IBIE - 2016 Special Edition & Show Preview - 69

B&CMA, ABA Pathway to the FUTURE As B&CMA explores a possible merger with ABA, the association examines opportunities and synergies. by Joanie Spencer, Baking & Snack In March 2016, the Biscuit & Cracker Manufacturers' Association (B&CMA) and the American Bakers Association (ABA) made an unprecedented announcement that the two organizations planned to explore the possibility of merging in 2017. As the investigation into the merger's possibility gets underway, the main thing to note is that together, the two organizations have more than 200 combined years in the industry - that's quite a bit of history and tradition to consider. "We both have traditions to respect, honor and continue," said David Van Laar, B&CMA president, noting some of the immediate and obvious synergies as well as opportunities for seamless overlap for the two. While there still appear to be more questions than answers, ABA and B&CMA are working diligently to explore all avenues and opportunities while keeping the members' best interest at heart. "Our members, both on the allied and baker sides, are realizing the synergies that will be available through this merger," Mr. Van Laar said. "We're uncovering ways that this would make sense in areas such as training and government relations." A vision for education A common question among B&CMA membership was what a merger would mean for the annual technical conference, a hallowed tradition and critical educational benefit of the organization. Mr. Van Laar emphatically expressed that, should the two associations move forward with a merger next year, there are no changes anticipated for the 2017 technical conference, to be held April 30-May 3, 2017, in San Antonio. And in looking further into the future, he sees opportunities for growth, especially in welcoming those ABA member companies that are not currently B&CMA members but who produce or sell cookies and crackers. "There are bread and roll companies that also have cookie or cracker lines, and if we merge, those members would have access to B&CMA programs including the technical conference." IBIE also presents opportunities for B&CMA to showcase its expertise with three different educational sessions being offered at the show, all based on the B&CMA correspondence course. "These courses are educational and useful," Mr. Van Laar said. "They're from our textbook, and people enrolled in the course will get work project credit by attending the classes." Additionally, B&CMA will be on the tradeshow floor conducting interactive demos that address problems and solutions pertaining to formulation variations. "We're not IBIE 2016 / PreShow Guide / 69

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IBIE - 2016 Special Edition & Show Preview

IBIE - 2016 Special Edition & Show Preview
Table of Contents
IBIE PERSPECTIVE - Challenges Amid Attractive Conditions
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY - Well Positioned for Growth
Fuel for the future
PARADE OF PROGRESS - Bakers and exhibitors say they go to IBIE because …It's About the Future
EQUIPMENT TRENDS SURVEY - Good Vibrations
IBIE TECH - Must-have Mobile
ENGINEERING ROUNDTABLE - Putting it on Automatic
ABA PERSPECTIVE - Election 2016: The Stretch Run
Getting the Message Out
‘Premiumization’ opportunities abound
B&CMA, ABA - Pathway to the Future
Cookie-cracker education at IBIE
FSMA & THE BAKERY - Proof of Validation
SANITATION & SAFETY - Signs of the Times
How to collaborate, a PMMI protocol
PACKAGING - One-stop Shop
COLD STORAGE LOGISTICS - Securing Smooth Sailing
INGREDIENT CHOICES - The Big Questions
Go ahead, eat, it’s safe
TAX RELIEF - Go Ahead, Spend
SOCIAL MEDIA - Plugged into Consumers
INGREDIENT TRENDS - Favorable Forecast
INGREDIENT TRENDS: FATS & OILS - Deadline: 2018
WORKFORCE GAP - A New Paradigm
BREAD TRENDS - I Love Bread
bake - Special Edition
Retail Perspective - Road to Recovery
Retail Perspective: Equipment - Innovations Abound
Retail Perspective: Cake - Standing out from the crowd
Retail Perspective: Education - School in session
A World of Opportunity
INTERNATIONAL INSIGHT: BAKED FOODS - Global Growth: It's Not Easy
ALL-AMERICAN TAILGATE - Kickoff IBIE 2016
VEGAS GUIDE - Something for everyone
Off the beaten path
Ad Index

IBIE - 2016 Special Edition & Show Preview