The 2025 Australian Society of Baking (ASB) annual conference has been hailed a success.

On October 14 and 15 more than 100 guests headed to Sofitel Broadbeach on Queensland’s Gold Coast to take part in the event, which included a conference and innovation showcase. There was also a hugely popular scholarship toast, which served to celebrate the Australian Bakery Scholarships (ABINSA) regional winners.

The conference saw six industry experts take to the stage for in-depth sessions that included consumer trends, hygiene, fibre and protein, textures, milling, and NPD insights by industry experts.

Wrapping up the two-day event was the  ASB Chairman’s Dinner, which included the announcement of the Arthur E Denison Trophy and Sydney J Packham Baking Industry Medal winners. Ruwan Colombage and Carla Penza were named as the national winners, and presented with their trophies as well as a prize that includes a five-day training course held at the San Francisco Baking Institute in the US.

ASB Conference Committee Chairman Imran Ibrahim said the annual event had been fantastic, with glowing feedback from attendees.

“Feedback included ‘very good presentations’, ‘plenty of time to network’, and ‘bringing the industry together and supporting young people in baking’,” he said.