The Retail Bakers of America (RBA) has become a new strategic partner of the triennial IBIE, alongside the American Bakers Association (ABA) and BEMA, making the theme for the 2010 International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE), Where the Industry Unites, especially fitting. As part of the agreement, RBA will not hold the American Retail Bakery Exposition in 2010, but will hold it during non-IBIE years.
Partnership talks began as the result of a planning session in 2008, where the IBIE committee examined opportunities to unify the baking industry and strengthen its show through alliances with related exhibitions.
While definitive details of the agreement are being finalized, RBA exhibitors will be placed on the IBIE show floor, rather than in a separate hall or pavilion. RBA will continue to provide demos and education on the show floor and a targeted marketing campaign will be used to attract more retail bakers to the show.