CHICAGO -- The National Automatic Merchandising Association reports that the next event for its Women of the Industry (WIN) networking group will be a breakfast on Thursday, Nov. 15, during the Coffee, Tea & Water conference at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in New Orleans. This year's CT&W is scheduled for Nov. 13 through 15.
NAMA director of sales and service Sue Ralston invited female professionals working in vending and refreshment services to join the network. "This special-interest group met for the first time at NAMA's OneShow last year, and there was a great turnout," she recalled.
"With a LinkedIn page and a mission statement, the women are enthusiastic and ready to go," Ralston added.
That inaugural social event proved valuable to participants, according to Carla Variglotti of Cuyahoga Vending (Cleveland), one of its organizers. "I am active in NAMA's WIN group because it gives me the opportunity to meet a broad-based group of women in the industry and create a valuable professional network," she explained.
Ralston extended thanks to the sponsors of this year's fall event, S&D Coffee, U-Select-It and Vendors Exchange International Inc. "Hundreds of interested women are expected to be involved in WIN with our mission to promote unity and leadership by empowering women professionals of the vending and refreshment services industry through education and networking," she reported.
WIN also is planning a special education and networking event for the 2013 OneShow in Las Vegas next April. Details will be announced as they're confirmed.
