Baking&Snack - February 2014 - 119

B&CMA Heads
to Nashville

89th Annual Technical Conference big on education, discussion of hot topics.

by Ryan Atkinson

One of the industry's largest technical conferences is
gearing up for another round.
The 89th Annual Biscuit & Cracker Manufacturer's
Association (B&CMA) Technical Conference is slated
for April 27-30 in Nashville, TN.
As in the past, this year's meeting will provide a combination of education, discussion and networking events.
"It really is a good mix," said Kerry Kurowski, education and meetings manager for B&CMA. "There are
plenty of networking opportunities, but the educational
opportunities are a big focal point. They are traditionally
the highlight."
The conference kicks off on April 27, with the annual
golf outing and tour of Nashville precede registration.
Things get underway in earnest on Monday with the
general session, including the State of the Industry address by David Van Laar, vice-chairman of Oak State
Products, Wenona, IL.
"We're excited about the State of the Industry address,
Ms. Kurowski said.
Monday afternoon welcomes the breakout sessions,
which include talks on Computerized Maintenance
Management Systems, Cracker Packaging Technology,
The Importance of Preventative Maintenance and
Process Control and more.
A hot-button breakout session is likely to be E. Pearce
Smith's talk on GMO Testing and Complex Supply
Chains. The GMO issue could be a burning topic during
the entire meeting.
"We're known for coming out of the gate early and
talking about things before a lot of the industry," Ms.
Kurowski said. "We've seen that in the past with trans fat
and allergens, and I think you'll see that with GMOs this
year. When you look at our sessions, we work on core

topics that are constantly being updated."
Breakout sessions continue into late afternoon April
28 and in the morning April 29 before giving way to
the Allied Table Top Exhibit and Luncheon. It's the
only table top exhibit designed specifically for the
cookie and cracker industry. The two-hour event features allied supplier members displaying their latest
products and services.
"This is high, high repeat attendance," Ms. Kurowski
said. "It's a great chance to see new products, and it's a
good time for a little bit of networking as well."
April 29 wraps up with an Ask the Expert Production
Panel and a Women in the Industry reception. The Ask
the Expert panel, Ms. Kurowski said, will likely cover
more of this year's hot topics. "That panel is always a key
part of the conference," she said. "Attendees can pick the
brains of industry veterans with more than 60 years of
combined experience."
Things wrap up on April 30 with a continuation of the
general session in the morning.
The conference, Ms. Kurowski said, is well-attended
by people throughout the industry, and what attendees
take away likely depends on where they're coming from.
Mr. van Laar recalled feeling envy toward those who
got to attend the conference when he got his start in the
industry. Now, as a keynote speaker, his admiration for
the event hasn't weakened.
"No other technical conference addresses the cookie
and cracker industry so directly," he said. "This is a
meeting of bakers, about baking, led by bakers. From
planning to execution, it is the cookie and cracker community that runs this show. From suppliers to bakers,
we are focused on one goal, educating the bakers of today and tomorrow."

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