Focus On The Future Of The Baking Industry At ABA 2015 Convention

WASHINGTON, DC – The American Bakers Association (ABA) 2015 Convention will kick off on Sunday, March 29, with content-rich industry dialogues on the future of the baking industry.

During the All Membership Meeting, ABA President and CEO Robb MacKie and Grain Foods Foundation (GFF) Executive Director Christine Cochran will lead a discussion on “Keeping Grains on the Plate: How Does the Industry Stay Relevant?” Joining them will be GFF Scientific Advisory Board Members Bruce K. Young, MD, Glenn Gaesser, PhD, and Suzanne Steinbaum, DO. Yanni Papanikolaou, MPH, will also be in attendance to highlight GFF’s recent nutrition research process and outcomes.

Following this panel will be a conversation on “Engaging the Next Generation of Baking Leaders,” moderated by Laurie Graves, Chair of the ABA Human Resources Committee and Director of People Systems for The Bama Companies. The panel will feature ABA Executive Leadership Development Committee (ELDC) Co-Chairs Jesse Amoroso, Vice President for Amoroso’s Baking Company, and Morgan Murphy, Sales – Southwest Division for Mother Murphy’s Laboratories. Drawing on their experiences, the panel will discuss what the next generation is seeking from a company in regards to professional development and what a company and the industry can do to attract these leaders. An exciting announcement about the future of ELDC will also be made during this session.

“These panels during the All Membership Meeting present a unique opportunity for the industry to hold a conversation about the latest developments being made in nutrition research and workforce development,” said MacKie. “It is vital that the industry discuss these two important topics in a frank and forthright manner. The industry also needs to be aware of the important work GFF has delivered. The importance of leadership development was best illustrated by ABA Chairman Rich Scalise during his remarks at last year’s Convention, ‘The sustained success of our industry depends on motivating, attracting, and retaining young leaders.’”  

The 2015 ABA Convention is taking place March 29 – April 1, at the Ritz Grande Lakes Orlando. As the premier annual gathering of the baking industry, top industry leaders will attend to hear from business and political speakers, learn about the latest trends, connect with industry colleagues, share ideas, and develop solutions on baking issues. More information and registration can be found at www.americanbakers.org/2015ABAConvention. Follow the Convention with #PowerofBaking.  

About the American Bakers Association:

The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 700 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $102 billion in economic activity annually and employs more than 706,000 highly skilled people.

About “The Power of Baking”

As part of its convention and yearlong theme, ABA will be sharing “The Power of Baking” with baking industry, policymakers and key influencers with focused messages based on economic, consumer and nutrition facts and research. Over the course of 2015, ABA will be illustrating the impact of baking in the retail marketplace by imparting data that proves baking is one of America’s most powerful industries. Learn more at www.americanbakers.org.

Source: American Bakers Association