Full Technical Conference Photo Gallery
A theme of teamwork flowed throughout the Technical Conference and reinforced industry collaboration to solve problems. ABA Chair Erin Sharp, Group Vice President, Manufacturing, The Kroger Co., keynoted the 2018 Technical Conference. “We are only as good as the teams we build,” said Sharp. “Associates are developed and empowered and from that; leaders emerge.”
Motivational speaker Randy Fox, reinforced “the power of the team” messaging, encouraging attendees to help each other win. “When we help each other win, the team wins,” said Fox. “We are better together than on our own. As a team, we can transform others and the world.”
He listed nine elements to apply when working together “in the spirit of cooperation” and to always “plan with all elements woven into it.” “This is how great teams sustain victory,” he said.
- Destination
- Evaluation
- Reorganization
- Administration
- Delegation
- Cooperation
- Continuation
- Innovation
- Motivation
The new collaborative learning format, IncuBAKER, delivered an interactive audience experience and demonstrated that working in teams leads to great ideas and solutions because, together, the right questions are being asked. The message is clear: we are better as a team than on our own.
In addition to 15 strong educational breakouts that educated professionals in every area of a baking facility, attendees engaged in a Hands-On Training session. The training allowed participants to test baking variables, troubleshoot common baking challenges and hone their technical skills in an environment where trail-and-error is the key to learning. Baking their way through manufacturing processes, attendees added skills to their professional toolkit to take back to the plant and implement knowledge for greater success.
There’s power in education but also in networking. Numerous networking opportunities were sprinkled throughout the conference. The Indianapolis Artsgarden hosted an evening event, while plenty of coffee breaks and receptions allowed for conversation and idea-swaps.
Last but not least, the Indianapolis Bakery Tour rounded out the Technical Conference. It offered attendees, particularly suppliers, the opportunity to gain a glimpse into a functioning bakery operation. Being immersed in a bakery environment allowed suppliers to see and understand the processes and systems of manufacturing to become aligned with the bakers they serve.
#ABATechCon By the Numbers from 2017:
Increased number of companies
Increased number of attendees
40% increase in number of bakers
8 Kansas State University students
Save the date for October 20-23, 2019 in Atlanta, Ga.!
