Shop Talk: Perspectives from Baking Industry Leaders

Hear What Industry Leaders Are Saying About
The Baking Expo™

Every three years, the global baking industry converges at IBIE—the International Baking Industry Exposition—a one-of-a-kind experience driving innovation, sparking new partnerships, and shaping the future of baking. Ahead of the 2025 edition in Las Vegas, we gathered standout quotes from bakers, business leaders, educators, cake artists, and engineers who’ve participated over the years to share why IBIE continues to be the must-attend event for anyone in the grain-based foods industry.

Why IBIE Matters Now More Than Ever

With so many forces reshaping our industry — from workforce pressures and supply chain volatility to shifting nutrition policies, food labeling reforms and evolving trade dynamics like tariffs — IBIE 2025 couldn’t come at a more critical time. The pace of change is accelerating, and the regulatory and business landscape may look completely different in just a few months. IBIE is where the global baking industry comes together to understand what’s ahead, share strategies and drive meaningful progress. If you’re not there, you’re missing out and risk falling behind.”
Mark Hotze
Vice President, North America, Corbion

IBIE is one of my favorite shows to go to. Whether you’re a mom-and-pop bakery or a big factory, there’s something for everybody here. It’s about giving back, seeing the new equipment, technology, ingredient trends, and decorating skillsets that are going on. I can’t stress enough how much I love this show. If you want to be in the baking industry — or already are — you should come to this show.”
Buddy Valastro
Owner, Carlo’s Bakery; TV Personality

IBIE is an indispensable part of my career. It’s helped me raise the bar in my own business. So many ideas were formulated at IBIE — moments where we said, ‘Oh my gosh, this can be made with food. How can we tell people about this?’ The connections and networking have been game changers.”
Keegan Gerhard
Chef and Owner, D Bar Restaurant

With IBIE being every three years, there is just so much happening. I would say for me, the most exciting thing at IBIE 2025 will be the Americas Selection for the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie — I think that’s going to be amazing!”
Romain Dufour
Owner, Chef Romain Dufour LLC

This will be my fourth time attending IBIE. The two things I enjoy most about attending the show are: 1) the opportunity to commiserate and share ideas with friends in the industry from all around the country and beyond, and 2) getting to explore new innovations that are available in all different facets of the bakery world. Norm Dinkel, owner of Dinkel’s Bakery, always used to tell me, ‘It only takes one new idea discovered at the show to pay for your trip.”
Luke Karl
US Operations Manager, Cybake Ltd.

I’m really looking forward to reconnecting with colleagues from across the entire baking industry after three years since the last IBIE. I always look forward to seeing the new innovations that are up and coming, learning and attending various speakers and forums, and just enjoying our time together in Vegas.”

Jennifer Lindsey
Chief Marketing & Digital Officer / Chief Transformation Officer, Corbion

Building Connections & Teams That Last

What I’m most looking forward to at IBIE 2025 is the connections I can build, the networking, and also having my eyes opened to other people’s passions. Hopefully, I can take that in with me, share it with my students, and let it help me become a better person and a better professional.”
Genevieve Meli
Instructor, Culinary Institute of America

I’m excited to kick off opening night of IBIE with the Rockin’ Pint Night featuring Wang Chung plus legendary baker Duff Goldman and his band Foie Grock! AB Mauri is thrilled to partner with IBIE to bring this one-of-a-kind event to the baking community. It perfectly embodies our company’s passion for baking and commitment to fostering connections within the industry. Where else can you see a rock star lineup of awesome ’80s tunes and both raise a glass to the baking industry and reconnect with colleagues from around the globe?”
Rick Oleshak
Vice President of Marketing, AB Mauri North America

There are a lot of cottage bakers and students who might not have opened a brick-and-mortar store yet, and IBIE is an opportunity to be exposed to these resources. It all goes back to the education and making connections through networking at the show and beyond — and I think IBIE is tremendous for that.”
Amie Smith
Owner, AMIE Bakery

IBIE has been a hugely important part of our company’s growth. We bring the entire operations team and target what we need now — while also exploring future partners. It’s genuinely the one-stop shop for us to find what we need to grow.”
Chimene Mayne Ross
CEO, Killer Brownie Company

We plan ahead for IBIE. All departments — manufacturing, packaging, sanitation, maintenance, food safety — get together and identify our pinch points. Then we split up at the show and execute.”
Katherine Yates
Director of Operations, Killer Brownie Company

Seeing IBIE for the first time was like discovering a whole new world. I’m here with six of my colleagues from Eli’s — most have 30+ years of experience and have attended many IBIEs. That mix of fresh perspective and deep experience is really powerful. For me, the most exciting part is discovering ways to make our associates’ lives easier while improving food safety and quality.”
Elena Schulman
Vice President, Eli’s Cheesecake Company

I use IBIE as an opportunity to bring my engineering team. They know what they know — but often don’t know what else is out there. It’s a great chance to make connections and discover technologies we hadn’t considered.”
Jeff Miller
Vice President of Engineering, Aspire Bakeries

IBIE is like visiting 100 different bakeries in a few days. We go in with a list — but we always uncover things we weren’t expecting. Whether you’re new to the industry or a veteran, it’s incredibly eye-opening. Every show reveals different solutions for different bottlenecks.”
Josh Allen
Owner, Companion Baking

Don’t go it alone. Bring your cross-functional team… The most transformative outcomes come when the whole organization is aligned and energized by what they experience together at IBIE.”
Bill Quigg
President, Richmond Baking / More Than A Bakery

IBIE is like the Olympics of the baking industry. I love this show. It’s my sixth IBIE and it’s where I’ve met some of my mentors and some of the biggest icons in the baking industry. I’m looking forward to walking the show floor, mixing and mingling, and making more IBIE memories.”
Michelle “Mitchie” Curran
Owner, Mitchies Munchies

Learning at the Forefront: IBIEducate

Every time I come to IBIE, I learn so much. What you’re seeing is the absolute cutting edge of where the baking industry is — and that’s why it’s so important to be here.”
Duff Goldman
Owner, Charm City Cakes; TV Personality

I always find at least one nugget at IBIE that I wasn’t expecting. It’s like a treasure hunt. I’ll have an ‘A-ha!’ moment — whether I see something at a booth or during a conversation. I always learn something new. And with IBIEducate, there are so many sessions and topics to explore when you’re running a bakery business.”
Amie Smith
Owner, AMIE Bakery

IBIEducate sessions may be my best time spent all year — I always walk away with a new idea, a new contact, or a new application I didn’t know before. The education program is world-class. It dives deep into trends like clean label, allergen-friendly formulations, and functional ingredients that support specialty diets.”
Bill Quigg
President, Richmond Baking / More Than A Bakery

The need for education in the baking industry has grown significantly. When you look for comprehensive learning opportunities, especially for hands-on experience with things like AI, there aren’t many places to turn. IBIEducate fills that crucial gap.”
Mark Hotze
Vice President, North America, Corbion

Innovation That Moves the Industry

I like seeing the new inventions and things suppliers are unveiling to share with the world. Then connecting the dots and matching our current needs with what suppliers are offering.”
Eugenio Alvarez Ibarguen
VP Global Engineering and Maintenance, Grupo Bimbo

What really stands out to me is how much has changed since the last IBIE. As a baker, it’s amazing to see how new technology has been applied to some of the legacy mechanical systems we’ve seen in the past.”
Josh Bickford
President, Clyde’s Donuts

I’m really looking at consumer trends as we go to IBIE. What’s new from an equipment or ingredient standpoint that will help bakeries succeed with new challenges? Of course, there’s AI too — and how that’s going to layer into our equipment to make it more user-friendly from a maintenance or troubleshooting standpoint.”
George Martin
VP of Operations at Flowers Foods

From the expo floor to the education sessions, you’ll find tailored exhibits and suppliers focused on high-growth areas like snack foods, artisanal baked goods, gluten-free, keto, gourmet pet treats and more.”
Bill Quigg
President, Richmond Baking / More Than A Bakery

Global Perspectives, Industy-Wide Purpose

IBIE brings together chefs, bakers, and industry professionals from all areas of the baking industry. It brings in so many different perspectives all in one place. It’s a great opportunity to learn from others, share your knowledge, and be inspired.”
Lauren V. Haas
Instructor, Culinary Institute of America

IBIE 2025 stands as a global destination for innovation, collaboration, and inspiration… a convergence point for the entire world of baking. IBIE is truly a comprehensive, forward-looking event that caters to the full spectrum of baking professionals.”
Bill Quigg
President, Richmond Baking / More Than A Bakery

IBIE has always set the standard for innovation in the global baking industry. It’s an opportunity to learn, connect and apply new knowledge that will make a lasting impact.”
Jorge Zárate
Chief Supply Chain Officer, Grupo Bimbo

The show itself stands the test of time. It’s a unique opportunity to have all suppliers and partners in one place, allowing us to see what’s new and strengthen those relationships. There’s simply no substitute for those one-on-one, in-person interactions.”
Kim Albers-Nisbet
CEO, United States Bakery (Franz Family Bakery)

IBIE represents an easy and efficient way to talk with thousands of suppliers in a matter of days.”
Tim Ramsey
Vice President, Hearthside Food Solutions

What I expect from the International Baking Industry Exposition is to establish a dialogue through the culture of baking, to learn about trends and new ideas from other countries, to talk about the methods and culture of baking in my country, and to create links with education at an international level.”
Sandra Edith Pizano Diaz
Chef, Pizano Gastronomia

One Event. Endless Possibilities.

At IBIE 2025, attendees will find the people, products, and insights they need to stay ahead. With access to 875+ exhibitors, 250+ education sessions, demos, and workshops, and numerous opportunities to connect with peers, IBIE is where baking trends come to life—on the show floor, in the classroom, and in every conversation.

Whether you’re attending for the first time or returning with a seasoned team, IBIE offers something for everyone. The next great idea, connection, or inspiration could be waiting just around the corner on the show floor.

Join us for IBIE 2025 and be part of the story.

REGISTER NOW