Former BMW, Porsche CEO to Bring Strategies for Business Growth and Transformation to 2027 ABA Convention

The American Bakers Association (ABA) is proud to announce that Kevin Gaskell, former CEO of BMW, Porsche, and Lamborghini Great Britain, will serve as a keynote speaker at the 2027 ABA Convention, taking place May 1–5, 2027, at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Gaskell has a track record of transforming established companies and building successful businesses within some of the world’s leading automotive brands. Today, he applies that experience as a founder and investor across the automotive, data, technology, and manufacturing sectors.

Gaskell’s ABA Convention session, “From Turnaround to Triumph: Leading Successful Outcomes in Business,” will draw on his experience turning bold ideas into business results. He will challenge executives to think beyond traditional business models and explore strategies for innovation, expansion, and long-term success. Gaskell will share forward-thinking business approaches, strategic decisions, and insights into building high-performance cultures that turn ambitious ideas into extraordinary business results.

“Supporting growth across the commercial baking industry means helping our members see new possibilities for their businesses,” said ABA President and CEO Eric Dell. “Kevin’s experience in finding unique opportunities to elevate businesses aligns with ABA’s Category Growth strategic initiative and will encourage baking manufacturing leaders to challenge conventional thinking, invest in their teams, and pursue strategies that position their companies for long-term success.”

Following the keynote, Gaskell will lead an interactive, peer-to-peer roundtable discussion, giving industry leaders the opportunity to reflect on key takeaways, exchange perspectives, and explore how these ideas apply to their own businesses. Through collaborative discussions, participants will challenge conventional thinking, share experiences, and identify fresh approaches and actionable strategies to drive business growth, innovation, and transformation.

“We design the Convention experience to connect fresh perspectives with meaningful conversations across the baking industry,” said ABA Senior Manager of Events and Programming Pippa O’Shea. “Pairing Kevin’s keynote with executive roundtable discussions gives attendees the opportunity to build on what they’ve heard, learn from one another, and consider how those ideas can drive results within their own businesses.”

The 2027 ABA Convention will bring together commercial baking industry leaders to build relationships across the supply chain, exchange insights, and explore opportunities shaping the industry’s future.

To learn more about the 2027 ABA Convention and register, visit americanbakers.org/convention.

About the American Bakers Association

The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the largest and most established trade association for the commercial baking industry in the United States. ABA’s community includes more than 350 baker and allied member companies, representing thousands of commercial baking manufacturing locations across the nation.

Since 1897, ABA has served as the voice of the baking industry, offering compelling advocacy, insightful thought leadership, and comprehensive research on industry trends. ABA members also benefit from extensive business services, including premier networking events, impactful knowledge sharing, and effective workforce development programs and training resources.

ABA is committed to advancing its mission by growing the category and promoting the industry as a destination workplace. In 2025, ABA earned the prestigious Great Place To Work® Certification, underscoring its commitment to the Higher Level Impact strategic objective: fostering a strong internal culture that drives excellence across the commercial baking industry.