The American Bakers Association (ABA) is pleased to announce a strengthened and expanded Technical Conference program for 2018 with a targeted emphasis on solutions for cookie and cracker bakers, taking place October 28-31 at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis. The educational and training programming has been driven by the 2017 Technical Conference attendee feedback and the support and direction of the ABA Education Committee, comprised of bakers and suppliers in the baking industry. 

The conference will offer technical and interactive sessions across 15 innovative breakouts with concentrations on the latest developments in a swath of categories, such as manufacturing solutions, preventive controls, in-plant safety and sanitation standards and more. This year’s sessions are being developed to accurately address bakers’ needs and to identify baker-specific solutions to common manufacturing issues and processes.

New to this year’s conference includes a “Think Tank” – an interactive audience experience that incorporates group collaboration to discuss innovative approaches to industry-wide pain points. Additionally, the Bakery Tour, a past favorite, will return this year. The Kroger Co. will kindly open their doors to allow attendees to tour their Indianapolis Bakery. Attendees will also find many of the same features that have been a success in the past, including table top exhibits, hands-on training, networking events and the General Session.

“No matter how experienced you are, everyone can learn.  We can miss new ideas and trends that can impact future results, and this meeting addresses them on a technical level,” said ABA Education Committee baker chair Jim McBride, vice president of quality assurance, Schulze and Burch Biscuit Company. “The educational aspect of this conference can expose you to new ways of conducting industry processes and help you discover new manufacturing solutions.”

The Technical Conference Professional Staff assures attendees that there will be plenty of exciting additions to this year’s programming, including revamped education sessions, experiential opportunities and a few surprises.

Find out more about the 2018 Technical Conference here.