How to Prepare to Exhibit at International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) 2026: A Guide for Exhibitors

If you’re in the grain-based food industry, there’s no better place to showcase your brand and build new relationships than the International Baking Industry Exposition. As the industry’s largest and most important trade event in the Western Hemisphere, IBIE brings together the best minds to experience the newest innovations, network, and participate in cutting-edge conference sessions.

About the International Baking Industry Exposition 2028

The International Baking Industry Exposition, or IBIE, is a nonprofit event produced by the International Baking Industry Exposition, LLC, and supported by the American Bakers Association (ABA), the Retail Bakers of America (RBA), and the Bakery Equipment Manufacturers and Allieds (BEMA). Founded in 1920 by ABA and BEMA, IBIE serves as a vital platform for connecting bakers with vendors and providing opportunities for knowledge exchange and innovation. All proceeds benefit the grain-based food industry.

IBIE follows a triennial schedule, meaning it takes place once every three years. IBIE 2025 was the largest show in the event’s 105-year history, featuring 1,005 exhibitors and drawing attendees from 96 countries.

IBIE 2028 will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, from September 9-13, 2028. The main Expo Hall will utilize the North and West Halls of the LVCC, with specific daily hours to be announced closer to the event date.

Why Exhibit at IBIE 2028?

Each triennial event brings over 20,000 professionals from every aspect of the baking industry together to form new relationships and create opportunities for their business. Remarkably, 32% of these attendees only make time for IBIE and not other trade events, making this your one chance to get in front of them.

At IBIE, you’ll meet with key decision-makers from companies worldwide. The majority of attendees (91%) are in positions to approve or recommend purchases and represent significant buying power, with 23% enjoying purchasing budgets over one million dollars.

IBIE also brings industry professionals from approximately 100 countries, accounting for nearly 30% of total attendees. This offers large-scale growth opportunities and the chance to get your brand in front of a global audience.

Preparing to Exhibit at International Baking Industry Exposition 2028

Whether you’re a veteran of the industry or attending IBIE for the first time, preparing for a trade show can be challenging. From pre-show planning to the trade booth display, many moving pieces need to come together for a successful experience.

Here are essential tips to help you make the most of IBIE 2028:

1. Start planning early: Based on past shows, exhibitor space applications for IBIE 2028 are expected to open in 2026 or early 2027, approximately 18 months before the event. Priority selection phases for ABA, BEMA, and RBA members will be available, with general space sales following on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. Understand the all-in-one pricing: IBIE continues to feature an all-in-one pricing model that includes your exhibit space, unlimited material handling, complimentary lead retrieval, and exhibitor badges. This helps with budgeting and eliminates unexpected costs.
3. Generate leads before you arrive: Reach out weeks prior to the event using the Exhibitor Marketing Toolkit provided by IBIE. Personalized invitations with your unique 20% discount code (EXH + Your Booth Number) can drive traffic to your booth.
4. Schedule appointments: Set up meetings with leads and business contacts in advance to ensure you can fit them into your busy show schedule.
5. Be strategic with your networking: Be assertive but courteous. Consider collaborating with complementary vendors to expand your reach and build partnerships.
6. Take advantage of educational opportunities: All exhibitor badges include complimentary access to IBIEducate sessions, offering valuable professional development for your team across topics ranging from management and marketing to bakery science.
7. Promote your presence before, during, and after: Use the promotional materials provided in the Exhibitor Marketing Toolkit, including social media graphics, press release templates, and email signatures.
8. Book official accommodations: Use onPeak, the official housing partner, to secure discounted rates. If you get at least 75% of your booth staff to book through onPeak, you’ll receive 3 additional priority points for booth selection at the next IBIE (2031).

Create a Booth That Stands Out

With so many exhibitors and attendees, your booth needs to stand out from the crowd. Use your company’s colors to distinguish your booth from neighbors, avoid visual clutter, and ensure you have large, legible graphics that can be seen clearly from across the exhibit hall.

Consider these additional strategies:

• Design for impact and compliance: Create a visually appealing booth while strictly adhering to IBIE booth construction rules regarding height, sightlines, and finished surfaces. For example, inline booths can have back walls up to 8 feet high, but structures within 10 feet of neighboring booths must stay at 4 feet or below to preserve sightlines.
• Plan effective demonstrations: Use presentation boards, binders, slideshows, or videos to showcase your products and catch the interest of passing attendees.
• Staff strategically: Ensure your booth is adequately staffed with knowledgeable team members trained on products, messaging, and lead capture systems.
• Capture leads efficiently: Master the complimentary lead retrieval system provided with your booth package to collect valuable prospect information. IBIE provides the Maritz Global Events SWAP system, which allows you to scan attendee badges and instantly capture contact information.
• Follow up promptly: Have a clear plan for personalized follow-up with all captured leads after the show closes.

Create a Showstopping Experience With Xibit Solutions

If you’re planning to attend IBIE 2028 in Las Vegas, you’ll need a showstopping booth experience from start to finish. At Xibit Solutions, we have over 20 years of experience bringing business owners’ visions to life with custom trade show exhibits that demand attention and attract thousands of attendees.

We’ll work closely with you to craft a booth layout, graphics, and aesthetic look that perfectly communicates your brand and helps your trade show booth experience run smoothly. Our comprehensive approach includes:

• Expert design team bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas
• In-house production to maintain quality control and cost-effectiveness
• Efficient shipping to the Las Vegas Convention Center
• Professional setup using trade show-approved union laborers
• Post-show dismantling and support

As a Las Vegas-based company, we have a home-court advantage for shows at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Our local presence means quick response times, relationships with local union halls and labor, and the ability to handle any last-minute needs that arise during your show.

Exhibiting at IBIE 2028 is an opportunity your business can’t afford to miss, so let us take the stress out of the equation and make your trade show presence spectacular! Contact us today to learn more about our customized trade booth design services and see what we can do for you.

Maximize Your Investment at IBIE 2028

Success at IBIE requires strategic planning and execution:

• Review the Exhibitor Services Manual (ESM) when it becomes available (expected in 2027) for all detailed logistical information, rules, and deadlines for ordering essential services.
• Consider sponsorship opportunities to increase your visibility beyond your booth space. Past shows have offered options ranging from high-impact branding like show bags ($17,500) and badge lanyards ($20,000) to education session sponsorships and digital signage opportunities.
• Participate in show features like the Innovation Showcase to highlight new products and the BEST in Baking Awards to gain recognition for excellence in categories like Sustainability, Sanitation, Plant Efficiency, Workforce Development, and Automation & Robotics.
• Prepare for move-in/out logistics: Move-in dates will be announced closer to the event and will typically occur in the three days immediately before the show opens. Plan ahead for freight handling, union labor coordination, and equipment setup.

IBIE 2028 represents a critical gathering for the global grain-based food industry. By approaching participation with strategic planning and a focus on delivering value to a highly motivated audience, exhibitors can effectively leverage this powerful platform to achieve significant business objectives.

Request a quote from Xibit Solutions today, and let our experienced team help you create a memorable trade show exhibit that perfectly represents your brand at IBIE 2028.