BEMA’s 2010 annual meeting, held June 17-22 in Charleston, S.C., hosted 21 first-time attendees, up 100 percent from last year. Newcomers attended the meeting to meet quality bakers, potential customers and fellow suppliers, according to a post-event survey. All attendees had the opportunity to interact with industry bakers and gain insight into industry issues such as food safety, health care costs, the need for better spare parts management and the vitality of the baking industry. Mike Cornelis of SASA-Demarle was named BEMA chairman.

Mark Ungashick (right), Shick USA, passes the gavel to incoming chairman Mike Cornelis, SASA-Demarle.

BEMA thanks outgoing Baking Industry Forum Member (left to right) Rowdy Brixey, Bimbo USA; Bruce Campbell, AMF; Mike Steur Hixson Architects & Engineers; and Rich Berger, Sara Lee.

Members listen to a panel of bakers as part of the educational sessions.

Bill Paterakis, Northeast Foods, and Paula Marshall, Bama Foods, answer questions from the audience.

(left to right) Rich Berger, Sara Lee; Dave Hipenbecker, The Kroger Co.; Rowdy Brixey, Bimbo USA; Jeff Dearduff, East Balt, Inc.

Richard Junge, McDonald's Corp., talks about food innovation.