American Bakers Association Announces 2026 Convention Keynote Lineup
October 27, 2025 | 3 min to read
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is proud to announce an exceptional lineup of keynote speakers for the 2026 ABA Annual Convention, scheduled for April 19-23 at The Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, CO. This year’s keynote speakers, economist Andy Busch and Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney will empower attendees with new insights, best practices, global strategy, and leadership skills to lead their businesses into the future of commercial baking.
Opening Keynote: Andy Busch – Geopolitics = Economy: Opportunities to Grow
In his session on Monday, April 20, Andy Busch will explore how geopolitics has become the driving force of the global economy. From trade realignments and conflicts to evolving immigration and tariff policies, today’s global landscape is transforming how companies plan for growth and manage risk. Andy will share insights on how emerging technologies—especially Generative AI and Agentic AI—combined with trusted networks, can empower businesses to anticipate change, enhance competitiveness, and seize new opportunities in a complex global market.
ATBI Leadership Session Keynote: Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney – CAVU: Living and Leading with Clear Purpose in Turbulent Times
On Tuesday, April 21 the ATBI Leadership Session, sponsored by Lesaffre Corporation, will feature Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, F-16 fighter pilot, PGA professional, and founder of Folds of Honor. His keynote introduces the aviation concept of CAVU: “Ceiling and Visibility Unlimited” which outlines practical framework for navigating change and uncertainty. He will connect high-performance leadership to service, showing how resilience builds strength and how purpose drives results.
“We are thrilled to welcome Andy Busch and Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney to the 2026 ABA Convention. Each brings a unique perspective on leadership, innovation, and global strategy that will inspire attendees to think differently about the future of baking and continue to increase the value proposition of the event,” said ABA President and CEO Eric Dell.
“ABA delivers programming intentionally curated to equip baker and supplier companies with the tools they need to power long-term success,” said ABA Senior Director, Events and Programming Samantha Moore. “The messages attendees will hear from our keynote speakers align with ABA’s Category Growth and Destination Workplace strategic initiatives, helping the commercial baking industry identify and embrace opportunities for growth while cultivating workplaces that attract, empower, and retain talent.”
For more information on the 2026 ABA Convention, please visit https://www.americanbakers.org/events/2026-aba-convention
About the American Bakers Association
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the largest, most established, and diverse trade association for the commercial baking industry in the United States. ABA’s community includes more than 375 member companies representing over 1,200 commercial baking facilities and the extensive industry supply chain.
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 enhancing its mission by growing the category and promoting the industry as the destination workplace. In 2025, ABA earned the prestigious Great Place To Work® Certification, underscoring its commitment to delivering on the Higher Level Impact strategic objective by fostering a strong internal culture that drives excellence for the commercial baking industry.