Certified Master Bakers (CMBs) with successful businesses from around the nation will be imparting knowledge worth tens of thousands of dollars to entrepreneurs who want to explore joining the Baking Industry. The CMBs, who belong to the RPIA Group, have put together The Business of Baking for Beginners, a first-of-its-kind seminar that will be held on October 1-2, 2011 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Schaumburg, Illinois. This seminar will teach aspiring bakery owners effective tricks of the trade and behind-the-scenes knowledge that only comes with extensive years of experience.

The Business of Baking for Beginners seminar takes place on October 1st and 2nd before the All Things Baking 2011 Conference & Exposition, also held in Schaumburg, October 2nd through October 4th. At the two day Business of Baking for Beginners Seminar, other industry experts will provide key secrets to successful manufacturing, hiring, product packaging, marketing, and other vital business operations.

Members of the RPIA Group, an organization started 10 years ago to pool the knowledge of professional bakers operating successful businesses, decided to celebrate the group's 10th anniversary by developing The Business of Baking for Beginners Seminar. “The concept for a focused educational experience, detailing how to start and operate a bakery, is decades old,” says Rick Crawford, Managing Partner of the RPIA Group. “The baking industry never intended to be closed; quite the opposite is true.”

Larry Merritt, CMB of Merritt’s Bakery, Tulsa, Oklahoma—and a founding member of The RPIA Group—says, “I wish somebody could have helped us in the beginning. It was just plain hard - too many long days for too little money and costly mistakes! We need to try and make a difference for the new folks in the industry.”
As a result, says Crawford, “Our presenters will bring a specific knowledge and expertise that will help attendees shorten the time it takes to rise up the learning curve. In the baking industry, the mistakes made during the first two years can mean the difference between success and failure. That’s why our 10th anniversary is the perfect time to launch this event and to share our best with the newest group of bakery owners. We have a mission to help and serve others new to the industry.”
Pat Dwyer, Senior Trade Show Manager of The All Things Baking Conference stated, “ATB is delighted to have this comprehensive business program held in conjunction with our educational sessions and tradeshow. We are both happy and excited to add more value for our future owners, attendees, and exhibitors. By working together and supporting one another, we can positively impact our industry’s growth and development.”

More information and registration can be found on the website www.BusinessofBakingNow.com. “The whole industry - from manufacturers to suppliers to customers - looks forward to the new businesses created by the kind of persons and entrepreneurs that will attend The Business of Baking for Beginners,” states Crawford. He adds, “For the first time in our industry’s history, 300 people will have an opportunity to do what others before them have yearned, for years.”