Baking & Snack - February 2023 - 109

SPECIAL REPORT
Meeting Preview: ABA Convention
ABA overhauls convention schedule with new events and experiences.
by Michelle Smith
T
The American Bakers Association (ABA) has a message for
all convention veterans out there: Things are going to be
different this year. New events are coming and changes to
familiar programming are planned, including longer networking
breaks, more time for executive roundtables and
business sessions as well as changes to social activities.
" One of the biggest changes is we've moved the schedule
around and we've repurposed things to different days; we've
shortened some and lengthened others, " said Samantha
Moore, senior director, meetings and education for ABA.
" The mornings aren't as early, and the nights aren't as late. It
gives everyone more time to be their best. "
Attendees who are new to the 2023 Convention, which
will be March 26-29 in Amelia Island, Fla., have several opportunities
to make meaningful connections with others in
the industry, starting with the New Attendee and NextGen
Baker Brunch on Sunday.
" This is an opportunity for the new attendees to meet the
ABA board of directors, " said Christina Donnelly, director,
industry relations and strategic initiatives for ABA. " We
have ambassadors for our new attendees to get a chance to
connect with longtime convention participants, ask them
questions, learn more about the ABA Convention and
make a plan to navigate the following days. "
Another new networking opportunity is Dine Around
Dinners on Tuesday night that will pair six attendees
who are new to one another. The ABA staff will put the
group together and make a dinner reservation at a local
restaurant.
" That is our way of creating that smaller, more intimate
environment where you can make those relationships, " Ms.
Moore said. " We're really excited about that. It will get you
off property as well, so you can see a little bit of the area. "
Networking breaks have been expanded, and networking
breakfasts have been added every day.
Social activities are now sprinkled throughout the event
rather than being concentrated in one day. In addition to
the Bakers Give Back event and golf and tennis opportunities,
a cornhole tournament has been added.
More hours of business sessions have been added to the
programming, and Executive Roundtables - in which attendees
can talk through issues and share insights with
one another - have been doubled. A second day has been
added for each Executive Roundtable topic to provide attendees
the opportunity to attend more than one.
The keynote speakers at the convention will be George
Blankenship, former executive of Tesla Motors, Apple and
GAP, and Lt. Col. Scott Mann, retired US Army Green
Beret, who led the rescue of more than 1,000 Afghans who
served as allies of US troops serving in Afghanistan.
The Allied Trades of the Baking Industry will be celebrating
its centennial - make that 103 years - at a
Monday night gala, after the event was originally delayed in
2020 due to COVID-19.
" The agenda is planned to maximize benefits for all attendees, "
said Cordia Harrington, ABA chair and chief executive
officer at Crown Bakeries. " The speakers and programs
are outstanding. This will be a fantastic meeting. "
For the full list of speakers, activities and registration information,
go to americanbakers.org/convention.
The 2023 ABA
Convention is March
26-29 in Amelia
Island, Fla.
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