Automatic Merchandiser - 6

EDITOR'S NOTE

To New Beginnings
While 2020 is a year many may want to forget,
let's remember the lessons learned
I WAS WALKING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN EARLY NOVEMBER

Abby White
Editor
awhite@
vendingmarketwatch.com

... it's important
to remember the
many lessons
learned during this
challenging year, and
to focus on the silver
linings that always
seem to appear in
the darkest of times.

when I noticed that several houses already had holiday decorations up.
It seemed a bit early, but in 2020, are there really any rules anymore?
Growing up, the Christmas decorations in my family's house never
went up until the Thanksgiving decorations came down. One year, my
mother actually started taking the Thanksgiving decorations down
before we'd even finished our pumpkin pie. " Thanksgiving is over! " she
proclaimed. We cleared the table and started decorating for Christmas.
I think it's safe to say that many of us are excited for something
to look forward to, even if the holidays look different this year due to
COVID-19. I hope you enjoy a much-needed break over the holidays.
I think it's also safe to say that many of us are excited for a new start
in 2021. While it may be tempting to entirely wipe 2020 from our collective memories, it's important to remember the many lessons learned
during this challenging year, and to focus on the silver linings that
always seem to appear in the darkest of times.
In our 2021 Forecast, contributing editor Emily Jed talked with
industry experts about the lessons learned in 2020 and what operators
should prepare for next year, especially since a considerable amount of
the workforce has been working from home, impacting their consumption habits. We saw an acceleration in the use of cashless and contactless payments to prevent the spread of COVID-19, which will also
affect consumer behavior as they return to the workplace. In a chaotic
year, one truth held constant across all industries: Those who could
pivot and adapt quickly came out ahead. Read more on page 26.
We're always excited to recognize leaders in our industry, and
this year's Pros To Know Awards is no exception. We were also
excited to welcome former managing editor Adrienne Zimmer back
to oversee this year's Pros To Know Awards. Find out who made the
cut on page 12.
Lastly, I have some exciting news of my own to share. After a year
and a half as editor of Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com, I am moving to Endeavor Business Media's Marketing
Solutions team. As the company's Director of Custom Content, I'll be
working across all Endeavor brands on custom content projects. I've
truly enjoyed working with you, and I hope our paths cross again!
We'll be welcoming a new editor soon, who will be familiar to many
of you. Until then, take care and stay safe.

Automatic Merchandiser * December 2020

Editorial
Advisory
Board
Joe Hessling
365 Retail
Markets

Josh
Rosenberg
NAMA Board
Chair

John Reilly
Avanti Markets

Anant Agrawal
Cantaloupe
Systems
USA Technologies

Elyssa Steiner
Cantaloupe
Systems
USA Technologies

Carl Moser
Canteen
Corporate

Chuck Reed
Crane Payment
Innovations (CPI)

Cory Hewett
Gimme
Michael Miller
Mondelēz
International

Paresh Patel
PayRange

Jeff Deitchler
Prairie Fire
Coffee

Jim Carbone
Tradecraft
(retired)

Sandy
Thornton
VendEdge

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Automatic Merchandiser

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