iba.Connecting Experts connected the global baking industry with two digital events in 2021: a total of 8,304 unique users from 136 countries met up on the virtual platform across the world. 14,745 registrations and 6,360 minutes of knowledge transfer were recorded as part of the online presentations with renowned experts. The course is thus set for the 2022 business year and a live reunion at iba 2023.

The baking industry met up once again in the virtual space from 25-28 October 2021: in the area of innovations, two world premieres were even presented. Questions, discussions and impulses: the participants made full use of the extended 28 live Q&A sessions and the live presentation by the Akademie Weinheim to communicate with the experts in real time. The presentations which received the most interest were “How to increase the water absorption of your baked goods,” “Soft Roll and Bun Production,” and “Baking Manufacturing Trends—Examining the U.S. Market.” Participants were able to specify several focal topics when they logged in as part of the interest-based recommendations. 55 percent were especially interested in the topic of crafts. This was followed by over 43 percent in raw materials and ingredients, automation, dough preparation, ovens and production equipment, as well as 40 percent in trending topics. On top of this, the participants also had the opportunity to speak to prize winner Heinrich Beck (Baker of the Year 2021) and track other awards online. The world’s best baker and confectioner in 2021 were announced in the course of the UIBC Award Gala at iba.Connecting Experts. Domi Velez from Spain was selected as the UIBC World Baker of the Year and David Schmid from Switzerland was chosen as the UIBC World Confectioner of the Year 2021. In addition, Günther Koerffer was elected as the new UIBC President as part of the UIBC Congress Meeting.

Susann Seidemann, director of iba, summarized: “We had the courage to take a new path and initiate a virtual network event. The industry’s longing for international exchange is what motivated us the most. World premières were presented, future-oriented lectures were held and the course was set for the new business year at iba.Connecting Experts. We are very grateful for the support and the professional cooperation with everyone who helped make iba.Connecting Experts such a valuable and successful meeting place for the industry.” The iba team is now concentrating on the global trade fair, which will be taking place again live in October 2023 at the Fairground Munich. “We are now looking forwards to iba 2023. We will provide the market with a strong iba in all its diversity and incorporate our experiences and ideas into the event. We are very excited to see everyone again in person!” said Seidemann. From October 22–26, 2023, the whole world will finally be able to meet up again for the iba in Munich. Then it shall be time to smell, taste, and feel once more. Key speakers, freshly baked bread, competitions, product displays, tasting sessions, and tours: the industry will finally unite again live.

Register for iba by clicking here.