A virtual bakery trade show, eBakery Show International 2009, is set to launch next spring, according to Matthew D'Agostino, owner of La Bonbonnaire Bake Shoppes, Edison, N.J. He and Rick Crawford, owner of Crawford's Bakery & Deli, Indianapolis, are both members of the RPIA bakery buying group, which is supporting the project.

They have partnered with Carson Porter, attorney and author of High Creditability Wins, who previously formed an online events company; and David Patterson, online events consultant for the project who has experience with such events in the medical field.

Incorporating the ICongo Internet platform, the team plans to launch eBakery Show International 2009, an online bakery trade show, which is intended to reduce costs and travel times of a typical bakery and food convention. “This has the look and feel of a convention center,” D'Agostino said in a press release. “From the lobby to the education hall, visitor's lounge and the different floors of the exhibit hall, based on my experience, this is a convention.”

The show will be up for 60 days, from April 1 to May 30, 2009, and will be accessible for 24 hours a day during that time. The flexibility of attending the show from anywhere appeals to today's modern business people, according to eBakery Show officials. “Every baker, supplier and distribution company in the world is invited to exhibit and attend. The only technology needed is a broadband connection and the latest free edition of Adobe Flash,” said Patterson in the release.

While eBakery Show International 2009 is not designed to replace face-to-face contact, the online event will feature lounges and opportunities to interact one-on-one.