How first-timers can find success at IBIE 2025

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How first-timers can find success at IBIE 2025

3 Apr 2025

Annie Hollon

Annie Hollon is a journalist, copywriter and social media strategist from the Dallas, Texas area. She found a love for magazine writing during her time at the University of Alabama where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, double majoring in public relations and English. Beyond writing, you can find her expanding her library, attempting to teach herself the guitar and trying new hobbies.

WASHINGTON, DC — For first-timers, the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE), powered by the American Bakers Association (ABA) and BEMA with support from the Retail Bakers Association, can be a daunting event. With more than 20,000 baking industry professionals in attendance and approximately 1,000 exhibitors filling two exhibit halls in the Las Vegas Convention Center, there are plenty of opportunities for bakers to engage over a few days.

In a recent episode of the Bake to the Future podcast, Samantha Moore, senior director of events and programming at ABA, and Jorge Zarate, chair of IBIE 2025 and Grupo Bimbo’s chief supply chain officer and chief sustainability officer, offered some insights for people navigating the show for the first time.

Take advantage of the IBIE app

As a first step, Moore recommended downloading the show app.

“Take some time the week or so before [the show] to look at it and get comfortable with it,” she said. “That way, you know what you’re going into before you get there.”

Through the app, people can set up interviews ahead of the show, which helps structure their days.

“That could be meetings not just with exhibitors but also with attendees who are already registered,” Zarate said.

The app also contains the full IBIEducate lineup so guests can determine their must-see sessions in advance.

“It needs planning because it’s a huge program, and it’s impossible for one person to take it all,” Zarate said. “You have to share that with your teams and try and cover as much as possible or what your industry needs.”

“As a first-timer, it probably is going to be a smidge overwhelming, but once you have a couple donuts and a couple slices of bread from some of the exhibitors, I think you’ll probably be fine, and you’ll have a great time.” — Samantha Moore | senior director of events and programming | American Bakers Association

Engage in networking opportunities

Networking is a major component of IBIE.

“It’s the right place to network, to know the right people,” Zarate said. “Look for the ones that you want to talk to, to meet and look for them. This is a very friendly industry, and I’m sure that anybody that you are looking for is going to be willing to talk to you.”

Popular events such as Rockin’ Pint Night offer more casual ways to connect.

“As a first-timer, it probably is going to be a smidge overwhelming,” Moore said, “but once you have a couple donuts and a couple slices of bread from some of the exhibitors, I think you’ll probably be fine, and you’ll have a great time.”

IBIE 2025 is set for Sept. 14-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, with a dedicated day of education on Sept. 13.

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