Georg Heberer, Wiener Feinbäckerei, was elected the new AIBI president at the organization’s Congress held in Bled, Slovenia from June 16 to 18. More than 100 representatives from the association’s member countries attended the in-person event, which was postponed from its initial date due to pandemic restrictions.

Jean-Manuel Leveque, Chairman of NOVEPAN (France), was elected as the first deputy president. Armin Juncker, General Manager of the Association of German Bakeries, remains AIBI Treasurer.

The theme of the Congress was “Resilient and sustainable bakery”. The consequences of the pandemic were analyzed and recovery strategies. The impact of the EU’s planned Green Deal on the baking industry was another topic with a dedicated session, titled ‘Sustainability at the core of political developments and mega trends’. Current and upcoming disruptions were explored, as well as ways to navigate them (e.g., food security, improved logistics, digital tools).

The lectures on new technologies gave a glimpse into the future. The panel discussion with Robb MacKie, President and CEO of the American Bakers Association, focused on international cooperation between the European Union and North America.

The next AIBI Congress will take place in Germany in 2024.

Photo: AIBI