General John Abizaid, USA (Ret.) speaks at the Allied Trades of the Baking Industry breakfast

The Amercian Bakers Association (ABA) held its annual convention at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix earlier this month.

Bakers, retailers and allied members gathered to hear speakers discuss leadership, trends in the retail makert, consumer buying behavior and the current commodity crisis that is having such a tremendous impact on the baking industry. ABA also conducted several business meetings in conjuction with the convention, during which Ron Turano, Turano Baking Co. and ABA chairman, passed the gavel to Chip Klosterman, Klosterman Baking Co., incoming ABA chairman.

Attendees had several opportunities to network and converse about the the state of the baking industry, how commodity prices are affecting their business and the course of action bakers and allied companies can take to alleviate the current crisis.