Baking&Snack - March 2017 - 131

SPECIAL REPORT
Meeting Preview: TIA

TRIUMPHANT
RETURN
T

The Tortilla Industry Association
returns to Las Vegas, one of its
most popular locations.

by Charlotte Atchley

The Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) expects a buzzworthy return to Las Vegas this year for its Annual
Convention May 1-2 at the Paris Las Vegas. Even though
the convention was located in Southern California last
year, Jim Kabbani, CEO, referred to Las Vegas as the convention's home base.
"Most of the years we've had our convention, we've
had it in Las Vegas," Mr. Kabbani said. "It's a very popular
location for our members." In 2015, the convention saw
great success being located in the Paris Las Vegas, and the
association hopes to generate excitement by returning to
one of its most popular locations.
Paris Las Vegas also brings along the added perk of
being physically connected to Bally's. TIA has reserved a
block of rooms at both hotels, offering members two price
points for rooms.
Tortilla producers attending the show can start their
mornings off right by attending educational sessions both
Monday and Tuesday. Topics will reflect the latest trends
and challenges facing the tortilla industry. Members of
the association can attend sessions on commodities, preventing food contamination and best practices for glutenfree, among others.
Along with a wealth of educational sessions, attendees
can make connections at the exhibit hall every afternoon
of the show. Paris Las Vegas boasts a large hall that TIA
has filled with the leading vendors in the industry.
"Attendees can expect a 30,000-sq-ft exhibit hall with

vendors displaying the latest in machinery, ingredients
and services to help them run their businesses more successfully," Mr. Kabbani said. There, leaders in the tortilla
industry can meet with suppliers to find the best solutions for their latest products and needs to keep up in
this fast-growing industry.
In 2015, the tortilla industry sales hit around $14
billion. Mr. Kabbani attributed this growth to not
only the rise in the Hispanic population but also
the shift toward better-for-you meal options such as
wraps that use tortillas. With so much interest in tortillas, producers will benefit from education sessions
and an exhibit hall geared to helping them succeed in
this fast-paced market.
Conventions aren't all work and no play, however,
especially in Las Vegas. On April 30, attendees can participate in the TIA Annual Golf Tournament. Tee-off is
at 11:30 a.m., and transportation is provided. Then, TIA
welcomes attendees and exhibitors to the tradeshow
with a poolside welcome reception that evening at 6 p.m.
On May 1, TIA will host a reception before its Awards
& Entertainment Banquet at 7 p.m., which will be sponsored by Minsa Corp.
With two days packed full of education, networking and exhibits, leaders in the tortilla industry
will leave Las Vegas equipped to take advantage of
industry growth. For more information and to register,
visit www.tortilla-info.com.

The tortilla industry meets
for its annual conference
in Las Vegas this May.
Adobestock

www.bakingandsnack.com / March 2017 Baking & Snack 131

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