Things to do and see at IBA include:

1. Benefit from the bundled practical expertise of the Central Association of the German Bakery Trade

At the stand of the German Bakers‘ Confederation (Hall 14/A21) visitors can find out more about the Confederation’s work. At the IBA forum, they can benefit from the hands-on know-how of professionals—the program changes daily. And at IBA Academy, trade fair participants and trainees will benefit from practical insights. Promoting the next baker generation is a major concern for the Confederation. At the "Trainee Workshop," trainees can learn about new developments in the baking sector during daily tours of the trade fair and can take home new in-depth knowledge at workshops (Hall 14/A13) from 10 am Monday to Thursday.

2. World-class competitions

Inspiration is provided by the industry's top talents. They will be demonstrating their skills in front of an audience at the German Bakers Confederation stand (14/A11) in the show bakeries:

• May 18-19: the best bakers from six countries will compete against each other for The IBA UIBC Cup of Bakers.  
• May 20: finalists of the German Championship of Master Bakers will compete against each other from the morning. Award ceremony: 5 pm 
• May 21: A premiere is the World Championship of Bread-Sommeliers, where 16 finalists from all over the world will be competing. Award ceremony: 5 pm
• May 21-22: the best confectioners from Korea, Albania, Italy, Germany, Mexico and Taiwan will fight for The IBA UIBC Cup of Confectioners. 

Further award ceremonies: 

• May 18, 11 am:  Honorary Award of the German Bakery Trade
• May 20, 10 am:  Design Competition The Bakery of the Future
  • 11 am: IBA Award
  • 12 pm: IBA Trophy 

3. Become a pretzel master with IBA Academy

Anyone interested in learning artisan bakery is absolutely invited attending a workshop offered by the IBA Academy (Hall 14/A13). Participants will learn original German pretzel making explained step by step by professionals: from ingredients to dough to forming the right shape. English language Master of Pretzels seminars are offered on opening Sunday from 2 to 4:30 pm and Monday through Thursday from 10 am to 12.30 pm. All participants will be awarded a certificate, and participants should make sure to register early.

4. On-stage program: best practice, panels, pitches, and more

Presentations will take place on three stages: the IBA Forum (Hall 14/A21) offers best-practice presentations and stage talks by industry experts in addition to the competitions. On the IBA Stage (Hall 15), there will be 20-minute presentations on focal topics and "sum-ups" by exhibitors every day from 10 am onwards. In the IBA Start Up Area (Hall 13/D61), founders will pitch their business models on Sunday at 1 pm and Monday to Wednesday at 10 am and 3 pm.

5. Networking: Ensuring contacts with people from all over the world

The international baking industry meets in Düsseldorf and for five days there are a lot of opportunities to network and to develop new business. At the exhibitor stands, on the fringes of competitions, award ceremonies, during or after panel discussions or at the evening events in the IBA Event Area.

6. Experience diversity live on 100,000 sq. m.

Whether it be personal discussions on site, live demonstrations, or new products visitors are invited to test at the stands, as IBA covers the baking industry’s entire spectrum: from automation, production and artisan bakery to snack ideas and food trends. Visitors can draw inspiration for the future of their businesses from this huge range of exhibits.

7. Solutions from all over the world in seven halls

983 exhibitors from 46 countries will be presenting their solutions: From artisan bakery to production, from process optimization, packaging, energy, ventilation and air conditioning technology to analytics, from raw materials, logistics, sales, and digitalization to finished products.

The seven halls are organized according to different focus areas: Production technology and equipment are in Halls 9, 10, 11, and 12, while packaging technology is shown in Hall 9. Raw materials and ingredients found a home in Hall 15. Halls 13 and 14 are all about artisan bakery: from operating technology to shop fitting. The IBA Digitalization Area in Hall 14 offer visitors the chance to experience the bakery of the future’s visionary possibilities and how employees can be unburdened by the smart use of modern technology.

8. Focus topics: digitalization, artisan bakery, and food trends

The top focus topics at IBA are artisan bakery, digitalization and food trends. They run like a common thread through exhibition program, competitions, and presentations as well as the special areas IBA Food Trends, IBA Digitalization Area (Hall 14), IBA Confectionery Tec area supported by ZDS The Academy of Sweets (Zentralfachschule der Deutschen Süßwarenwirtschaft in Hall 9/B11) and IBA Start Up Arena (Hall 13/D61).

9. IBA Tour – tours of the trends

Guided tours through the halls offer visitors an introduction to the wide range of exhibitor themes. They can learn about the latest trends in the bakery sector from company consultants on two-hour tours. The free IBA tours start daily at 1 pm, Thursday at 11 am. Please note: registration is mandatory to ensure optimum group size. The meeting point is always at the stand of the Central Association of the German Bakery Trade (Zentralverband des Deutschen Bäckerhandwerks, Hall 14/A21).

10. Celebrate together at the IBA Event Area in the evening

The IBA Event Area, an alpine hut outside between hall 10 and 16, is where attendees can enjoy food, entertainment, and celebrate together. GenussGarte & Friends will host a prograe on all evenings, entry possible at 6 pm, starting at 6:30 pm:

• May 18, 6 pm: IBA celebrations will kick off on Sunday with the IBA Backer Party for artisan bakers from Germany – the whole event will be held in German. The bakers‘ guild will be celebrating the city’s carnival motto “Helau Düsseldorf” with dance guards, bakers’ singers, carnival speeches, and music.
• May 19, 6 pm: All trade fair participants are welcome to join the IBA Networking Night on Monday to connect and celebrate with food and music. Anyone attending will automatically be entered into a prize draw for a trip to Dubai and master baker Sven Mostegl is giving away a five day experience as part of his book presentation.
• May 21, 6 pm: Wednesday night is Bakers-Night, established as an exclusive networking event for decision-makers in the baking industry and all trade fair participants. It is organized with GenussGarten & Friends as part of IBA. Food, drinks, and live music will be provided.

Tickets for all events are available online.

Related: Bakers to compete at IBA Cup of Bakers in Düsseldorf