Baking & Snack - February 2015 - 121

SPECIAL REPORT
Meeting Preview: ABA

That's

Powerful Stuff
ABA's annual convention packs a punch
with a program that aims to define the
strength of the baking industry.
by Dan Malovany

N

Nelson Mandela once said, "Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world."
That's one critical lesson that the American Bakers
Association (ABA) plans to reinforce at its annual convention to be held March 29-April 1 at The Ritz Grande
Lakes in Orlando, FL. In fact, the theme for this year's
gathering - and a message that ABA plans to hammer home throughout all of 2015 - is about leveraging the "Power of Baking." To elaborate on this theme,
the association is promoting a series of "power facts" on
www.americanbakers.org that demonstrate how important the baking industry is to the retail market and the
economy as a whole.
"Driven by economic, consumer and nutrition research, this year's convention will focus on educating
bakers on the value of their products, our strength as an
industry and what it will take to keep baked goods the
No. 1 retail driver and a leading growth category," noted
Robb MacKie, ABA's president and CEO.
"I encourage anyone in the baking industry to attend this convention where ABA will be unveiling critical research about the impact of baking in the retail
marketplace and supporting data that proves baking is
one of America's most powerful industries," he added.
"With our strong speaker program that will focus on the
'Power of Leadership,' attendees will also leave with takeaways on what it will take going forward to keep baked
goods a leading growth category."

This year's speakers include Liz
Claman, the Emmy Award-winning
journalist and anchor of Fox Business
Countdown to the Closing Bell and
After the Bell. In her presentation,
"The New Economy: How and When
Will America Soar Again?" she will offer her
thoughts on the current economic environment at
a macro level and incorporate stories of her experience
with some of the country's leading business executives.
In a presentation entitled "The Power of Bakery
Categories," Todd Hale, principal at Todd Hale LLC and
former senior vice-president, consumer and shopper insights, Nielsen, will provide ABA-exclusive research on
the strength that makes the baked goods category the
leading retailer driver in the marketplace.
On an inspirational note, Dr. Ben Carson, former
director of pediatric neurosurgery at an internationally renowned medical center, will tackle "The Power of
Leadership" by revealing a philosophy that has helped
him overcome life's obstacles. He will demonstrate that
maintaining discipline and exhibiting good character
are at the core of achieving success at every level.
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will
explore "Politics in Washington - What's Ahead for
America?" Specifically, he will provide a candid look at
the political scene in America and around the world and
provide an insider's view into the major headlines of the
day as well as the upcoming 2016 presidential election.
In addition to the business sessions and meetings,
the ABA convention will offer a number of social and
networking receptions as well as the Paul Abenante PAC
Golf Tournament and a tennis tournament.
For more on the program and information on hotel
and meeting registration, go to www.americanbakers.
org/2015ABAConvention.

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