The iba has confirmed a three-day online networking event for March to kick-start this year’s iba International Bakery and Confectionery Showcase being staged in Munich, Germany, in October.

According to organisers, the online event – iba.Connecting Experts – will provide 72 hours of preview content ahead of the key sector trade fair, and will offer a valuable opportunity to highlight some of the major trends and developments across the two key industries.

The event will serve as a global meeting place, and is primarily aimed at the baking industry with an emphasis on the process and packaging technology. The focus will be on lead generation, knowledge transfer, product presentations, and networking. Exhibitors will present their new products virtually and via direct interaction, as well as maintaining and expanding business relationships.

Event director Cathleen Kabashi said, “We are constantly in contact with our customers, and we are aware of the strong need for exchange and the necessity of reliable, successful discussion platforms. Numerous innovations have emerged; the industry has adapted, and – as a result of the current situation – come up with new ideas for itself. The new format will gather international industry experts in March, setting the course for customer interaction and leads that can network at the first industry meeting point of the year. It will satisfy their pent-up demand digitally and securely.”

Devised in response to the ongoing pandemic, the virtual event will be staged from March 15-17, ahead of iba’s anticipated return from October 24-28, 2021 at Fairground Munich.

Right now, being digital is the one thing that connects us all and makes it possible for everybody to communicate. Personal business contacts and consulting, product demonstrations as well as the atmosphere and opportunities that arise when an entire industry comes together live, will be on the table once again at iba 2021.

“I cannot download such an experience with all its senses and emotions, but right now we can create a space for contacts to be made. This will have the chance to develop in the build-up to the on-site event,’ said Ms Kabashi.