WASHINGTON — Erin Sharp, group vice-president, manufacturing, The Kroger Co., will be a keynote speaker at the 2018 technical conference of the American Bakers Association. The meeting will be held Oct. 28-31 at the Hyatt Regency Indianapolis.

Ms. Sharp, who is A.B.A. chair, will be joined on the program by Sally Lyons Wyatt, executive vice-president and practice leader, Clear Insights, Information Resources, Inc. Ms. Sharp will share ways to enhance employee engagement and leadership within a food manufacturing company. Ms. Lyons Wyatt will discuss the role lifestyle plays in consumer decisions of bakery items and factors that prompt consumers to spend more money on certain bakery products than others. She also will discuss the state of store brands in the bakery aisle and compare how retailer brands perform compared to national brands.

The conference, which is designed for cookie and cracker manufacturers as well as bakers, will feature 15 breakout sessions.

“This isn’t just a conference; it’s where the leading cookie and cracker manufacturing professionals and suppliers come together to improve their skill sets and learn how to operate more effectively,” said Bill Quigg, a member of the A.B.A. executive committee and president of Richmond Baking, Richmond, Ind. “Members of our team have been attending for years, and the value and content that the technical conference delivers is outstanding. It’s the most comprehensive training conference available to manufacturing professionals in the baking industry, while also enhancing professional networks and connections.”