Building on the record-breaking success of its 2016 event, the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE), commonly known as the Baking Expo and North America’s largest baking industry event, was honored by Trade Show Executive (TSE) as one of the Fastest-Growing Shows in the publication’s Fastest 50 Awards. IBIE 2016, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, was the largest show in terms of show floor and exhibitors in IBIE’s history, with more than 1,000 exhibitors, up 28 percent from 2013, covering more than 700,000 square feet of exhibit space. Attendance in 2016 increased by 9 percent compared to 2013, with approximately 23,000 registered attendees from more than 100 countries looking for the latest ingredient, equipment, technology, packaging and supply solutions.

IBIE’s leadership provided an update on planning for its 2019 event, to be held once again at the Las Vegas Convention Center in September, and announced its new committee, dedicated to raising the bar. Leading the IBIE committee is new IBIE Chair, Joseph Turano, president of the Turano Baking Co. Turano holds a Bachelors degree from Cornell University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago. He has been president of Turano Baking Co. since 2013.

“It’s an honor to serve as Chair of IBIE 2019 with our committee focused on maintaining the record-breaking momentum from 2016,” said Turano. “It’s our goal to deliver continued value for exhibitors and attendees alike in 2019 and create a destination where everyone in baking wants to be. Thanks and credit go to past Chair Mike Cornelis for setting us up with a successful platform on which to build for 2019. Planning is already well-advanced for the next event, with the committee working aggressively to spotlight innovation, networking and ideas with expanded offerings.

“Joe is steering the committee at an exciting time for IBIE,” said outgoing IBIE chair Michael J. Cornelis. “He brings vast experience to the table and we can expect great things for IBIE 2019 as the committee builds on the growth we saw in 2016.”

In addition to naming Turano as Chair, the following executives were elected to IBIE officer positions: Dennis Gunnell, vice pPresident, Sales & Marketing, Formost Fuji Corporation, who will step up as the IBIE vice chair, and Dave Watson, vice president, engineering, Campbell Soup Company/Pepperidge Farm, who will rise within the committee as the IBIE secretary and treasurer.

The committee also welcomed two new members: Timothy Ramsey, vice president - procurement, product development & commercialization, Hearthside Food Solutions LLC, and Dale J. “D. J.” LeCrone, CEO and owner, LeMatic, Inc. Ramsey, the committee’s representative from the American Bakers Association, has spent his entire career serving the food and beverage industry at global companies including Quaker Oats and PepsiCo. LeCrone, BEMA’s representative, has significant experience in the baking industry spanning more than four decades, and previously served on the board and committees for BEMA, the American Bakers Association and the American Society of Baking.

IBIE announced that two committee members have completed their terms: Richard Hoskins of Colborne Foodbotics and Howard R. Alton, III, Esq. of Pan-O-Gold Baking Company. The committee thanks them for their generous service and dedication to the growth of the event.

Returning IBIE Committee members include: Andrea Henderson, vice president, Rondo, Inc.; Fred Springer, president, Burford Corporation; Jorge Zarate, global operation and engineering SVP, Grupo Bimbo; Michael J. Cornelis, vice president, American Pan - A Bundy Baking Solution; and Robert Benton, senior vice presdient and chief manufacturing officer, Flowers Foods. 

For more information about IBIE, visit: www.IBIE2019.com.