CHICAGO — Attendance already has increased about 50% at the American Society of Baking’s BakingTech 2009 event going on in Chicago. Healthy numbers also were reported for exhibitor booths and family attendance in the Baking Hall of Fame induction ceremonies.

Attendance had reached 1,274 on Monday and appeared likely to go over 1,300, which compared to 820 attendees last year. Exhibitor tabletop booths were sold out and numbered 202 booths, up from 183 last year.

Also, about 80 family and friends were on hand to see four people inducted into the Baking Hall of Fame. Dale LeCrone, who founded LeMatic, Inc., accepted his plaque in person.

Other inductees included the late Dr. Louys Rumsey, who began the Baking Science and Management program at Florida State University at Tallahassee in 1951; the late Louis Kuchuris, who founded East Balt Commissary to supply buns for the first-ever McDonald’s franchise; and the late Dora Schwebel, who formed the Schwebel Baking Co. with her late husband Joseph Schwebel.

BakingTech 2009 began on Sunday and runs through Wednesday.