingredients, equipment, technologies and solutions found on the IBIE show floor.
  • IBIEducate presented the largest education offering to date, with more than 100 sessions designed to deliver a fresh, forward-thinking perspective on business, operations and creativity for every role and every segment within the industry. Seminars focused on the most relevant issues facing the industry today. 
  • IBIE provided a newly implemented day of learning—Saturday, September 7. Tailored sessions gave attendees curated, business-focused tools they need to enhance and grow their businesses. Courses included talent management classes with a concentration on acquiring, developing, and retaining employees and cultivating great leaders. The day also offered hands-on workshops designed for artisan bakers taught by Julien Otto from the French Pastry School and hands-on cake decorating skills sessions taught by Bronwen Weber, who has appeared on the Food Network
  • Retail Bakers of America (RBA) Bakers Center - brought to you by Bundy Baking Solutions, hosted baking competitions and live demonstrations from some of the biggest names in the industry, including your Food Network stars Buddy Valastro and Bronwen Weber whose demos were standing room only. This new state of the art center also hosted the 18th annual Pillsbury Bakers’ Plus Grand Champion Creative Decorating Competition.
  • The education also included RPIA’s Business of Baking for Beginners seminar and the Tortilla Industry Association’s two-day Technical Conference, which addressed operation skills, safety regulations, quality control, plant efficiency and best practices for the baking industry’s fastest-growing market segment.
  • Popular returning features included: The All-American Tailgate Party, The Great American Pie Festival and PMQ Pizza Information Center.
  • IBIE introduced a new Student Immersion Program, sponsoring the attendance of 16 emerging professionals,  - 16 emerging professionals were selected for IBIE’s new Student Immersion Program. As participants, they not only gained behind the scenes access and educational and networking opportunities, they were also matched with an industry mentor, participated in meetings with exhibitors and received a stipend for travel and accommodations