A track-by-track look at IBIEducate 2025

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A track-by-track look at IBIEducate 2025

15 Aug 2025

Mari Rydings

Mari Rydings is a versatile content creator, editor and marketer with experience developing dynamic, results-driven materials for B2B and B2C audiences. As the editorial director for Avant Food Media, she leads the day-to-day editorial operations for the company’s print and digital magazines, newsletters and social media platforms. Outside of work, she loves reading, hiking, putting together jigsaw puzzles and spending time with her husband and their twin daughters.

KANSAS CITY, MO — A hallmark of a must-attend tradeshow is the caliber of its educational programming. A well-crafted lineup serves up opportunities for industry newcomers and seasoned experts to increase their knowledge, engage in professional development and network with peers from around the world.

With more than 250 educational sessions, workshops and demos, the Baking Expo’s IBIEducate program — the world’s largest industry education event — spans every function, including business and strategy, workforce and professional growth, technology, food science and product development, quality and sustainability, marketing and so much more. Every presentation is geared toward addressing the issues that keep commercial and artisan bakers up at night, and every presenter is a passionate subject matter expert eager to pass along practical skills, insights
and knowledge.

The comprehensive program caters to every industry segment: retail, foodservice, snack food, wholesale, contract manufacturing, cake and pastry, artisan, tortilla, and pizza. New this year: Most of the sessions and show floor demos are included with registration (hands-on workshops require an additional fee).

IBIEducate runs the duration of the show, with a full day dedicated to professional development before the exhibit floor opens. Attendees can preplan their educational agenda by using IBIE’s new web-based tool at www.bakingexpo.com/education, which allows searches by speaker, topic, session or workshop, track, type or format, and audience.

IBIEducate’s 12 tracks

Baking Techniques and Innovations. Sustainable baking, healthy snacking with ancient grains, baking with honey, and advanced lamination techniques for viennoiserie are just a few of the presentations in this track. Others dive into plant-based innovation, gluten-free baking, the art and science of prehydration for artisan bread, and the basics of creamed batters.

Business Management and Strategy. Attendees interested in sharpening their competitive edge will find several sessions in this track. Topics include the ins and outs of cottage law, cybersecurity, price risk management, and how to align decision making with core values.

Cake/Cookie Decorating and Pastry. From how to make cupcake bouquets, to decorating with buttercream, to creating ocean-themed fish netting and edible sand, this track is for cake, cookie and pastry beginners and pros seeking innovative ideas. Technical workshops in this track will focus on the mechanics of creating complex cakes and basic string work. Some of these may be subject to an additional fee, so read the listings closely.

Food Safety and Quality Assurance. Bakers and suppliers will want to make time for a few of these sessions. Hand hygiene, food safety and traceability, and the role digital technologies such as the Internet of Things, AI and co-bots play in keeping the food supply safe are just a few of the topics in this track.

Industry Trends and Advancements. From lectures on how AI and Industry 4.0 are transforming the baking industry, to the benefits of advanced automation, to the latest plant-based innovations, flavor trends, packaging solutions and better-for-you foods, there are plenty of options to choose.

Operations and Efficiency. This track is geared toward people who work in operations and procurement. Sessions include ideas for automating administration tasks, strategies for qualifying and benchmarking external manufacturing partners, finding the right automated batching and weighing system, and factors to consider when implementing robotic solutions.

Presentado en Español. IBIE’s ongoing commitment to developing the industry’s global workforce is evident in a new dedicated track of sessions presented in Spanish. These 10 classes will explore cake decorating, the evolution of baking in Mexico, innovation and tradition in artisanal baking, and more.

Product Development | Formulation and Customization. This track was developed for R&D teams looking for fresh approaches. Presentations include how to simplify an ingredient strategy, flavor innovation, solutions for sodium and sugar reduction, and formulating better-for-you products.

Professional Development. Attendees from every corner of the industry will find something useful in this popular track. Leaders can find practical methods for improving communication and developing a cohesive team, and executives can gain insight into building a high-performing leadership team. Lastly, bakers can explore what’s involved in professional development such as becoming a Certified Master Baker.

Sales and Marketing Strategies. Several presenters in this track will focus on AI and its use in marketing, while others will offer ideas on developing non-baking revenue streams, brand building and e-commerce strategies. Brands looking for new ways to engage consumers may be interested in presentations on the benefits of 2D bar codes and generational marketing strategies.

Sustainability and Environmental Practices. Regenerative agriculture, upcycled foods, energy consumption monitoring and implementing meaningful, cost-effective sustainability initiatives are just a few of the lectures slated for this track. Presenters will also delve into why sustainability is important to today’s food industry and the sustainability and energy conservation benefits of enzymatic solutions.

Workforce Development. Labor challenges persist in every industry. This track explores strategies for attracting and retaining quality employees with presentations on topics such as creating a thriving culture, staying relevant in a changing workforce, mentorship programs, fatigue risk management, second chance hiring, and ways to connect future talent with today’s industry leaders.

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

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