Variety is the theme of BEMA’s 2010 Winter Summit, with diverse sessions aimed at bolstering business. The Summit will be held Feb. 27-28 at the Chicago Marriot Downtown.

The Business IQ luncheon on Saturday, Feb. 27, will focus on a white-hot trend: marketing using social media. “Social media are here to stay,” said Kerwin Brown, BEMA president and C.E.O. “We want our members to have the knowledge they need to make the best use of them.”

BEMA’s luncheon keynote speaker is entrepreneur Bill Rancic, who won the first season of Donald Trump’s popular television show The Apprentice. The successful author and reality show star will speak at the luncheon on Sunday, Feb. 28.

A panel of bakers will be on hand for a diverse set of educational sessions, also to be held Sunday. Willie Zimberoff, president, Z Baking, will discuss artisan baking; George Poulos, vice president of manufacturing, Alpha Baking Co. Inc., will address specialty baking; and Dave Van Laar, president and C.E.O., Oak State Products, will cover contract production.

“We wanted the customer panel to reflect diverse market segments so that our members are exposed to opportunities that might exist for them across the country,” explained Mark Ungashick, BEMA chairman. “Each of the businesses has a unique story that defines their product and market.”

For a full schedule of events or to register for the 2010 Summit, visit www.BEMA.org.