DUSSELDORF, GERMANY — The iba trade fair opened with enthusiasm and optimism for the show and industry, touting 985 exhibitors from nearly 50 countries and roughly one million square feet of space.
Facing COVID-related challenges for its past two show cycles, iba, which typically takes place in the fall, moved its event this year to Dusseldorf from its usual location of Munich. However, show organizers worked tirelessly to bring the same level of content and exhibition that iba is known for.
“Our opening data is showing that we’ve done very well,” said Susann Seidemann, director of iba. “We are looking forward to lectures, exhibitions and other programming, and we have a wonderful start.”
This is also the first year the global triennial show will take place in the same year as IBIE, the Western Hemisphere’s largest bakery tradeshow. Attendees at iba will discover many common global themes that will resonate in their IBIE experience, including sustainability, workforce and global consumer trends.
“It’s an exciting year for the industry,” Seidemann said, “with iba at the beginning and IBIE as the highlight at the end. Our shows combine a lot of trends, such as sustainability, which is a topic that’s important around the world. It’s a topic that the industry can learn about here and take it on to IBIE.”
The iba trade fair runs through May 22.
