If you were stepping onto the exhibit floor of the recent International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE) event as a first-timer, like I was, you might have been overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds. From the brilliant colors of all the baked items on display, to the constant motion of the state-of-the-art equipment in the booths, there was a lot for your eyeballs to take in, all of it fascinating. I had “Pure Imagination” from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory running on my mental playlist (or more precisely, the Smoking Popes’ excellent cover of the tune) much of the time.

However, it wasn’t just the tech and the treats offering an eyeful at IBIE 2025. There were so many amazing fashion statements, many of them inspired by different baked goods and foods, that the aisle of the Las Vegas Convention Center was practically a runway. I thought I was cute with my industry-appropriate earrings (silver pretzels one day, Homer doughnuts another), but I was seriously outdone by the other attendees, presenters, and staff. I snapped pics of many of these and I’m sharing some of my favorites here.

Bringing her A game in the bag department was Christina Donnelly, senior director of industry relations and strategic initiatives with show sponsor American Bakers Association (ABA). Her bedazzled saltines purse was a showstopper, but it was her pretzel bag that really drew my attention (and my jealousy—pretzels are one of my favorite foods). Another attendee had a sparkly purse that looked just like a stick of butter (not a bakery item, but a common recipe ingredient); she was hustling down the aisle and looked like she was on a mission so I just snuck a snap as she hurried by.

• Senior Editor Liz Parker Kuhn suggested The Accidentals, from her home state of Michigan—the acoustic guitar and harmonies soothed my soul immediately (thanks, Liz)
• Senior Art Director Sarah Zagacki offered up Lady Gaga’s newest album Mayhem (solid choice—in true Gaga fashion, it’s all bangers, especially “Abracadabra”), another solid suggestion.
• Group Publisher Doug Peckenpaugh shared his fondness for Side One of George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, saying the songs remind us that “We face continual challenges, but if we remember to keep things in perspective, always with a heart that seeks to give back, everything will work out all right.”

• Senior Editor Liz Parker Kuhn suggested The Accidentals, from her home state of Michigan—the acoustic guitar and harmonies soothed my soul immediately (thanks, Liz)
• Senior Art Director Sarah Zagacki offered up Lady Gaga’s newest album Mayhem (solid choice—in true Gaga fashion, it’s all bangers, especially “Abracadabra”), another solid suggestion.
• Group Publisher Doug shared his fondness for Side One of George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass, saying the songs remind us that “We face continual challenges, but if we remember to keep things in perspective, always with a heart that seeks to give back, everything will work out all right.”

• Work hard: Nathan showed up every danged day to Highland’s facilities, industry events, and wherever else he was needed and gave 100%
• Make connections: Rather than just sticking to the duties of his job description, he made a point to bond with Highland employees at every level, on a professional and personal level
• Build a network: A fixture at scores of industry events (American Society of Baking, American Bakers Association, and others), he didn’t just show up—he connected with producers, suppliers, execs, and people at every level as friends.

If there were awards for the most fashionable exhibitor staff, I would give the Puratos folks a close second place (and an enthusiastic double thumbs up) for their striking red pit-crew jumpsuits. The leaders of the pack, though, were the Corbion team for their shimmering jackets. I am a sucker for anything sequined or purple, and these were both. I tried to sneak a pic of two of their marketing leaders, Ashley Robertson and Sophia Simecka, at the BEST in Baking awards ceremony, but as you can see from the pic here, they totally caught me.

The style statements didn’t stop there. From colorful doughnut-bedecked socks given out at the Vantage booth, to the klompen-shaped Crocs worn by the Niverplast team (a nod to their Dutch heritage), to the utterly charming pizza hat atop another attendee, there were so many fabulous fashions around the show floor, Anna Wintour would have been jealous. All of these fun style statements serve to shine a spotlight on how fun this industry is, and how much everyone in it wants to show their love for baking.

If you missed out on IBIE or didn’t catch all the features of the bonanza event, don’t worry; this issue of Snack Food & Wholesale Bakery has you covered; see the show wrapup here for the highlights. SF&WB