Mark your calendars for the biggest educational event of 2019 when the Western Hemisphere’s largest baking industry event returns. Expected to be bigger than ever, the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) will take place Sept. 8-11, 2019, in Las Vegas. New for 2019 is IBIEducate, a full day of education on Sept. 7, one day prior to the exhibit hall opening.

According to Andrea Henderson, who is chair of the IBIE Education Task Force and vice president at RONDO, the additional day of education comes in direct consideration of attendee feedback. “We heard from attendees that they were challenged on how to balance their schedule between IBIEducate sessions and the time needed to meet with suppliers on the show floor,” Henderson says. “By introducing this dedicated day of learning before the exhibit hall opens, we’re creating an opportunity for attendees to take full advantage of IBIEducate, gain a more complete experience at IBIE, and return home more prepared with new ideas and strategies to improve their products, optimize production, and support business growth.”

IBIE has enhanced its cutting-edge education curriculum with new seminars focused on the most relevant issues facing the industry. The IBIEducate program features more than 100 seminars, organized into nine targeted tracks that include: Artisan and Specialty Foods, Retail, Wholesale and Management. Sessions touch on everything from safety and sanitation standards to old world artisan breads and other hot industry trends. Organizations that contributed to the new program include AIB International, American Bakers Association, American Society of Baking, Bakery Equipment Manufacturers and Allieds (BEMA), Bread Bakers Guild of America, Grain Foods Foundation, Retail Bakers of America, and the RPIA Group.

“As the only non-profit event in the industry, IBIE is always looking for opportunities to give back,” Henderson says. “This year, we’re particularly excited about the Student Immersion Program that we’re launching at IBIE 2019, which is designed to support students in establishing their career in the baking industry. Students who are selected for this program will get behind-the-scenes access at the show, participate in meetings with select exhibitors, and receive a stipend from IBIE for their travel and accommodations.”