Washington, DC—In the wake of a record-breaking 40 percent jump in attendance at its last triennial event, all indicators suggest that the baking industry’s largest international Baking Expo™ will enjoy an even more enthusiastic reception of its upcoming show.
Trade show organizers for the International Baking Industry Exposition report that exhibit space reservations for IBIE 2013, scheduled for next October in Las Vegas, Nev., are tracking well ahead of sales when compared to the same time period leading up to the 2010 show. During the first and second round assignments, which gave priority to ABA, BEMA and RBA members as well as 2010 exhibitors, reservations jumped 41 percent in square footage and 22 percent in the number of exhibiting companies. The sales team also had much success recruiting new exhibitors to IBIE at iba, held last month in Germany. 9,000 square feet is already on hold based on their efforts at the show.
Considering the brisk pace of exhibit sales thus far, IBIE leasing agents say they are well on their way to surpassing the 700+ exhibitors at the 2010 show. Currently, nearly 400 companies from across the grain-based food industry have signed up for space on the 2013 Expo floor, including new players such as Baxter Manufacturing, Fresh Origins, Blodget Ovens, Doyon Nu-Vu, Packaging Progressions and Canol.
IBIE chair Mike Beaty is understandably pleased with the response. He interprets IBIE’s momentum as, “a reflection of the overall strength of the baking industry.” He also points out the importance of IBIE to baking industry businesses. “The fact that we’re so far out in front of exhibit sales at this point is a testament to the value and impact of IBIE. Baking industry manufacturers and suppliers know what IBIE can do for their sales and profits, and they’re not hesitating to get on board.”
Mike Cornelis of American Pan didn’t need convincing. “IBIE gives us a cost-effective opportunity to put our company and products in front of a huge audience of top-quality buyers from all over the world. As a company that needs to court international business, we absolutely must have a presence at this show.”
Building on the momentum of the last event, which brought more than 20,000 baking professionals to Las Vegas in 2010, IBIE intends to cast its net even wider in 2013. An aggressive, multi-channel campaign coupled with participation in the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Buyer Program promises to increase the number of qualified buyers from core and ancillary markets, and also includes a major push to target the all-important international audience. Exhibitors should expect to see an increase in the number of baking pros from South America, Asia and Europe as a result.
IBIE has long been considered the place where the industry unites, where all segments of the grain-based food industry come together to benefit from the newest baking technology. Given the rate of exhibit sales and the projected increase in space, participants in IBIE 2013 can anticipate a wider variety of products, equipment, supplies and technology on the show floor.
As exhibit sales continue, the availability of premium space is dwindling. Companies that have not yet secured their place at IBIE are encouraged to act quickly, as applications will be handled on a “first come, first served” basis. Information on how to sign up for exhibit space is available at www.IBIE2013.com.
IBIE, sponsored by the American Bakers Association (ABA) and the Baking Industry Suppliers Association (BEMA), is recognized worldwide as the grainbased food industry’s largest, most comprehensive trade event. A “working show,” where millions of dollars of business is conducted daily, IBIE brings the entire professional baking community together, offering the complete range of equipment, supply and ingredient solutions and showcasing the newest baking technology in 500,000 net square feet. The triennial event will next be held in Las Vegas, Nevada October 6 – 9, 2013.
Attendees include employees of: wholesale bakeries, suppliers and distributors; supermarket chains, central bakeries and commissaries; supermarket in-store bakeries; multi-store and single unit retail bakeries; intermediate wholesale bakeries; donut, pie and cookie retailers; cake and cupcake shops; foodservice operators; tortilla producers; snack food producers; biscuit & cracker producers. Exhibitors include manufacturers and suppliers of: baking/food equipment and systems; ingredients, flavorings, spices & fillings; ingredient handling systems; packaging materials & systems; technology; sanitation equipment; transportation & distribution equipment; refrigeration equipment; business services.
Source: International Baking Industry Exposition