ABA Convention Targets Policy Puzzles, Day-to-Day Challenges

Annual gathering aims to deliver relevant, useful content to keep bakery professionals engaged

Mar. 13, 2026 at 5:41am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The 2026 American Bakers Association (ABA) Convention, scheduled for April 19-23 in Colorado Springs, is designed to deliver impactful programming that helps build leadership skills and strengthen the commercial baking industry. The event is expected to welcome over 550 attendees, including more than 130 first-time participants, and will feature a lineup of speakers covering topics like the global economy, AI-driven innovation, and high-performance leadership. In addition to the main business sessions, the Convention will also offer expanded networking opportunities and a range of social activities.

Why it matters

The ABA Convention is the premier annual event for the commercial baking industry, providing a platform for executives to deepen relationships, gain actionable insights, and help propel the industry and their businesses forward. The 2026 edition aims to equip attendees with the clarity, strategy, and leadership skills needed to navigate the rapidly evolving policy landscape and marketplace forces shaping the future of the baking sector.

The details

The 2026 ABA Convention will feature a range of educational content, including sessions focused on helping attendees understand and navigate the regulatory and legislative issues impacting their businesses. This includes Gist Breakfasts providing updates on emerging policy trends, state-level developments, and federal activity, as well as sessions led by the ABA's Government Relations team on trade agreements and federal nutrition policy changes. The business program will also include a featured session on new consumer insights and trend analysis from the latest Bakery Playbook research.

  • The 2026 ABA Convention is scheduled for April 19-23 in Colorado Springs.
  • The NextGenBaker Brunch, sponsored by Mecatherm, will take place on April 20 at 11 am.
  • The Golf Tournament, the first of two tournaments at the Convention, will be held on April 19 at 8 am.
  • The Garden of the Gods Guided Hike is scheduled for April 19 at 8:30 am.
  • The Pickleball 101 Clinic will take place on April 19 at 10:30 am.

The players

Samantha Moore

Senior director of events and programming for the American Bakers Association.

Bill Quigg

ABA board of directors chair and president and CEO of Richmond Baking Co.

Pippa O'Shea

Senior manager, events and programming at the American Bakers Association.

Jorge Rosas

CEO of business and HR consultancy WeWow USA, and the keynote speaker for the NextGenBaker Brunch.

Anne-Marie Roerink

Principal and owner of 210 Analytics, who will lead a featured session on new consumer insights and trend analysis from ABA's latest Bakery Playbook research.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“With strong annual return rates, it's clear that once participants experience the value of the ABA Convention, they continue to come back and help propel the industry forward.”

— Samantha Moore, Senior director of events and programming for the American Bakers Association

“The content is forward-looking, practical, and designed specifically for executives who are navigating rapid change. From global economic forces and AI to leadership under pressure and policy realities, the programming meets leaders where they are and gives them tools they can actually use.”

— Bill Quigg, ABA board of directors chair and president and CEO of Richmond Baking Co.

“Together, these sessions equip attendees with the intelligence, context, and advocacy insights needed to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving environment and to understand how ABA is working to protect and advance the industry's interests.”

— Pippa O'Shea, Senior manager, events and programming at the American Bakers Association

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The 2026 ABA Convention will provide bakery industry leaders with the strategic insights, policy intelligence, and leadership development needed to navigate the complex and rapidly evolving business environment, helping them make smarter decisions and drive their companies and the industry forward.