This is not your father’s bakery anymore. That’s a common refrain from Trina Bediako, chief executive officer of New Horizons Baking Co., Norwalk, Ohio, and member of the planning committee for the 2025 International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE). That statement applies to every aspect of the industrial baking industry from consumer demands to available technology and most certainly labor. 

“It’s so important for folks in the industry to understand the generational nuances and that we have to consider things differently,” she said. “I know I say it a lot, but it’s just very clear that this is not your father’s bakery; we cannot manage the way we used to.”

While extensive overtime used to be the norm, Bediako noted that the demand for work-life balance is forcing baking companies to think outside the box about how to schedule shifts. New Horizons has experimented with alternative schedules that allow employees to better live their lives outside of the bakery. 

“We want you to be happy here, and we want to be the employer of choice,” she said. “That helps us retain labor in the end.” 

It’s not just labor, however, that is changing. As a supplier to major QSR customers, Bediako said the next generation of consumers is also disruptive in the way they buy their fast food. 

“This is the ‘I haven’t eaten a Big Mac’ generation, ” she said. “They use their cell phones to order, so you have to have an app. There is this new generation of consumers, and we have to identify who they are and what they need.” 

Bediako said that at IBIE 2025 — which takes place Sept. 13-17 in Las Vegas — attendees will find a plethora of education sessions to help them and their teams gain valuable training and insights. 

“Baking is a science, and we don’t have the dough heads that we used to have, so we have to teach those skills, and IBIE is a great way to deepen our employees’ knowledge,” she said. “Take advantage of the training and courses with the intent to bring back something solid to your team. As managers, we’re getting our return on investment back, and employees appreciate that we’re investing in their professional development.”

Attending IBIE 2025 with a purpose, Bediako said, is critical to a successful show.

“At an event of this magnitude, there are many suppliers and education opportunities, so it’s important to set objectives and prioritize your time,” she said. “It has to bring value for growth for the future, for our employees and provide resources to help our customers.” 

In addition to education, Bediako encourages fellow bakers to come with a project in mind and see what’s new on the trade show floor and what could potentially meet their business’ needs. The value of IBIE 2025, however, comes in the show’s entirety.