Fresh approach from the Upper Midwest Bakery Association
Association holds its annual convention
There was an outstanding turn out for the annual Upper Midwest Bakery Association (UMBA) Convention Feb.28 and March 1. More than 600 attended the show from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois. There were more than 100 walk-ins on the opening day. The staff members from the Retail Bakers of America (RBA) were guests for this year’s event.
The warmth of spring was not present, but there were no snow storms. Despite the economic downturn, people in the baking industry gathered to share their stories and enjoy one another. As the theme proposed they were looking for “fresh approaches” to face the future.
The floor space was bustling with enthusiasm. Vendors representing equipment companies, distributors of bakery food products and cake decorating suppliers were there. Prizes of all kinds were given to participants. Cakes and baked goods arrived with delight as children frolicked around.
The Deco Cake Contest is a highlight of this show. There were 30 tables filled with beautiful cakes for the “Decorated Cake and Sugar Art Contest.” The categories were Fondant Wedding Cakes, Novelty/Specialty Cakes and Butter Cream Wedding Cakes.
The American Expo Challenge included eight decorators. Darla Julian from Fantasies in Frosting, Moorhead, Minn. will represent UMBA in the national competition at the RBA Convention in Charlotte, N.C. in October.
Other show notes include three decorators taking the RBA test to be recognized as Certified Cake Decorators and 40 entries in the “Best of Show – Baked Foods Contest.” There were two categories for the contest: The Upper Midwest’s Best Cinnamon Roll and Individual Desserts. This contest gets bigger each year!
The 10 educational sessions were well attended. There were two tracks of workshops. The cake decorating track addressed Hands on Fondant, Cake Sculpted Purses and Wedding Cake Ideas to name a few. The business track included workshops on Approaches to Flour Trends in the Twenty First Century, Going Green – Use of Technology, and One Dough – Many Breads. Ron Jones from Dawn Food Products at the General Session addressed building a business and the historical development of the bakery industry with reference to the present business climate.
Saturday evening started with a great social sponsored in part by the vendors. The banquet hall was filled with 300 people, many of whom stayed to dance the night away. Three individuals were inducted into the UMBA Hall of Fame: Pete Fendt, Quality Bakery, Fargo, N.D.; Independent Baker Allen Kettwich, Coborns Supermarket; and Ron Jones from Dawn Food Products, Manufacturing.
As in past years this show is known for being “Family Friendly” and this year was no exception. There was a booth filled with activities for children and in the evening there was a party for them with activities and pizza. It was a delight to see someone like 14-year-old Grant, Dexter Larson’s grandson, stand up loud and clear and state that he is “interested in the show because he wants to be a baker someday.” The youth of today are our future!
Next year’s show in 2010 will make the 90th year for this convention. Look for the date to be announced.