While eight months may seem too far down the road to start preparing now, Baking Expo 2013 will be here before you know it. The International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) 2013 will take place Oct. 6-9 at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC). If you want to know exactly how long, to the second, until the show opens, check out the countdown clock at www.ibie2013.com. Registration for the show opens this month, and if you’re planning to attend, go ahead and sign up while at the website.

Expected to bring the entire professional baking community together in record numbers, IBIE 2013’s theme is All Together Now. Jointly sponsored by the American Bakers Association, BEMA and the Retail Bakers of America, the event also is supported by other industry groups including AIB International, the Tortilla Industry Association and the Bread Bakers Guild of America.

Companies planning to exhibit at the show got a jumpstart on marketing and logistics for the event at an exhibitor’s meeting held at LVCC earlier this month. Representatives from Marketing Design Group (MDG) will talk with exhibitors about plans for marketing their booths at the BEMA Winter Summit March 2-3 at the Chicago Marriott Downtown. Exhibit space reservations for the Baking Expo continue to outpace the previous record-setting IBIE in 2010, according to trade show organizers.

Sosland Publishing Co., Kansas City, MO, will once again join ­forces with IBIE as the Official Media Provider for the 2013 event. It will provide in-book and online ­promotional opportunities, support for targeted marketing activities and educational programming. For the event, Sosland will produce the IBIE Official Show Directory, show dailies and a mobile app as well as managing all sales and advertising for the IBIE 2013 website. For more information about advertising opportunities, contact Paul Lattan at plattan@sosland.com or call (816) 756-1000.

“IBIE selected Sosland Publishing Co. due to its reputation in the grain-based food industry as a go-to resource for the latest industry news and trends,” said Mike Beaty, executive vice-president of Flowers Foods, Thomasville, GA, and IBIE Committee chair. Sosland’s portfolio of media comprises print and online magazines — including Baking & Snack, Food Business News, bake, InStore Buyer, Milling & Baking News, Panadería, BakingBusiness.com, BakeMag.com, FoodBusinessNews.net, insider industry reports and company directories — giving IBIE access to international and domestic markets in the grain-based food industry.

With more than 700 exhibitors and 500,000 sq ft of exhibit space, IBIE serves as a one-stop shop for finding the latest in bakery equipment, ingredients and services. Accordingly, it has earned its reputation as a show where bakers not only come to see the latest and greatest, but also to buy. “Attendees are able to shop and compare all of their ­options at once,” said Kerwin Brown, BEMA CEO and president.

IBIE conducted research following IBIE 2010, and it found that 84% of attendees either placed ­orders at the show or purchased as a result of attending. Also, 86% of those who bought placed orders with new vendors.

Because IBIE takes place only once every three years, equipment manufacturers often use it as a place to showcase their newest systems. “Suppliers really try to maximize that and use it to their advantage, so if they are coming out with something new, they really press to make sure they have it there,” Mr. Brown said.

Look for additional coverage on Baking Expo in every issue of Baking & Snack leading up to the event as we assist you with preparing for this triennial show.