An official partnership with Atlantic City Bakery Expo and new baker education programs are top priorities for Retail Bakers of America President Ed Fraser, CMB, Kelso, Wash., who was tapped last month during RBA’s board meeting in Seattle. The board announced new formats for its bakery convention and exposition events beginning in the fall of 2006. Through agreements with the New York State Association of Retail Bakers and the New Jersey Bakers Board of Trade, RBA is merging its Marketplace show with the Atlantic City Bakery Expo beginning in 2006 and will continue as a combined fall show in Atlantic City during every even year. In the fall of 2007 and the odd years following, RBA will partner with a newly-formed Western Bakery Expo in a city yet to announced.

“Retail bakers tell us in survey after survey that the value of trade shows is networking with peers and suppliers, sharpening their skills and learning new ideas to improve business,” Fraser said. “These exciting new partnerships will enable RBA to help bring the industry together as one, while serving a new role focused on the educational, training and certification programs upon which members have come to rely.”

The new format is a departure from RBA’s long-running Marketplace in that the shows will be held in the fall, rather than the spring. RBA also is looking to keep its trade shows in the same East and West cities, rather than change locations annually.

An official partnership with Atlantic City Bakery Expo and new baker education programs are top priorities for Retail Bakers of America President Ed Fraser, CMB, Kelso, Wash., who was tapped last month during RBA’s board meeting in Seattle. The board announced new formats for its bakery convention and exposition events beginning in the fall of 2006. Through agreements with the New York State Association of Retail Bakers and the New Jersey Bakers Board of Trade, RBA is merging its Marketplace show with the Atlantic City Bakery Expo beginning in 2006 and will continue as a combined fall show in Atlantic City during every even year. In the fall of 2007 and the odd years following, RBA will partner with a newly-formed Western Bakery Expo in a city yet to announced.

“Retail bakers tell us in survey after survey that the value of trade shows is networking with peers and suppliers, sharpening their skills and learning new ideas to improve business,” Fraser said. “These exciting new partnerships will enable RBA to help bring the industry together as one, while serving a new role focused on the educational, training and certification programs upon which members have come to rely.”

The new format is a departure from RBA’s long-running Marketplace in that the shows will be held in the fall, rather than the spring. RBA also is looking to keep its trade shows in the same East and West cities, rather than change locations annually.