NAMAs 2016 OneShow Draws More Vending Operators And Exhibitors

CHICAGO -- The National Automatic Merchandising Association's 2016 OneShow, held April 13-16 at Chicago's McCormick Place, attracted more than 4,300 industry professionals from across the country and the globe. This year's registration figures were similar to last year's, but boasted 200 more operators in the total.

This year's NAMA vending show also hosted a record-breaking number of exhibitors. Some 288 companies, compared with 250 last year, a 15% increase, spotlighted the latest products, equipment and technology for vending, micromarkets and office coffee service. There were 67 first-time exhibitors this year, compared with 75 in 2015.

A star-studded general session event sponsored by PepsiCo was a main attraction and got OneShow off to a rousing start. "Shark Tank's" Lori Greiner and Robert Herjavec judged teams of entrepreneurs from Michigan State University's Spartan Innovation Program, with NAMA chief executive Carla Balakgie moderating the contest.

Team Bringitt took home the $10,000 prize, after pitching their team's eponymous app: a peer-to-peer shipping network that connects students with one another to transport items between campus and home. Bringitt users can also generate income by making deliveries.

NAMA's board installed new board members and elected the association's executive committee for the coming year. Vistar's Patrick Hagerty is this year's chairman, succeeding Royal Cup Inc.'s Howard Chapman; U-Select-It's Heidi Chico is chair elect. Jeff Smith of All Star Services Inc. (Port Huron, MI) moves up to vice-chairman; and Greg Sidwell of G&J Marketing becomes secretary-treasurer.

Continuing on the board are Dan Hart of Southern Refreshment Services (Tucker, GA) and Randy Smith of Lightspeed Automation. Newly elected to the board are PepsiCo's Marty Bean; USA Technologies' Michael Lawlor; Scott Meskin of Black Tie Services (Baltimore); Marc Whitener of Refreshment Solutions LLC (Norco, LA) and Lance Whorton of Imperial Coffee and Foodservice (Tulsa, OK).

The OneShow general session also marked the launch of a contemporary brand identity for the 80-year-old association, which includes a new logo and tagline: "Bringing Convenience to Life." | SEE STORY

Next year's OneShow will be held April 19-21 at the Venetian/Sands Resort in Las Vegas.

Vending Times' OneShow coverage will continue in the June issue.

SWIMMING WITH THE SHARKS:Lori Greiner and Robert Herjavec of ABC-TV's "Shark Tank" strike a pose with NAMA chief executive Carla Balakgie and students from Michigan State University's Spartan Innovation Program who vied for $10,000 prize. The contest packed the house at NAMA's general session.

COME ONE, COME ALL:More than 4,300 showgoers walked the floors at NAMA's 2016 OneShow tradeshow, held April 13-15 at Chicago's McCormick Place Lakeside Center. A record-breaking 288 companies showcased their equipment, products and technology, 67 of whom were first-time exhibitors.

ROUND OF APPLAUSE:NAMA chief executive Carla Balakgie and chairman Howard Chapman (l.) congratulate 2016 Industry Award winners during OneShow. From left they are Allied Member of the Year Art Wittern, U-Select-It chairman; Industry Person of the Year Joshua J. Rosenberg, Accent Food Services (Pflugerville, TX); and Operator of the Year Scott Meskin, Black Tie Services (Baltimore).