Innovative retail bakery owner Scott Calvert of The Cake Plate & Tootie Pie Co., Austin, Texas, has taken on a new role with the Retail Bakers of America (RBA). His new role as Business Strategies Manager is a reflection of RBA’s deepening investment in IBIE and its broader commitment to elevating retail bakeries within large-scale industry events.

The International Baking Industry Exposition (IBIE), sponsored by the American Bakers Association (ABA), the Baking Equipment Manufacturers and Allieds (BEMA) and the Retail Bakers of America (RBA), is recognized worldwide as the grain-based food industry’s largest, most comprehensive trade event in the Western Hemisphere.

The RBA is continuing to build visibility and momentum by working closely with suppliers and its Allied Members to showcase the power and impact of small, independent bakeries across the country.

"Scott is a natural fit for this role. As a bakery owner himself, he truly understands the intersection between retail, wholesale, and industrial baking,” says Marissa Sertich Velie, RBA Executive Director. “Combined with his past experience as RBA Board President, he brings a really unique perspective that allows him to speak authentically to both our members and our industry partners. He is such a fantastic spokesperson for the RBA and energizing presence!"

IBIE 2025 will be held in Las Vegas, Sept. 13-17, 2025, with a dedicated day of education on Sept. 13. A “working show” where millions of dollars of business is conducted daily, IBIE brings the entire professional baking community together, offering the complete range of equipment, supply, and ingredient solutions and showcasing the newest baking technology—all under one roof. The triennial event also includes 250+ education sessions, demos and workshops.

In addition, the RBA promotes National Bakery Day, which this year is set for Friday, September 26, 2025. #KeepYourDoughLocal #FeedYourKneadForLocal  

The RBA has a long history of supporting and promoting the retail baking industry, and the organization continues to be committed to this mission. As a trade association, RBA plays an important role in connecting buyers and sellers within the industry, and is dedicated to helping baking businesses succeed. By providing support, resources, and networking opportunities, RBA helps bakers stay up to date on the latest trends and developments in the industry, and ultimately help them thrive in a competitive marketplace.

"We’re excited to have Scott leading our strategic efforts as we continue to grow RBA’s reach,” says Marissa Sertich Velie. “Scott’s new role as Business Strategies Manager a part of RBA’s larger goal to building a stronger, more visible presence at major industry events like IBIE. His work bridges the gap between our independent retail bakeries and the broader supply chain, helping amplify the influence of small businesses in that space."

The RBA works with its members to create industry-specific training programs and small business programs. These initiatives can be incredibly valuable to retail bakers, helping them stay current with the latest techniques and best practices, and providing them with the resources they need to run successful businesses.

Creating industry standards through professional certification, industry research, and school programs is also critical to the success of the retail baking industry. By establishing clear standards and best practices, RBA can help ensure that all members are operating at the same high level of quality and professionalism, which can ultimately benefit the entire industry.