The 2018 American Bakers Association Convention will take place April 14–19 at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, AZ. This year's theme, "Planting the seeds of growth," centers on three levels of empowerment

It seems like just a few months ago that the curtain closed on another successful International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE). But we began planning for IBIE 2016 just a couple of months after the show wrapped up. Every group involved, including ABA, has been pressed to step up its game.

The American Bakers Association (ABA) is grateful for the engagement of its members that ensured congressional action was taken to preempt Vermont’s GMO labeling requirement.

Multiple prevailing trends at the consumer and regulatory levels will factor into the business concerns of the bakery industry over the coming year. These include product-development dynamics like non-GMO, nutritional labeling, transparency and food safety—all of which have the potential to positively influence overall shopper perceptions related to bread and the other baked goods that play a part of dietary patterns.

Consideration of a final merger recommendation of the two baking industry associations is tentatively scheduled for March 2017.

The 2016 ABA Convention highlights ‘The Power of Baking’ through high-profile speakers, networking and meetings.

Ken Adelman, a former Reagan adviser, will share leadership lessons at the American Bakers Association’s 2016 convention in March.

At IBIE 2016, the American Bakers Association will sponsor content designed to enhance the commercial baker’s learning and show experience.

The American Bakers Association will move to a new location just a few blocks from Capitol Hill on Aug. 24.

Videos shot at the Sanitary Design Workshop by Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery, the exclusive media partner of the event, are now available at Snackandbakery.com.