Milling & Baking News - July 12, 2022 - 7

TUES | 07 12 2022
Editorial
With Nexus launch, BEMA putting
industry optimism into action
A
mong the more striking findings
in BEMA Intel data issued over
the past two years has been the
irrepressibly upbeat business outlook
expressed in a pulse survey of BEMA
members, quarter after quarter. In the
three months ended March 31, 86% of
BEMA members were positive about the
business outlook for the next six months.
Even as the group grappled with surging
cost inflation, supply chain disruptions
and weak demand trends in grain-based
foods, its sunny outlook held.
At BEMA's annual meeting last month,
the group put this sanguine attitude
toward its future into action with a
decision to launch Nexus, a new baking
industry event it will host in the off years
between International Baking Industry
Expositions. The first Nexus will take
place in September 2023 in Dallas.
BEMA's leadership for a few years had
been mulling the addition of another
industry event during non-IBIE years.
Progress accelerated this year when
BEMA chair Tim Cook established a task
force and named the organization's first
vice chair (and now incoming chair) Jim
Warren to head the group charged with
developing recommendations. Emily Bowers,
BEMA's vice president of education
and operations, served as the staff liaison
for the task force.
Tapping the group's creativity while
also gleaning lessons from what worked
and what did not from past and current
BEMA programs, Nexus took form over
the course of a few short months. Notwithstanding
this short timeline, its many
facets demonstrate the careful consideration
that went into the creation of Nexus.
For example, Spark Sessions, one of
three pillars of BEMA Nexus, seek to
EDITORIAL STAFF
Executive Editor, Markets
Neil N. Sosland
Editor
L. Joshua Sosland
Managing Editor
Eric J. Schroeder
Senior Editors, Markets
Jay S. Sjerven
Ron Sterk
Senior Editor
Jeff Gelski
Associate Editor, Markets
Matt Noltemeyer
Crystal Futrell
Digital Associate Editor
Gloria Cowdin
Markets,
Senior Graphic Designer,
Purchasing Seminar
Coordinator
Christina Sullivan
Publisher
G. Michael Gude
Associate Publishers
David DePaul
Bruce Webster
Matt O'Shea
National Account Executive
Russell Brody
National Account Executive
Tom Huppe
Sales Enablement Specialist
Whitney Hartman
bakingbusiness.com
MILLING & BAKING NEWS 7
take to a new level the successful BEMA
Connect program. BEMA Connect pairs
bakers and suppliers for one-on-one
" speed dates " in a ballroom over three
hours at the annual meeting each year.
Spark Sessions augment this model by
pre-matching teams of bakers and suppliers
for extended sessions in private rooms
over a two-day period. More encompassing
than BEMA Connect, Spark will create
a forum bringing larger groups together
and allows for in-depth discussions about
BEMA expects Nexus to be a popular " first meeting "
for younger bakers and allied suppliers, targeting
the industry's future leaders.
equipment, ingredient and engineering
technology and prospective or existing
projects. Spark is expected to feature
representation of the c-suite, project management,
procurement, operations and
research and development from baking
companies.
Because it is anticipated bakers and
suppliers will not continuously be in
Spark Sessions, education programming
dubbed " Ignite Education " by BEMA will
be a second pillar of Nexus. While keynote
presentations and white papers are
expected to be a part of the programming,
BEMA chief executive officer Kerwin
Brown said more interactive presentations
are anticipated too, offering as an
example a panel at the annual meeting on
BEMA Intel data with breakout discussions
in small groups afterward.
BEMA Collaboration is the third pillar
of Nexus and one with ambitious goals.
Described by Ms. Bowers as " where the
business of BEMA will get done, " board,
general membership, committee and
PUBLISHING STAFF
Director of
Audience Development
Dustin Pickman
Audience Development
Specialist
Hannah Carney
Director of Digital Media
Jon Hall
Digital Advertising Manager
Carrie Fluegge
Advertising Manager
Nora Wages
Advertising Coordinator
Annie Fournier
Design Services Manager
Elisabeth Spillman
Production Specialist
Marj Potts
Senior Design Consultant
Becky White
Promotions Manager
Jim White
Promotions Media Designer
Abby Chronister
Baking Industry Forum meetings will
be conducted. Because attendance will
include both bakers and allied suppliers,
though, BEMA hopes other industry
groups will partner to host board and
other meetings during Nexus, giving
deeper meaning to the Collaboration
moniker. Additionally, BEMA is committed
during Nexus to creating many
opportunities for industry professionals
to interact, including receptions and
meals.
To be less costly than the group's
annual meeting, the pricing recognizes
the degree to which the expense associated
with attending industry events has
become a barrier to participation. BEMA
expects Nexus to be a popular " first
meeting " for younger bakers and allied
suppliers, targeting the industry's future
leaders. Noting that he and many of his
industry peers established longstanding
business relationships at events early
in his career, Mr. Brown characterized
Nexus as " an investment in the future. "
Undoubtedly, the program will evolve,
but the bold decision to launch a new
industry event is a welcome demonstration
of leadership and confidence in the
future of grain-based foods. MBN
Josh Sosland, Editor
We're eager to get your feedback.
editor@sosland.com
CORPORATE
Chairman and CEO
Charles S. Sosland
President
L. Joshua Sosland
Chief Financial and
Administrative Officer
Staci Greco
Chief Operating Officer
and Executive Editor
Meyer Sosland
http://www.bakingbusiness.com
Milling & Baking News - July 12, 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Milling & Baking News - July 12, 2022
