Baking & Snack - March 2019 - 91

SPECIAL REPORT
Meeting Preview: TIA

MILESTONE

CELEBRATION

TIA poised to celebrate its 30-year history at a shining new location.
by Nico Roesler

The Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) will celebrate 30
years at its annual convention to be held May 10-11 at
the Mandalay Bay Resort Casino in Las Vegas.
TIA alternates locations year-to-year, and Jim
Kabbani, CEO, is excited to welcome people to one of
the best venues to date, and one TIA has never visited
before. Previous conventions have been held at the JW
Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Springs,
CA; the Paris Las Vegas; and at Harrah's Resort Southern
California in San Diego.
"We have noted that whenever TIA locates its convention at a new venue, there is a jump in attendance. Our
members enjoy trying new things and visiting new places," he said. "The Mandalay Bay is a legendary property
known for its beauty and elegance as well as an abundance
and variety of activities restaurants and other fun options.
Many of our members have suggested we try to contract
with them for a convention, and for 2019, conditions were
ripe for us to reach an agreement with this hotel."
Beyond the setting, this year's show is also loaded with
new educational content and networking opportunities.
Because of the event's size, averaging about 500 to 600
attendees in the past, Mr. Kabbani said the convention
provides people the chance to make valuable connections in ways larger shows don't. The list of attendees includes business owners and senior managers involved in
all types of tortilla production from traditional tortillas
and flatbreads to wraps and chips. TIA members have
ample opportunities to network over the two-day convention, starting with the TIA golf tournament through

the opening reception, the annual awards banquet and
the exhibit hall itself.
This year's educational curriculum is based on survey feedback from TIA members who provided insight
into what is driving the industry. Mr. Kabbani said the
speaker lineup and educational sessions are designed to
reflect the member needs and provide useful information to attendees. Members identified several key trends
including evolving market tastes, regulations, and products and services. "Attending the TIA Convention gives
participants the chance to get up to date on all three,"
Mr. Kabbani said.
Advance registration is open through April 10, and
room rates at Mandalay Bay are $150 per night for attendees. Registration for the convention is $399 for
TIA members before April 10, when it jumps to $475.
Mr. Kabbani encourages members and non-members to
register early.
"Besides a fun exciting new venue at Mandalay Bay,
the opportunity to see all the latest products under one
roof and learn about the latest educational topics, this
year's show being a milestone anniversary will bring
many old friends out to celebrate and is sure to have the
best networking of any TIA show in many years," he said.
To celebrate 30 years, Mr. Kabbani said TIA will commemorate the legacy of achievement by its members. This
focus on member experience and value is what will take
TIA forward into another decade of service to the industry. For more information on registration, educational
sessions and speakers, visit www.tortilla-info.com.

For the first time, TIA
Convention will be held
at Mandalay Bay Resort
Casino in Las Vegas.
Shutterstock.com

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