Facilitating connections: ABA, BEMA prepare for IBIE

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Facilitating connections: ABA, BEMA prepare for IBIE

28 Aug 2025

Joanie Spencer

Since 2008, Joanie Spencer has covered the retail and wholesale sides of the baking industry.
Serving associations such as the American Society of Baking (ASB) and BEMA, Joanie is also in demand as an industry presenter on bakery operations and trends. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communication from Rockhurst University and a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri.

When she’s not running or playing soccer, Joanie spends her time with her husband and 11-year-old son.

KANSAS CITY, MO — The Baking Expo will help deepen career opportunities through IBIEducate — the industry’s largest and most robust education program — with more than 250 learning opportunities ranging from business topics to hands-on classes, and nearly everything in between.

“When people look at what teams they’ll bring to the show, it’s important to consider that this concentrated five days also includes education,” said Kerwin Brown, president and CEO of BEMA. “It’s more than an expo and exploring innovation, it’s an investment in your employees and their development when they participate in education sessions, too. IBIEducate is specifically designed to serve and upskill the workforce.”

With the majority of IBIEducate (aside from hands-on workshops) now part of show registration, education and training are not only more accessible for individuals; they’re also an easy way for companies to invest in their workforce.

“One thing we’ve learned is that you have a better chance to retain employees if you’re willing to invest in them,” said Eric Dell, president and CEO of the American Bakers Association (ABA). “The more team members companies can bring to IBIE, the more they’ll learn and take back to their jobs … and the more they’ll get out of the work they do. By making that investment in your employees, it shows that you care about furthering their education and helping them build a career.”

Creating opportunities

In an IBIE year, it’s important to focus on more than just the Expo itself. In March and June, respectively, ABA and BEMA hosted their conventions, both of which focused on facilitating conversations around the current issues bakers are facing. Relative to IBIE, these events aren’t either-or propositions. They promoted what’s in store for IBIE, of course, but they also created opportunities for bakers and suppliers to have meaningful conversations in relatively casual settings before getting down to business on the Expo floor.

These kinds of interactions can broaden mindsets, uncovering what both sides should be thinking about prior to IBIE. Bakers have a chance to get to know suppliers — whether it’s about their product offerings or on a more personal level — before even scheduling a booth meeting. Conventions create opportunities for brand-new connections that could otherwise have been missed at the tradeshow. Conversely, suppliers who attend conventions gain a firsthand understanding of the specific issues that keep their customers up at night.

“It’s more than an expo and exploring innovation, it’s an investment in your employees and their development when they participate in education sessions, too. IBIEducate is specifically designed to serve and upskill the workforce.” — Kerwin Brown | president and CEO | BEMA

In other words, conventions are the precursor to baking’s biggest show.

“There aren’t many opportunities for the global baking industry and its suppliers to be together before IBIE,” Brown said. “At our association conventions, we’re talking and engaging with one another on a different level.”

This is perhaps commercial baking’s defining trait: the ability to come together and collaborate, whether in good times or challenging ones.

For the greater good

While Dell and Brown represent IBIE ownership, it’s important to note they also represent something much bigger: ABA and BEMA members. That’s their focus every day because, as a non-profit show, all IBIE profits are fed back into the industry.

“The most important part of my job is ensuring the value ABA brings to our members,” Dell said. “Because the value in our membership is what helps us grow, and that, in turn, helps us support IBIE and the industry.”

Brown shared that sentiment, noting there’s never a good time for complacency.

“We have to consistently focus on bringing value to our members and IBIE attendees and exhibitors,” he said. “I don’t see bakers or suppliers slowing down anytime soon, so BEMA is focused on keeping what we offer members relevant and delivered efficiently. It’s all about being able to adapt.”

With change happening faster than at any other time in history, bakers are forced to think further ahead than they’ve ever had to. It’s not just because of the business implications. Market volatility is also impacting consumers directly, and the industry has to be ready. Those who aren’t thinking ahead will inevitably be left behind.

“We’ve got to stay out in front of consumers,” Dell said. “Our members need to make sure they’re planning for what’s coming next. We’ve got to be prepared for the future.”

Addressing daily challenges like workforce and inflation, while also coping with big issues around legislation and proposed tariffs, the industry seems to be fighting a 10-headed monster. But there’s good news: Everyone’s in this together.

That’s reflected in association growth, whether in member numbers or attendance for conventions and IBIE. Bakers and suppliers are willing to invest not only because of their own resiliency but also their faith in the industry’s strength.

“In times like these, there are two solutions,” Brown said. “You can figure it out on your own, or you can say, ‘I’m going to take part in an industry that’s working on these things, and we can figure it out together.’ I personally think the latter is the better approach. When the world gets crazy, it’s good to have resources to help anchor you. That’s how solutions happen.”

This story has been adapted from the Avant Food Media’s 2025 IBIE Show Issue. Read the full story in the digital edition here.

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