How is the WBA organized?

Who are WBA members?

How are bakery operators and the allied linked?

What are the benefits of a WBA membership?

"A trade association is an organization voluntarily created by men confronted with common economic problems for the purpose of developing collective thought, group action and maximum cooperation toward the solution of the problems in their respective industries." —Author Unknown

How is the WBA organized?

The WBA has an elected Board of Directors, which represents bakers from all areas of

Wisconsin and Upper Michigan.  The Board was restructured for the 2007-2008 term to include the executive committee, directors at-large and the past president (the Board was formerly organized as a Board of Governors representing five districts).

The Board sets forth the objectives of the association.  Working closely with the WBA’s Board of Directors, the executive director implements these objectives and coordinates the association’s activities.

For reference, the five districts that make up the area the Association covers are as follows.  If you are a member of the WBA, you are more than welcome to contact any member of the Board at any time with questions or concerns that may arise!  Click here for the board member list.
If you are interested in serving on the Board, contact the WBA Member Services Center!
 

Who are WBA members?

Organized in 1905, the Wisconsin Bakers Association is made up of retail and small wholesale bakeries, multi-unit operations, supermarket bakeries, and specialty shops.  There are also special categories of membership for those who are in the allied trades, for students, and associate members. 
Join us in growing the WBA network. 

Check out the list of the most recent members to join the WBA!

The WBA is closely affiliated with The Retail Bakers of America, a national association of bakery operators with headquarters in Louisiana.  We also work with other bakery affiliates and industry sources to bring our members the latest news to affect their business.

What are the benefits of WBA Membership?

** Weekly E-Newsletter - The Baking Buzz with the latest up-to-date information of the baking industry
** Member publication "Beyond Baking"
** Group business insurance - West Bend Mutual Insurance

** Member rates for WBA events such as workshops, business conferences, conventions, tradeshows, and annual dinner.

** Bakers Forum — meet other bakers at locations throughout the state (as these events are organized, additional information is sent to the membership)

** Bakery Operation of the Year Award:  As a member, you are eligible to be nominated for the WBA Bakery Operation of the Year (BOY) Award.  Click for more info about the BOY Award.

** Legislative Directory - key information to all of your government representatives, both federal and state

** Scholarship Programs - the WBA Scholarship and the R.W. Hiller National Scholarship

** Visibility -WBA members are aware of those allied firms that support the association through participation in golf outings, workshops, business conferences and conventions, as well as through "Beyond Baking" advertising support and contributions to WBA scholarship funds.

** Credit Card Program offers no monthly service fees, no application fees, and no reprogramming fees!  Members can lease or purchase equipment or if they have up-to-date equipment already, an EMPS representative will reprogram the equipment for free.  Supplies for your credit card machine, such as paper and inkjet cartridges, are free as well (you only have to cover the shipping and handling charges).

** Membership directory  An easy way to find fellow members' locations.

** Banking services through Associated Bank's statewide network.

** Educational Programs

Audio/visual library access

**Information about developments in the baking industry as it happens

Alerting members to federal and state legislative matters affecting them through the legislative connections with the Wisconsin Taxpayer Alliance, Independent Business Association of Wisconsin and many other sources.  These alerts help keep you information to assist you in creating a profitable business.

All of this for just 27 cents a day!

At this price, you can't afford not to be a member!

Tell your fellow bakers and help us grow!

The WBA Serves as a Valuable Link Between Bakery Operators & the Allied Traders

The Wisconsin Bakers Association serves as the catalyst for bringing bakers and those in the allied trades together through special events such as workshops, business conferences, conventions,
and events to increase public awareness.

These events enable the allied to talk one-on-one with many bakers in one or two days – an efficient, cost-effective way to reach current and potential customers.

The bakery operator’s point of view and concerns are also brought to the attention of the allied through WBA correspondence and the "Beyond Baking" newsletter. 
 

Both the allied and bakery operators share some of these concerns, such as OSHA’s ergonomics regulations.  Other shared concerns include labeling, food safety, and equipment standards.

The association works with other organizations such as The Retail Bakers of America, American Bakers Association, the Independent Business Association, and the Small Business Administration
on legislative issues affecting the industry.  The allied can join us in these efforts.

Interested in joining as an allied member?  Click here!

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