First iba summit for the baking industry

February 15, 2012, Berlin – The first ever iba summit will provide a dialogue for the global baking industry.

The main focuses of the new summit will be world nutrition and trends in the international baking industry. The summit is being held under the patronage of the Germany's federal minister for food, agriculture and consumer protection, Ilse Aigner, who will also give the closing address.

The iba summit is being organized by the Zentralverband des Deutschen Bäckerhandwerks (German Bakers' Confederation). The one-day event will take place Sept. 15, the day before the start of the iba trade fair for the baking and confectionery industry.

The program, which will be simultaneously interpreted in English, includes everything from lectures to debates and the presentation of practical case studies. The range of speakers is as varied as the subject matters covered.

The keynote address will be delivered by John Dalli, European Union (EU) Commissioner for Health and Consumer Protection.

In addition, Prof. Klaus Töpfer, vice-president of the charity Welthungerhilfe, will speak about sustainable strategies in the fight against hunger, poverty and the destruction of the environment against a backdrop of a rising global population.

A talk by Prof. Hans-Werner Sinn, president of the Ifo Institute for Economic Research, will deal with the effects of the financial crisis on the industry and the risks of uncontrolled speculation with food prices.

The moderator for the summit will be Prof. Hannelore Daniel, the director of the Research Centre for Nutrition and Food Sciences at the Technical University of Munich.

“Advancing knowledge through information that encourages us to think outside the box: that is the aim of the iba summit. The summit will highlight the issues for the future. It is guaranteed to be 100 per cent up to date, as content will be revised together with the speakers, right up until shortly before Sept. 15," said Peter Becker, president of the German Bakers' Confederation. "The variety of topics reflects the scope of our dynamic industry. Every baker and confectioner is sure to find something to interest them in the program of talks. I am convinced that the iba summit will provide the right answers to future challenges – that is the most important thing for us as organizers.”

“A further advantage of the event is that it provides participants with sufficient time for networking and personal discussions. The iba summit is the place for global dialogue and discussion for bakers and confectioners.”

Entry tickets to the iba summit cost EUR 750. This price covers the participation fee, summit catering, the iba 2012 opening gala and a full entry ticket to the iba trade fair. For more information, visit www.iba.de/summit.