New industry event launches team-to-team concept

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New industry event launches team-to-team concept

27 Jun 2023

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.

BLUFFTON, SC — With innovation at the heart of the commercial baking industry, a new event is poised to be a centrifuge for innovation, education and next-level networking.

NEXUS, powered by BEMA and the American Bakers Association (ABA), released new details on the event, set for Sept. 25-28 at the Omni Hotel in Dallas. Details include information on Spark Sessions, a new team-to-team concept designed for baker-supplier collaboration.

During pre-scheduled 45-minute Spark Sessions, teams from one baking company and one supplier company will have the opportunity to ideate around current or potential projects or topics of their choice. Registered teams will fill out confidential questionnaires that will be used for strategic matching based on projects that need attention now or in the future, as well as brainstorming ideas.

While NEXUS attendees can register individually, Spark Sessions are purchased separately and require registration as a company. Each session costs $2,500, and supplier companies may purchase up to two sessions.

“Registration for the NEXUS event is for an individual, and Spark Sessions are by company,” said Emily Bowers, BEMA’s VP of operations and education during a business breakout session at the BEMA annual convention last week. “If, for instance, someone is bringing five people from their company for a Spark Session, that only requires one Spark Session profile.”

Once Spark Session matches are set, teams will be notified about a month in advance to allow both sides time to prepare for the session.

“We are building the education program together with our partners at ABA. And we are also continuing our relationship with Arizona State University, which facilitated our Workforce Wednesday content during BEMA Convention this year.” — Emily Bowers | VP of education and operations | BEMA

Programming at NEXUS includes ABA’s NextGen Baker Leadership Forum, an annual event focused on professional development, public policy engagement, relationship building and education around industry trends. This is available to attendees for an additional fee. Companies who purchase Spark Sessions will not be scheduled during NextGen Baker Forum if they’re also signed up for that program.

In addition to NextGenBaker Leadership Forum, NEXUS will also feature two education tracks: industry intelligence and operations and innovation. Sessions will be repeated to allow attendees access to as many presentations as possible while also participating in Spark Sessions. Topics and speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

“We are building the education program together with our partners at ABA,” Bowers said. “And we are also continuing our relationship with Arizona State University, which facilitated our Workforce Wednesday content during BEMA Convention this year.”

Registration is open on the NEXUS website, and current attendees can modify their registration, including purchasing Spark Sessions and signing up for NextGen Baker Leadership Forum and the ATBI Top Golf event, on the registration page of the website. A current list of attendees will be available on the registration page and updated weekly.

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