With numerous interactions, inspirations and innovations, the trade fair delighted the participants at the end of October. Over 1,000 exhibitors from 46 countries showcased their product diversity in ten halls. 57,000 visitors from 150 countries countries streamed through the aisles over five days to discover the latest trends from from all over the world.
Full halls, purposeful discussions, a reunion with existing customers at last, a long-awaited exchange of knowledge at the highest level, outstanding competitions, new contacts and a great atmosphere – that was iba 2023. Visitors got answers to the questions about which topics are driving the market and how to find the right partners and solutions. From 22nd to 26th October, the focus was on the world's latest innovations in the baking industry. "iba sets national and international standards for the baking industry and is a trendsetter and source of inspiration. We successfully proved this again in 2023: Nowhere else is such a depth of products and variety of innovations visible. This is also reflected in the phenomenal number of decision-makers at the trade fair," says Dieter Dohr, Chairman of the Management Board of GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH.
The exhibitors at iba 2023 presented visitors with the full spectrum of digitalisation – from specific practical examples that can already be implemented in shops today to options for the future. "From vision to realisation – our aim was to offer 'hands-on digitalisation'. We ensured this through the focus topic and product range, but also through the new area: our iba.digitalisation area, where the topic could be experienced," says Susann Seidemann, Head of iba.
Visitor highlights also included the iba.Academy, the iba BackStage young talent days, the iba.Confectionery Tec Area, the company tours and the iba.Tours.
Crowds of people kept forming in front of the stages. In addition to competitions and live demonstrations, iba stands for professional exchange. Three stages, lots of experts and 70 hours of knowledge transfer: In the iba.Forum, the iba.Speakers Area and the iba.Start Up Area everything revolves around the topics of crafts, food trends, digitalization and, above all, sustainability. From best practices to panel discussions – here visitors were able to listen to industry-specific lectures and discuss the respective topics.
There is no need to wait another five years until the next iba. A change of location will then take place in Düsseldorf in 2025: The baking industry meeting on the Rhine will take place from May 18th to 22nd, 2025.
