The 2019 opening bread cutting ceremony of the International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) displayed a new sense of industry collaboration. Just before slicing the ceremonial loaf instead of a traditional ribbon, IBIE Chair Joe Turano announced a new strategic partnership with iba, the German Bakers’ Confederation’s triennial international trade fair, held in Munich.

“iba and IBIE have long been considered the top baking events in the world,” Mr. Turano said. Representatives from iba, along with the IBIE planning committee, welcomed a crowd in the concourse of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

President of Turano Baking Co., Berwyn, IL, Mr. Turano welcomed iba representatives Michael Wippler, president of the German Bakers’ Confederation, and Dieter Dohr, president and CEO of GHM, iba.

“We will work together as industry leaders with focus on uniting and advancing the global grain-based food industry,” Mr. Dohr said. “We will combine resources to increase brand awareness and enhance market penetration across emerging markets and educational experiences at both events.”

He added that the partnership is not about facts and figures. “It’s a matter of trust and friendship,” he said. “We want to look to the future and increase the business for all of you together with iba in Munich and IBIE in Las Vegas.”

Mr. Dohr added that the collaboration will allow all organizations with both events to extend their global reach through onsite booth presence, sponsorships, press events, educational programs and speaking opportunities. At IBIE, more than 100 countries are represented by attendees and exhibitors.

“I would like to wish all organizers, visitors and exhibitors a successful show and good international networking,” Mr. Wippler said. “May bread be the good that brings us together from all over the world.”