Build a better mousetrap, and the world will beat a path to your door. That’s the expectation among attendees and exhibitors who will be at IBIE 2016, which runs from Oct. 8-11 in Las Vegas.
According to Baking & Snack’s recent survey on capital expenditures and equipment trends, bakers are in a shopping mood with 83% of baking professionals attending IBIE 2016 planning to look for new equipment at the show. However, many of them haven’t made up their minds on what they may buy. In fact, nearly two-thirds (64%) of respondents seem to be waiting to see what exhibitors have to offer before making a final decision on equipment purchases.
“A lot of the ‘maybe’ responses suggest they are taking the ‘when I see it, I will know it’s right for me’ approach,” said Marjorie Hellmer, president of Cypress Research Associates, which conducted the survey. “It’s definitely not a ‘no.’ It’s more of an ‘I’m still shopping and considering all of my options.’”
Rich Berger, vice-president of engineering, Clif Bar, noted the Emeryville, Calif.-based business typically attends industry expositions to dream of what’s possible and cultivate the future aspirations of the company.
“IBIE is effective in supporting our present-day needs, because the people, ideas and solutions are all in one place,” Mr. Berger told Cypress Research as a part of the survey. “Our team arrives knowing who and what we want to see. But during IBIE, we always set aside time to get together to think about the future and generate new ideas. It requires a shift in thinking. We take off our ‘present-day hats’ and put on our ‘creativity hats’ so that we can imagine 10 to 15 years into the future as we walk the floor.”
