The baking industry's first online trade show, eBakery-Show International 2009, will move its opening date from April 1 to August 1. The move is in response to the recession, according to trade show planners.

“When we planned our virtual show, we had no idea the world would be hit with the deep recession we now have. While many companies want to participate in the show, their budgets are simply stretched too thin for the fiscal year ending June 30,” said Matt D'Agostino, CMB and owner of La Bonbonniere Bake Shoppes in New Jersey, one of the principals of the show. The group has postponed eBakeryShow International 2009 for three months, so it will now be held Aug. 1 to Sept. 30.

D'Agostino, along with his partners Rick Crawford, CMB; consultant David Patterson and Carson Porter, who owns a company specializing in online shows, determined these dates to move the show closer to the RBA and Düsseldorf shows in October.

“In addition to all the benefits of the virtual show, the eBakery-Show will serve as a “launching” ground for new products and ideas for those shows and motivate attendees to attend and participate in those live events,” Crawford added.

EBakery-Show International 2009 eliminates many of the hurdles for those who exhibit as well as attend trade shows, show sponsors say. They cite the following show benefits:

• Eliminate travel expenses

  All that is needed to attend is a broadband Internet connection and the latest version of Adobe Flash.

• Everyone can attend

  The show requires no time away from the office and will be available for 60 days.

• More education

  Visitors can attend every educational session of interest and will have the opportunity to download supplemental documentation and handouts.

• Bridge the generation gap

  The show offers bakers of all ages?from those just starting out to seasoned professionals?efficient opportunities for networking by using widely available technology.

• No carbon footprint

  EBakery-Show International 2009 is 100 percent green, eliminating the carbon footprint of traditional tradeshows.

For more information, visit www.ebakeryshowinfo.com.