IBIE 2025 vice chair Allen Wright looks ahead

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IBIE 2025 vice chair Allen Wright looks ahead

23 Jul 2025

Lily Cota

Lily Cota is a writer, editor and photographer from Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated from Missouri State University with a Bachelor of Science in English and a minor in Photography. When she’s not writing, you can find her reading fantasy novels, thrifting, trying out local coffee shops and spending time with her nieces.

COCO BEACH, PUERTO RICO — Industry members gained a plethora of insights and connected with old and new friends in Coco Beach, Puerto Rico, during the 2025 BEMA Convention. Among those insights were observations from Allen Wright, IBIE 2025 vice chair and president of Hansaloy, on the state of the Baking Expo as the industry speeds toward the event, set for Sept. 14-17.

Baker registration is up 12% since 2022 with less than two months to go before the show, indicating increased excitement among retail and wholesale bakers.

Wright noted highlights of the upcoming tradeshow, including the features of IBIEducate, the largest baking event education program, which boasts more than 250 sessions, hands-on workshops and show floor demos.

“There is content to serve every segment of the grain-based industry,” Wright said. “It’s designed for all job functions and experience levels, from management to HR, marketing and sales. It’s a great place for you to upskill, reskill, invest in your team, invest in their talent and support their growth. Take advantage of it.”

“Every dollar that [IBIE] generates — $24 million to date — is reinvested back into the industry, in scholarships, safety, workforce development and more.” — Allen Wright | IBIE 2025 vice chair and president of Hansaloy

IBIEducate is now included in registration, with even more centralized content to boot.

“With more stages in the Expo, attendees can conveniently learn while on the go without ever having to leave the show floor,” Wright said. “Not only is it more convenient, but these impromptu and casual learning opportunities are very popular with attendees.”

Among the education resources lie a range of competitive opportunities for bakers across the globe to show their skills. These include the Creative Cake Decorating Competition, powered by Pillsbury, the World Bread Awards, and the new-to-IBIE Panettone World Cup and Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie.

Throughout the show floor, the Baking Expo will provide a multitude of advertising options for industry suppliers, including large digital displays in the North and West Halls.

“There are hundreds of sponsorship and advertising options available to help your brand stand out,” Wright said. “There are a wide range of options, both print and digital.”

Lastly, but certainly not least, Wright acknowledged the intentional “why” behind the show.

“The collective success of IBIE is the success of the baking industry,” Wright said. “IBIE is a nonprofit. Every dollar that it generates — $24 million to date — is reinvested back into the industry, in scholarships, safety, workforce development and more. So do your part, and let’s make it count.”

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