Washington, D.C. — The 2019 International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE)—the most comprehensive event in the Western Hemisphere for the grain-based food industry—recently wrapped up its largest show to date at the Las Vegas Convention Center after welcoming baking industry professionals from around the world on September 7-11, 2019. With nearly 1,000 exhibitors—237 new to IBIE—and the largest show floor in its 100-year history, IBIE continues to break records reflecting the growth and health of the industry. More than 20,000 baking industry professionals walked the exhibit hall—with baker participation increasing nearly 10 percent over the previous expo in 2016. IBIE’s new all-in-one exhibitor booth pricing also encouraged exhibitors to bring more equipment and machinery than before—totaling nearly 600,000 pounds of additional freight—a huge benefit for bakers to experience multitudes of product and equipment on the show floor.
Much of the growth has come from international markets with attendees hailing from more than 100 countries and making up nearly 30 percent of the total attendance, with the largest participation from Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Japan and Mexico.
“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,” said 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.”
A host of new interactive and returning features created an even more engaging experience for attendees and exhibitors; highlights included:
- 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.
The Retail Bakers of America’s 18th Annual Pillsbury Baker’s Plus Grand Champion Creative Decorating Competition recognized the following winners:
Overall Winners – Sponsored by Pillsbury
1st Place – Andres Enciso & Banny Ayarza, Awesome Edible Art
2nd Place – Robbyn Yuen & Ashley Spitzer, Creative Cakes Bakery
3rd Place – Robyn Hanisch & Wanda Munoz-Jovet, Hanisch Bakery and Coffee Shop
Fondant Category – Sponsored by Satin Ice
1st Place – Andres Enciso & Banny Ayarza, Awesome Edible Art
2nd Place – Elizabeth Balderaz & Angela Negron, Faux Cakes and Rentals
3rd Place – Jen Barney & Jessica Miller, Meringue Bakery
Sculpted Category – Sponsored by American Cake Decorating Magazine
1st Place – Robbyn Yuen & Ashley Spitzer, Creative Cakes Bakery
2nd Place – Andres Enciso & Banny Ayarza, Awesome Edible Art
3rd Place – Justine Martin & Josee Frappier, Guilty Pleasures Bakeshop + Bar
Buttercream Category – Sponsored by Qualisoy
1st Place – Robbyn Yuen & Ashley Spitzer, Creative Cakes Bakery
2nd Place – Robyn Hanisch & Wanda Munoz-Jovet, Hanisch Bakery and Coffee Shop
3rd Place – Jen Barney & Jessica Miller, Meringue Bakery
Wedding Category – Sponsored by CakeDeco
1st Place – Andres Enciso & Banny Ayarza, Awesome Edible Art
2nd Place – Robbyn Yuen & Ashley Spitzer, Creative Cakes Bakery
3rd Place – Robyn Hanisch & Wanda Munoz-Jovet, Hanisch Bakery and Coffee Shop
A gallery of photos from IBIE 2019 is available for download here: https://www.ibie2019.com/photo-gallery/.
IBIE will return to Las Vegas on September 17-21, 2022. Visit www.IBIE2019.com to sign up for updates.
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About IBIE:
IBIE, sponsored by the American Bakers Association (ABA), the Baking Equipment Manufacturers and Allieds (BEMA) and the Retail Bakers of America (RBA), is recognized worldwide as the grain-based food industry’s largest, most comprehensive trade event in the Western Hemisphere. A “working show,” where millions of dollars of business are conducted daily, IBIE brings the entire professional baking community together, offering the complete range of equipment, supply and ingredient solutions and showcasing the newest baking technology in 1,000,000 gross square feet. The triennial event will next be held in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 17-21, 2022, with a full day of education on September 17.
