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| Chip Klosterman, Klosterman Baking Co. and ABA chairman | George Deese, Flowers Foods; Lee Sanders, ABA; Robb and Barb MacKie, ABA; John Riesch, Lesaffre/Red Star Yeast Company |
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| Ron Lucchesi, Gonnella Frozen Products; Len and Jesse Amoroso, Amoroso Baking Company | Jerry and Melody Degnan, Manildra Group USA; and Amy and Fred Penny, Bimbo Bakeries USA |
The American Bakers Association (ABA) hosted its annual convention in Amelia Island, Fla., last month. More than 225 industry leaders attended, including several new baker participants. Attendance was 6 percent higher than last year's conference.
The theme of the meeting, “Navigating through turbulent times,” reflected current market conditions, emissions cap and trade, the volatile commodity market and skyrocketing healthcare costs, as well as other pertinent issues affecting the baking industry.
Speakers, such as Ira Magaziner, Alliance for a Healthier Nation, engaged attendees on topics material to the baking industry, such as ways in which bakers can address nutrition. And, James Bower, Bower Trading Inc., provided strategies for managing commodity risks.
Attendees, from bakers to industry suppliers to retailers and beyond, had many opportunities to network with one another. ABA encouraged everyone to pull together to come up with common solutions for the baking industry.
ABA looks forward to next year's convention, which will be held March 14-17, at the Boca Raton Resort & Club, Boca Raton, Fla.