Baking Industry Convenes in Las Vegas for a Record-Breaking Event
Las Vegas transformed into the epicenter of the global food and beverage industry from September 13–17, as the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) 2025 welcomed thousands of professionals, innovators, and artisans from around the world. Widely recognized as the Western Hemisphere’s largest and most comprehensive baking event, this year’s IBIE didn’t just live up to expectations, it set new benchmarks for the future of food and beverage.
In a year defined by supply chain complexity, shifts in food and beverage trends, and evolving consumer preferences, IBIE 2025 stood out as the must-attend showcase for bakery innovation, food safety trends, hospitality technology, sustainable food brands, and menu innovation.
Unmatched Scale, Global Reach, and Dynamic Energy
- 1,005 exhibiting companies filled a record 451,100 sq. ft. of sold-out floor space: an impressive 9% growth over the 2022 edition.
- The event drew visitors from 96 countries, with 28% of buyers hailing from outside the U.S.: underscoring IBIE’s global stature in the food service industry.
- Notably, participation from Gen Z rose 8% and from Millennials an astonishing 43%, reflecting the expo’s role in workforce development and closing the skills gap in the hospitality industry.
Despite a slight decrease in overall baker attendance: attributed to economic pressures and travel costs: IBIE 2025 actually saw a 5% increase in company representation versus pre-pandemic years. Critically, 91% of attendees were identified as purchasing decision-makers or influencers, drawing procurement directors, food and beverage managers, hospitality managers, and foodservice executives from top-tier F&B brands and companies.
Expansive Education: IBIEducate and Live Engagements
This year’s IBIEducate program marked a major step forward in the expo’s commitment to actionable food and beverage management and workforce education. With more than 250 sessions and demonstrations: included at no extra cost: professionals gained insights on:
- Advances in AI and automation in baking and food service operations
- Formulation innovation in healthy meals, high protein yogurt, plant-based dining, and viral flavors like ube and pistachio milk
- Scaling small- and medium-sized bakeries for commercial food and beverage companies
- Trends in hospitality technology and menu innovation to meet shifting demand for healthy food near me, family dining, restaurant marketing, and more
Chef Talks, a new addition, saw world-class Latin American talent presenting in Spanish. Real-time translation services, available for nearly all sessions and demos, dramatically expanded accessibility and global relevance.
The RBA Retail Bakers Center thrived with celebrity chef demos from hospitality industry icons like Buddy Valastro, Duff Goldman, Paulina Abascal, and Iginio Massari, plus hot up-and-comers and social media influencers. The foody energy was unmistakable: packed crowds, live Q&A, samples, and innovation at every turn.
Don’t miss: Our Ultimate Guide to Foodservice Trends in 2025: What Operators Need to Know (read now).
Awards and Competitions: Celebrating Excellence
Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie – Americas Selection
Teams from Brazil, Canada, Ecuador, Mexico, and the U.S. competed in bakery, viennoiserie, and artistic bread showpiece categories. Congratulations to Team Canada for a first-place finish and Team USA for a close second: both securing a trip to the world finals in Paris.
World Bread Awards USA
Often called the “Oscars of Bread,” this celebrated contest returned with 12 categories, live judging, and a trophy plus cash grand prize. Guy Frenkel (Céor Bakery) walked away as the overall winner. Explore more at World Bread Awards.
Panettone World Cup – Americas Selection
Making its IBIE debut, this festive contest sent chefs Martinez Jaime (USA) and Emmidio Isernia (Canada) forward in the traditional category, and Flores Torres Wilson (Ecuador) plus Vielma Ammary Coromoto (USA) in the chocolate division, each advancing to the Milan finals.
Creative Cake Decorating Competition
The Pillsbury Creative Cake Decorating contest lit up the expo as six teams showcased next-level artistry in wedding, fondant, sculpted, and buttercream cakes. Top honors went to Sabrina Sigouin and Sandra Major, with specialists like Aaron McInnis, Juanita Tobin, Jean Schapowal, Jesse Lesser, and the Mendez team topping individual categories.
Industry Leaders: Best in Baking Awards 2025
Recognizing trailblazers across the food and beverage industry, IBIE’s BEST in Baking Awards, in partnership with Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery magazine, spotlighted 65+ suppliers and bakeries for breakthroughs in:
- Sustainability: Puratos (Cubease dough conditioner; MECATHERM S.A. Energy Recovery System)
- Sustainable Packaging: JAMMPCO’s TA-DAA Box, KIND Snacks’ Paper Wrapper Pilot, Ardent Mills’ Stretch Wrap Reduction
- Sanitation: Nummies Bakery (Supreme Sanitation Program), Goodway Technologies’ PureBelt Modular Cleaning
- Workforce Development: Rising Above Bakery, Craftmark Bakery, Puratos’ employee wellbeing programs
- Plant Efficiency: Bimbo Bakeries USA’s net zero energy program, Intralox’s ZeroSplice Technology
- Automation & Robotics: New Horizons Baking Co.’s Smart Autonomous Bun Production, JLS Automation’s Peregrine IS Robotic Cartoning
For a full list of qualifiers and more on f&b industry awards, visit IBIE’s official site.
Event Highlights: Innovation and Community
- Rockin’ Pint Concert: Wang Chung and Duff Goldman’s band Foie Grock energized the show floor with ‘80s hits: doubling as a prime networking event.
- Chef Talks: International reach expanded with presentations in Spanish.
- Accessibility: Real-time translation enhanced inclusivity for global baking professionals.
- Interactive Demos: Live baking, hands-on equipment samplings, and deep-dive education helped food and beverage directors, managers, and institutional buyers strategize for the next wave of innovation.
Expert Insights & Industry Voices on the Future of F&B
“IBIE 2025 is a powerful reflection of our industry’s energy and strength. The sense of innovation is unmistakable: seeing professionals from across the industry come together to share ideas, confront challenges, and set new standards for excellence makes this event truly special. I couldn’t be more proud of how our community shows up.”
Jorge Zarate, IBIE Chair & SVP Operations, Grupo Bimbo (grupobimbo.com)
“The show floor was buzzing with innovation, meaningful connections, and a true spirit of collaboration: proof that when our industry comes together, we move forward with greater energy and vision. IBIE’s success this year is a testament to the dedication and passion at the heart of the global baking community.”
Allen Wright, IBIE 2025 Vice-Chair & President, Hansaloy (hansaloy.com)
“The camaraderie, passion, and knowledge-sharing at IBIE were truly palpable. The event fosters generosity in sharing expertise and creating lasting connections, supporting everyone from cottage bakers to large manufacturers. At its core, IBIE sets the gold standard for education through IBIEducate and top-notch talent presenting at the RBA Retail Bakers Center.”
Amie Smith, IBIE Committee & President, Retail Bakers of America (retailbakersofamerica.org)
Why IBIE 2025 Matters for Food & Beverage Innovation
The food and beverage landscape is changing at breakneck speed, and the 2025 International Baking Industry Exposition proved how critical it is for industry professionals to stay ahead of the curve. Not only did IBIE deliver on the promise of outstanding food and beverage news, it gave the global baking, hospitality, and beverage industries the chance to collaborate, learn, and grow: all under one roof.
Key takeaways:
- The baking and beverage industry is doubling down on sustainability and automation.
- Gen Z and Millennial involvement in the f&b and food service industry is on the rise, shaping viral flavors and restaurant marketing strategies for years to come.
- Industry awards highlight the importance of innovative management, food safety trends, and technology adoption for every food and beverage company.
- Real-world learning, live demos, and competitions drive actionable results for hospitality leaders.
For more on recruiting and equipping your food and beverage team, check our feature: Top 10 Baker Interview Questions and How to Answer Them.
What’s Next: Save the Date for IBIE 2028
IBIE reinforced its standing as the food and beverage expo no operator, supplier, or innovator can afford to miss. Mark your calendar now: the baking world will reconvene in Las Vegas, September 10–13, 2028.
For continued updates, award results, and food and beverage industry news, visit BakingExpo.com and always stay plugged in at Food & Beverage Magazine.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine’s “Top 40 Under 40” for founding American Wholesale Floral. Politz is also the founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
