Automatic Merchandiser - 47

THE

NAMA

SHOW

Positive Outlook
Drove NAMA Show
Success

Premium healthy products that fit into
the emerging pantry service line and
micro market expansion were among
the key features of the 2019 show.

he annual convenience services show produced by
NAMA brought 4,600 attendees to the Las Vegas Convention Center from April 24 to 26, 2019. With a tagline
about endless possibilities, it was no wonder that the overall vibe of the show was optimistic and full of innovation.

The 2019 NAMA show attracted 4,600 attendees to the Las Vegas,
NV, Las Vegas Convention Center from April 24 to 26, 2019.
NAMA

Express by Avanti
Markets was announced
during the NAMA Show
with a demonstration
market outside the show
floor where cameras
captured what customers
took automatically and
deducted the cost from
the app without any
scanning or cashiers
needed.

Health and wellness
"This year we hosted our highest exhibitor count and
largest show floor to date, including 132 first-time exhibitors," said Lindsey Nelson, vice president of programs
and services for NAMA, in a prepared statement. Among
the 83,000 square feet of exhibit hall space were 125 new
products, including many new better-for-you offerings and
more than a few with cannabidiol, or CBD, added.

Avanti

Plenty for the pantry
Office coffee service was well represented with specialty
teas from brands both large and small and companies
offering fruit tray delivery partnerships. Drink customization for the workplace kitchen had a strong showing
with trusted names like Coca-Cola Freestyle and Bevi to
newbies such as MYX and Elkway's Smartwell.

Micro market innovation
It was emerging micro market technology, however, that
stole the show this year. Nearly every micro market
technology supplier was offering something new. The
365 Retail Market's PicoMarket and Avanti's Smart N
Go system both offer theft and tampering prevention
using a locked cooler system. Avanti also showcased
"Express by Avanti Markets," which works much like
the famed Amazon Go stores. The consumer enters
using an app, takes what they wish and leaves, no scanning or cashier needed.
There continues to be new innovation in delivering
products to consumers as well as strides in the field of
premium and the better-for-you categories. Don't miss next
year's NAMA Show in Nashville, TN, from May 6 to 8.

Carla Balakgie, CEO of NAMA, shared with show attendees a
message of doing well by doing good during the opening session
on April 24. NAMA has plans to expand on this message in the
public sector on behalf of the industry.
NAMA

Anant Agrawal, executive vice president, corporate development
at USA Technologies, far left, led a panel discussion on
"Streamlining Office Logistics with Technology," a small operator
round table at The NAMA Show 2019 in Las Vegas, NV. The
panelists were Duncan Smith, president and COO of All Star
Services, left; Jared Detwiler, vice president of operations at One
Source Office Refreshment; and Bradlee Whitson, operations
manager at K&R Vending Services.

June/July 2019

VendingMarketWatch.com

Automatic Merchandiser

http://www.VendingMarketWatch.com

Automatic Merchandiser

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