Ahmani Peets will become the first person with autism to exhibit and speak at the International Baking Industry Expo.

The three-day event at the Las Vegas Convention Centre, from September 14 to 17, expects to host more than 20,000 baking professionals.

The Bermudian entrepreneur applied over a year ago to become a speaker.

“I shared with the organisation my business success as a vendor,” Mr Peets said. “It was a great experience talking with the organisers of the expo.”

He also listed his many accolades, including this year’s Bermudian Magazine Best of Bermuda award, and his first place in the 2019 Bermuda Economic Development Corporation Rocket Pitch competition in the youth category.

He is also a philanthropist, hosting a kindness award at his old primary school, Francis Patton, in Hamilton Parish.

The business world has not been without its challenges for the 23-year-old.

In the six years since starting Ahmani’s Cookies he has seen the cost of some ingredients increase by more than 100 per cent.

“Every month there are price changes,” he said. “Nothing has gone down. The sugar tax is also too high.”

Despite these challenges his business has gone from strength to strength. He now offers 161 different cookie flavours available at 19 different locations on the island, and also sells baked goods such as pies and cupcakes.

Ahmani’s Cookies continues to grow.

Twenty-one of his cookie flavours are available to passengers on afternoon BermudAir flights, and are reportedly getting rave reviews.

“l am proud of myself,” he said. “I am no longer anxious. l appreciate people for letting me know they enjoy my cookies, cakes, cheesecakes and brownies.”