IBIE celebrates largest show in its history

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IBIE celebrates largest show in its history

24 Sep 2025

Maddie Lambert

Maddie Lambert is a copywriter and editor from Joplin, MO. She graduated from Missouri Southern State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English – literary studies. When she’s not poring over the magazine or lost in the pages of a new novel, you can find Maddie exploring her local bookstores, spending time with her husband, or sharing her latest literary discoveries with fellow book enthusiasts.

WASHINGTON, DC — The International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) returned to Las Vegas Sept. 13-17, uniting thousands of baking professionals, suppliers and artisan experts.

IBIE 2025 featured more than 1,000 exhibiting companies from across the globe, showcasing the latest innovations in technology, ingredients, equipment and packaging solutions. The sold-out show floor reached a record 451,100 square feet, the largest in IBIE’s 105-year history and a 9% increase over the previous edition.

The show also hosted its largest education program, with more than 250 IBIEducate sessions and demos. Tracks ranged from AI and automation to product formulation and scaling SMBs.

IBIE by the numbers

Attendance for Gen Z and millennials was up 8% and 43%, respectively, reinforcing the show’s position as a workforce development resource for the baking industry and a key driver in closing the skills gap. Baker attendance decreased 8% compared to 2022; however, the number of baking companies represented rose 5% compared to pre-pandemic levels.

Overall registration was down just 4%, despite global economic and travel headwinds. Attendees were vetted, and 91% were identified as purchasing decision-makers. With 96 countries represented — including 27 official delegations — 28% of buyers were international, with 74% hailing from the Americas, led by Mexico, Canada, Brazil, Guatemala, Colombia, and Peru.

“While baker attendance at IBIE was slightly lower — largely reflecting today’s economic pressures and complexities in international travel — we saw strong performance in the number of baking companies participating.” — Jorge Zarate | committee chair | IBIE 2025

“While baker attendance at IBIE was slightly lower — largely reflecting today’s economic pressures and complexities in international travel — we saw strong performance in the number of baking companies participating, many of which chose to send leaner teams to manage costs,” said Jorge Zarate, IBIE chair and global senior VP of operations and engineering at Grupo Bimbo. “Even so, the energy on the show floor and the level of engagement were remarkable, underscoring that IBIE remains an essential event driving progress and continuity for our industry.”

Show competitions and highlights

IBIE hosted the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie — Americas Selection for the first time, welcoming international baking teams in bakery, viennoiserie and artistic bread showpiece competitions. The Panettone World Cup also debuted at IBIE 2025, inviting top pastry chefs from across the Western Hemisphere in a festive contest celebrating the art and heritage of the Italian sweet bread.

The World Bread Awards USA returned to the Baking Expo, with 12 categories showcasing a spectrum of bread styles from sourdough to bagels.

The 20th edition of the Pillsbury Creative Cake Decorating Competition included six teams competing across four categories: wedding cake, rolled fondant, sculpted cake, and buttercream.

“The show floor was buzzing with innovation, meaningful connections and a true spirit of collaboration — proof that when our industry comes together, we move forward with greater energy and vision,” said Allen Wright, IBIE 2025 vice-chair and president of Hansaloy. “IBIE’s success this year is a testament to the dedication and passion at the heart of the global baking community.”

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