Courtesy of IDDBA

“Attendees gain insight and engage face-to-face with industry leaders and influencers during this premier industry-only show for dairy, deli, bakery, and foodservice,” states Kat Shanahan, IDDBA’s VP of marketing and membership. “This once-a-year experience targets serious buyers, merchandisers, and executives who share a passion for food and the industry.”

While the food professionals that IDDBA is looking to draw in might be facing busy schedules and limited travel budgets, Shanahan says attendance is worth the time and financial investment, thanks to the unique chance to get a close look at new, innovative products, network with colleagues, dive into current and emerging trends, and take advantage of professional development opportunities not found anywhere else.

Trends in action

One of the special features, the What’s In Store Live area, seeks to bring food trends and profitable possibilities to the attention of the IDDBA audience.

“The goal of What’s in Store Live is to inspire and educate attendees and drive innovation by keeping food at the forefront,” Shanahan says. “We aim to deliver realistic and relevant What's in Store trend reporting, enhancing profitability, streamlining operations, and elevating execution at retail—all while fostering simplicity and enriching the customer experience.” 

Courtesy of IDDBA

The show section’s dynamic activities include live events on the workshop stage, a cake decoration contest, and an internship program engineered to encourage the next generation of food professionals. 

“In partnership with Rational Cooking Systems, we invite 25 students as Interns working alongside our team of Corporate Chefs and Retail, Grocery, and Bakery Foodservice Industry Leaders at the 2026 IDDBA Show,” Shanahan explains. “There are opportunities for each student who commits to all four days to explore show exhibits, engage with their assigned industry mentor, and network.”

Courtesy of IDDBA

The two-day Cake’d competition gives attendees a chance to see cake decorators from across the U.S. show off their formidable skills.

“It’s an annual competition where best-in-class cake decorators from around the country compete in a two-day decorating contest,” Shanahan says. “Applicants submit a portfolio to be reviewed by judges in the spring. Contestants are then notified and begin to prepare for the on-site competition that occurs in What’s in Store Live.”

According to Shanahan, the decorators’ portfolios are judged on originality, presentation, difficulty, design, and overall appearance. Then, during IDDBA, contestants are challenged through two rounds. This year, the first is the Holiday Showdown, where each contestant draws a different holiday at random, then creates:

• An arrangement of at least 18 cupcakes
• A 5-inch multi-layer cake
• A 12-inch cookie cake
• A half-sheet cake

Courtesy of IDDBA

Next, Cake’d competitors take on the 3-Tier Trial, with the theme centered around Florida’s scenery, wildlife, culture, or local cuisine. In this round, each entry must:

• Have three tiers using the provided 10-, 8-, and 7-inch round layers (which can be cut or stacked as competitors choose)
• Use at least two of the mystery ingredients provided (which must be different than ingredients used in the first round)

Courtesy of IDDBA

Honoring excellence

Many shows offer programs that salute industry members for going above and beyond in their careers. IDDBA is no exception—its Champions of Change initiative is intended to recognize leaders in the industry for making a difference.

“The Champions of Change Awards honor emerging and established leaders in the retail bakery, deli, foodservice, and dairy sectors, with recipients chosen annually from retailer/wholesaler and supplier/vendor communities,” Shanahan says, adding that candidates for the awards are nominated for the honor prior to the show, with the presentation at the closing night party.

The award recognizes leaders in four different categories:

• Store Department Directors/Managers: recognizes high-performing retail department managers for their exceptional leadership and impact
• Emerging Champions: highlights early-career professionals making a significant impact on their companies and communities
• Legendary Champions: honors senior-level leaders (VP or higher) for their strategic direction, innovation, and inspiring leadership
• Legacy of Excellence: given to a Legendary Champion who best exemplifies longevity, leadership, and a lifetime of achievements

Leaders and lessons

The IDDBA show offers a range of educational sessions for people working in different roles and sectors (watch the show’s education page for updates). While the show’s slate of speakers is being finalized (more announcements are expected in April 2026), the schedule frequently features big names well known to industry professionals, as well as celebrities recognized by civilians outside the field. The 2026 event is scheduled to host a mix of such names—to date, Shananan says, general session speakers include:

Courtesy of IDDBA

Courtesy of IDDBA

Courtesy of IDDBA

• Alton Brown: The cook, best-selling author, and filmmaker has been a TV staple, known for hosting popular shows like Iron Chef America and Cutthroat Kitchen. In addition, he has received two James Beard Foundation awards and a Peabody for his informational and educational show Good Eats.
• Trevor Noah: Host of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show for seven years, the Emmy-winning stand-up comic and actor also is a New York Times bestselling author. His memoir Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood has sold more than 3 million copies around the globe to date.
• Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski: The storied coach of the men’s basketball team at Duke University holds a number of records, including most NCAA Division I victories, most Final Four appearances (with five championships), and most decades with Final Four appearances (from the 1980s to his retirement in the 2020s). 
• Anne-Marie Roerink: While not a household name in the civilian world, Roerink is a sought-after speaker in the food industry. As the president of 210 Analytics, she offers analytics across a wide spectrum of categories, including bakery, meat, produce, and deli.

Courtesy of IDDBA

Courtesy of IDDBA

On June 6, before the show gets going, the IDDBA is hosting a retail tour. This curated event offers attendees a chance to see how different area shops organize and execute their deli counters, perimeter bakeries, and other sections. Stores scheduled on the tour include Sprouts, Rokka, Fresh Market, Bravo, and H-Mart. Tickets can be purchased during IDDBA registration.

What else?

Shanahan shares the IDDBA New Product Showcase is another event highlight. Intended to spotlight the latest innovations in products, flavors, and packaging, this feature is expected to include more than 1,000 new items from in excess of 325 participating companies. Additionally, she advises, the organization is working on a special new product awards program, expected to launch in time for the 2027 event.

Then, before the show wraps, the Monday Night Party—open to all registered attendees—is intended to close IDDBA 2026 in style. Food professionals can network in a relaxed atmosphere, with light food, entertainment, and more surprises in store, Shanahan states. Additionally, the Champions of Change Awards recipients will be named during the festivities.

Registration for IDDBA 2026 is now open—sign up or get more information here.