Innovators in the dairy, deli, bakery, cheese, foodservice, and supermarket sectors will descend upon New Orleans this June for the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) conference. In between getting their beignets fix outside of the show, attendees will learn about pertinent industry topics, with plenty of educational sessions and tastings available on-site.

Points of interest

The IDDBA conference, an annual event, will bring buyers and sellers of products together, says Whitney Atkins, vice president of marketing and membership, IDDBA.

“The show floor is designed to ignite senses and create an experience like retail, foodservice, and C-stores do every day for consumers. There will be 900+ exhibitors showcasing their latest products and services to decision makers throughout the dairy (specialty cheese) and fresh deli and bakery industries. There will be show floor destinations for new products, new exhibitors, and of course, IDDBA’s own What’s In Store Live experience,” she adds.

What’s In Store Live is an area within the show that illustrates the information published in IDDBA’s What’s in Store digital publication. It also features trends and innovations that have emerged throughout the year, and is led by a team of leading industry professionals, including manufacturers, brokers, consultants, and retailers. Attendees can taste trends plus see innovative products in the industry. Last year’s six guiding trends ranged from “Food Influences Mind, Body, Spirit” to “Food Influences the Young, the Youngish, and the Young at Heart.”

Additionally, at this year’s show, IDDBA will host 15 industry buyers through its Golden Ticket buyer event. The event allowed retail buyers to apply for one of 15 “golden tickets,” which include a travel allowance, free registration, and lodging, plus complimentary meals and hosted market tours. The participants must actively engage on the show floor each day, attend the IDDBA NextGen event, post on social media once each day, and participate in video testimonial about their experience, plus complete a post-show VIP review.

Education lineup

“We know how important leading trends and data conversations with our members and within the industry is. During the IDDBA 2025 general sessions, we will feature panel experts who will go in-depth about actionable trends and consumer behavior data to help the audience grow sales and profits. On Sunday, the focus will be bakery trends and [on] Monday, deli trends,” Atkins shares.

A sample of Sunday’s educational sessions includes:

• How to Keep Your Cookies As Fresh as the Trends
• Through the Eyes of the Consumer: Trends that Matter in Dairy, Deli and Bakery in Retail, Food Service and Beyond
• Flavor Migration: Bringing Foodservice Trends to Retail Shelves
• Capturing the Gen Z Fresh Spend
• Bakery Playbook – Navigating Consumer Trends

And Monday’s educational lineup includes sessions such as:

• Sweet Innovations: Unlocking the Profit Potential in Bakery Trends
• Current Landscape of Foodservice Packaging
• Coming Protein Surge and How Deli, Bakery, and Dairy Can Win
• How Shopper Insights Can Help Dairy, Deli and Bakery Build Share by Breaking Out of Traditional Aisles and Channels
• How the Theater of Baking in Store Benefits Retailers and Consumers

In addition to the trends and data presentations, IDDBA shows are known for the opportunity to hear from popular industry and relatable celebs, says Atkins. General session speakers include cookbook author and Top Chef star Carla Hall, and Claire Saffitz, host of the YouTube baking show Dessert Person, which boasts more than 1 million subscribers. Michael Strahan, Super Bowl Champion and current co-anchor of Good Morning America, will also be speaking, as well as Academy Award-winning director and actor Kevin Costner, whose most recent project was the TV show Yellowstone.

Conference attendees will also have the opportunity for demos and photos with the celebrity speakers, all at booth no. 6533 on various days:

• Strahan: photo opportunity, June 1, 12:00 – 12:45 pm
• Hall: cooking demo and photo opp, June 1, 12:00 – 12:45 pm
• Costner: photo opp, June 2, 11:15 – 11:45 am
• Saffitz: cooking demo and photo opp, June 2, 12:00 – 12:45 pm

Challenges of prowess

IDDBA’s agenda also includes live-action competitions returning for 2025, such as Cake’d. Atkins says out of the 90 submissions this year, four decorators will be chosen from the list of IDDBA member retailers to compete at the show to see  who can decorate the most creative and impressive cakes. The ingredients are a mystery until the competition starts, and they are provided by What’s in Store Live sponsors.

Last year, Cake’d had its second annual contest in Houston, from June 10-11. The first round challenged decorators to create a three-tiered birthday or anniversary cake, to commemorate IDDBA’s 60^th anniversary. The second round, a “seasonal showdown,” randomly assigned three holidays or seasons to each decorator, whom selected one option and decorated three 5-inch cakes accordingly. Katie Jewell, Safeway, won the Fan Favorite award (chosen by attendees through voting, on the IDDBA app) and Katie Storr, Hy-Vee, was crowned Grand Champion, receiving the highest score from the competition’s panel of judges.

Social events

Atkins recommends attending IDDBA’s retail tour, which will take place Saturday, May 31 from 1:00 –4:00 pm. Attendees must register in advance.

“For those arriving Saturday, be sure to secure one of the limited spots for the retail tours. The tour is $50 and participants will take a bus to pre-determined local retail hotspots,” she advises.

On Monday, June 2, the conference will host its Monday Night Party, from 5:30 – 8:00 pm.

“Everyone is welcome to jazz it up, right after the show floor closes. Fun New Orleans themed events, finger foods, and a bar will be waiting,” Atkins adds.

In addition, IDDBA will include networking events hosted by its education team, such as a Next Gen mixer.

“We invite everyone to attend. This is a great opportunity to meet top employers and the next generation of talent,” Atkins notes.

For first-time attendees, she says to wear comfortable shoes, and “be ready to be amazed.”

“Download the year-round app and be sure you have notifications on, as we are always sending out tips, and of course the app is a must during the show,” Atkins comments. “This can help you make a plan and work your plan. It will be a busy two and half days.”