RBA Roadshow Chicago: People, Purpose, and Building a Bakery Team That Lasts
Sponsored by RATIONAL USA
The Retail Bakers of America is hitting the road! Join us in Chicago, IL for a two-day event at the intersection of craft and culture — exploring what it takes to recruit, retain, and inspire the next generation of baking professionals. Whether you're a bakery owner, manager, or working professional, this event is built for you.
Event Highlights
Educational Programming at RATIONAL USA (Monday, June 15)
- Spend the day at RATIONAL USA's facility in Rolling Meadows, IL for a full day of programming on employee recruitment, retention, and workplace culture — including expert-led sessions, live baking demos, and dedicated time to connect with fellow bakery owners and professionals. Breakfast and lunch are provided.
Exclusive Chicago Bakery Tours (Tuesday, June 16)
- Get behind the scenes at three of Chicago's celebrated bakeries, including Publican Quality Bread and Verzenay. Walk the production floor, talk shop with the people running these operations, and see firsthand how leading bakeries are building teams and cultures worth learning from.
Vendor Networking
- Connect with suppliers and industry partners throughout both days.
Pricing
- RBA Members: $175
- Non-Members: $250
Breakfast and lunch are included on Day 1. Pricing reflects registration for both days.
Featured Speaker
Heidi Hedeker
An instructor at Kendall College and researcher in community psychology, Heidi Hedeker studies the relationship between bakeries and the communities they serve. Her session, "Engaging NextGen Employees through Intrapreneurship," examines the incoming workforce — ages 14 to 29 — as the first truly digital-native generation. Value-driven and entrepreneurially minded, these employees want purpose, growth, and the chance to contribute something meaningful. Heidi will draw on real examples from bakeries that have built cultures of innovation and employee ownership, and help attendees think through how to balance business needs with a workplace that keeps good people around.
This event is limited to 30 attendees. Register to secure your spot today
Click "More information" below to register.