BEST In Baking

INDUSTRY AWARDS PROGRAM

Together with Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, the International Baking Industry Exhibition (IBIE)’s BEST in Baking Industry Awards program will honor suppliers and bakeries committed to excellence in the industry’s most paramount topics—from sustainability and supply chain innovation to workforce development and automation. Submit your application today to be recognized among the best in the industry and gain valuable exposure for your company. As a qualifying participant, you will be featured in Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery’s IBIE Show Issue, in IBIE pre-show promotions and winners will be highlighted at the BEST in Baking awards ceremony on-stage at IBIE 2025.

AWARDS AND OVERVIEW CRITERIA

The BEST in Baking industry award winners will be recognized in a presentation ceremony at IBE 2025 where each company will have the opportunity to explain their achievements in a brief acceptance speech. IBIE and Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery will also provide comprehensive, multimedia coverage of the winning companies in pre-show promotions, the mobile app, press releases and SF&WB magazine. Additional content from the show will be promoted across the industry in the months following the Expo’s conclusion, including podcast interviews, video profiles and interviews, and/or feature articles.

AWARDS CATEGORIES

Sustainability

Equipment, ingredients, packaging, technology, or other process that improves efficiency, reduces energy use, reduces environmental impact, and/or otherwise brings a notable sustainability to the baking industry.

* This category is open to suppliers only.

Start The Application

Automation & Robotics

Equipment or other technology that automates a manual process, improving throughput and reducing labor requirements.

* This category is open to suppliers only.

Start The Application

Plant Efficiency

Equipment, ingredients, packaging, technology, or other process not related to automation or robotics that improves operational efficiency.

Award subcategories:

• Supplier
• Wholesale Bakery, High-Volume ($50 million or more in sales)
• Wholesale Bakery, Intermediate (up to $50 million in sales)
• Retail Bakery

* This category is open to suppliers and bakers.

Start The Application

Sanitation

Equipment, technology, and/or process that brings a notable level of improvement to equipment and/or facility sanitation in the baking industry

Award subcategories:

• Supplier
• Wholesale Bakery, High-Volume ($50 million or more in sales)
• Wholesale Bakery, Intermediate (up to $50 million in sales)
• Retail Bakery

*This category is open to suppliers and bakers.

Start The Application

Workplace Development

Supplier or bakery programs that foster sustainable development and ongoing growth of the baking industry workforce.

Award subcategories:

• Supplier
• Wholesale Bakery, High-Volume ($50 million or more in sales)
• Wholesale Bakery, Intermediate (up to $50 million in sales)
• Retail Bakery

* This category is open to suppliers and bakers.

Start The Application

Sustainable Packaging Innovation — NEW FOR 2025

Bakery companies that have introduced sustainable packaging, including primary or secondary product packaging, for retail, wholesale, food service, e-commerce, and/or direct-to-consumer.

Award subcategories:

• Packaging Innovation, High-Volume Bakery ($50 million or more in sales)

• Packaging Innovation, Intermediate-Volume Bakery (up to $50 million in sales)
• Packaging Innovation, Retail Bakery

* This category is open to bakers only.

Start The Application

WHY APPLY?

REACH NEW CUSTOMERS:
Get featured in the pre-show issue of Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery magazine reaching thousands of industry professionals.

BOOST YOUR CREDIBILITY:
Be recognized in IBIE press releases, on the website, mobile app and in videos seen by key decision-makers.

CELEBRATE YOUR SUCCESS:
Take center stage at the BEST in Baking Awards Ceremony at IBIE 2025 for an acceptance speech and team photo.

BRAGGING RIGHTS THAT LAST:
Enjoy three years of well-deserved bragging rights! Promote your win with the official BEST in Baking awards logo and solidify your position as an industry leader. PRO-TIP! Leverage the IBIE BEST in Baking Industry Awards logo on your booth or by your product to showcase this achievement to IBIE attendees.

KEY DATES:

Applications are open from January 8 – April 30, 2025
Qualifiers will be notified by August 1, 2025
Winners announced onsite at the Awards Ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada at IBIE 2025

*APPLICATION CRITERIA:

All qualifying submissions must be new or significantly updated within the past three years.
Entrants can apply in multiple categories.
Though many may qualify, only one exemplary submission will qualify for Top Honors in each category/subcategory.
Suppliers must be 2025 exhibitors to be considered. Bakery entrants must be registered and present to win at IBIE 2025.