Baking & Snack - June 2022 - 16

MEET THE IBIE TEAM
Meet
Kerwin brown
The BEMA leader sees opportunities for connections,
brainstorming and dreaming of what's next at IBIE 2022.
by Alex Greenwood
the baking industry for 33 years, and 2022
marks his 10th International Baking Industry
Exposition (IBIE). IBIE is owned by BEMA and
the American Bakers Association (ABA).
K
What new networking opportunities will be
available at IBIE 2022?
IBIE offers so many networking opportunities and is the
ideal place for bringing like-minded people together. This
happens through attending educational sessions, taking
in a presentation on the exhibitor stage, meeting people
with similar business interests in one of the specialty pavilions,
or if you are looking for something more low-key,
many booths will have afternoon happy hours.
The Retail Bakers Center and Artisan Marketplace
are two show features that really stand out as a place to
make connections. Even if you are not interested in new
bread, pastry or cake decorating techniques, it is hard to
resist the incredible smells wafting throughout the Expo
Hall. These demo theatre and café settings are excellent
locations to meet contacts, and if there is a donut or
fresh-baked bread waiting there, it's even better!
What is your favorite part about IBIE? How has
this part of the show been enhanced for 2022?
This will be my 10th IBIE, and this show keeps getting
better. A decade ago, education and demonstrations
only played a minor role in IBIE. Now those elements
are a major draw, and the variety is exceptional. IBIE
provides the largest educational program of any bakery
trade show worldwide. No other international show has
made such a conscious investment in education. This
year, attendees can choose from more than 100 classes
in nine well-defined categories. They can attend classes,
interact with bakers and suppliers, and see the entire industry
in one place.
16 Baking & Snack June 2022 / www.bakingbusiness.com
Kerwin Brown is president and chief executive
officer of BEMA. He has worked in
There is also the Student Immersion program
that offers college students the opportunity to learn
more about the many careers in the industry. During
IBIE, they will tour the show floor with mentors, network
with industry professionals and have access to
IBIEducate sessions.
What new features should people check out
at this year's event?
One of the most exciting new features will be the
Cannabis Central Pavilion. This is a booming market
- edibles could have a 15% share by 2025 - and
there are a lot of questions about its use in the production
of baked goods. Attendees will find more than just
a focused set of exhibitors in this pavilion; it also offers
relevant education sessions and Q&A with thought leaders
in the field. It's the perfect place to get your questions
answered and explore opportunities in the space.
The Innovation Showcase, while not new, is a 2.0 version
with a significant modern design in a new location
in the skywalk, between the North and West Halls. Best
described as a lounge, this area will feature around 70
new products, have music, a place to sit and relax and
regroup, and some food choices.
How do you anticipate the current industry
challenges will impact people's goals for IBIE?
Trade shows have long been a place where people come
looking for solutions. With so few expos taking place
in-person over the past couple of years, I think most
attendees will arrive at IBIE 2022 with a focused list of
challenges to solve. One that is impacting every baker
is labor. Because of the inability to find labor and the
increased costs in doing so, the fundamental return on
investment calculations have changed. When there's not
enough labor to run a line, the payback does not matter
as much. Labor issues are forcing many bakers to look
differently at automation solutions.
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Baking & Snack - June 2022

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