WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Bakers Association (ABA) is pleased to announce two panel discussions taking place during the 2018 ABA Convention Morning Business Session on Monday, April 16. Exploring opportunities to leverage the power of baking and innovation to drive growth, these respective panels will draw upon their extensive knowledge of the baking industry to engage in thought-provoking dialogues with convention attendees.
Back by popular demand, retail insights thought leader Todd Hale, former SVP, Consumer & Shopper Insights with Nielsen, and Principal, Todd Hale, LLC, will present his annual hallmarked State of the Baking Industry Report replete with analysis of what drives shopping trips and what builds shopping carts. In fact, last year’s report revealed that ABA member categories delivered nearly $50 billion in retail sales. This year, he will moderate a distinguished panel of baking industry experts who will elevate the conversation on combining the power of retailers and suppliers to influence consumers’ purchasing habits within the baking category, titled Leveraging the Power of Bakery to Drive Growth.
Leveraging the Power of Bakery to Drive Growth panelists include:
- Rick Stein, Vice President, Fresh Foods, Food Marketing Institute
- Brian Dwyer, Vice President Manufacturing Operations, The Kroger Co.
- Andy Muler, Executive Vice President Biobased Ingredients, Corbion
- Carrie Jones-Barber, CEO, Dawn Foods
“Todd’s exclusive baking industry data will offer ABA Convention attendees new insight on retail impetus, specifically for ABA member product categories,” said ABA President and CEO Robb MacKie. “This impressive panel will supplement Todd’s presentation with case study examples of individual business successes and ideas.”
The second panel, All in the Family: Leveraging Innovation to Drive Growth, bringing baking and supplier company executives to the stage, will exchange perspectives on how they innovate to drive the growth of a family business. Moderator Monica Watrous, Digital Media Senior Editor of Food Business News at Sosland Publishing, will steer the panel to discuss how innovation in the baker-supplier partnership factors into their family business success.
All in the Family: Leveraging Innovation to Drive Growth panelists include:
- Lisa Turano, Vice President Legal, Turano Baking Company
- Todd Wallin, President, Ellison Bakery
- Tom McCurry, Managing Director and COO, Cain Food Industries
- Morgan Murphy, Vice President, Sales, Mother Murphy’s Flavors
“Since many ABA member companies are multi-generation businesses, the All in the Family panel is well-positioned to discuss topics that impact numerous bakers and suppliers,” said MacKie. “The panelists will bring diverse expertise to the table as they discuss business partnerships and development of the industry.”
Find out more about the 2018 ABA Convention.
###
About the 2018 ABA Convention:
The premier annual gathering of the baking industry, the 2018 ABA Convention will take place April14-18 at the Phoenician in Scottsdale, Ariz. This event is where top industry leaders will network with key colleagues, leverage expertise to navigate the evolving marketplace, and tap into new strategies for growth. Follow the convention with #PlantAhead
About the American Bakers Association:
The American Bakers Association (ABA) is the Washington D.C.-based voice of the wholesale baking industry. Since 1897, ABA has represented the interests of bakers before the U.S. Congress, federal agencies, and international regulatory authorities. ABA advocates on behalf of more than 1,000 baking facilities and baking company suppliers. ABA members produce bread, rolls, cookies, crackers, bagels, sweet goods, tortillas and many other wholesome, nutritious, baked products for America’s families. The baking industry generates more than $153 billion in economic activity annually and employs more than 799,500 highly skilled people. Follow ABA with #AmericanBakers
Source: American Bakers Association