Just before the education sessions commence and Expo hall opens at the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE), held Sept. 7-11 in Las Vegas, the American Bakers Association (A.B.A.) will host a logistics conference for distribution, logistics and transportation executives on Sept. 6. The A.B.A. Logistics Professionals Group — spearheaded by Jack Detiveaux, staff liaison for the group and manager of government relations and public affairs at the A.B.A., and Bob McGuire, committee chairman as well as vice-president and director of logistics at Alpha Baking Co., Chicago, — designed the event based on member feedback and current industry updates.

The conference will inform attendees about issues and policies that are impacting this segment through presentations and discussions. Some of these key challenges include Food Safety Modernization Act compliance, truck-only tolling and bakery equipment loss — or retail theft — such as with plastic trays and dollies. Another discussion will be about the proposal to decrease hours of service for truck and freight drivers, which is currently under review by the White House regulatory oversight office.

“This is the fourth rewrite of the Hours of Service regulations in 12 years,” said Robb MacKie, president and chief executive officer of the A.B.A., on the association’s web site. “The proposal would require significant changes to industry distribution systems, affect employee work hours and increase the cost of delivering fresh bakery products. Ultimately, the consumer would feel these costs at the checkout aisle. With high unemployment and high food inflation, now is the worst time to push regulation for regulation’s sake.”

The conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the IBIE Las Vegas Convention Center. To register for the informational event, please visit www.americanbakers.org.