Vending Industry Leads Charge In New York State

ALBANY, NY -- John Murn's mission is to keep vending in the forefront among legislators as president of the New York State Automatic Vending Association. He has worked closely with Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office and the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets on the Taste NY program, which promotes products produced in the Empire State through vending machines placed in government buildings, transportation hubs, rest stops, schools and other public sites.

NYSAVA held an event at the New York State Legislative Office Building on March 15, where the group invited legislators to sample products sold through the Taste NY-branded vending machines. Industry members also met with New York legislators to inform them about the contributions vending makes to the state's economy.

By deploying the machines, Murn emphasized, New York operators can help promote buying local, benefitting the product manufacturers and the state's economy, while at the same time boosting vending's image.

Think Globally, Vend Locally

The program made its high-profile premiere at the Great New York State Fair in 2014. American Food and Vending (Syracuse) is operating Taste NY machines on the New York State Thruway and Answer Vending (Farmingdale) is running machines in Metropolitan Transportation Authority locations, and other operators are coming aboard.

"I encourage suppliers of products made in New York to be part of Taste NY," Murn urged. "The governor has done a phenomenal job, turning a budget deficit into a surplus, supporting the industry and creating Taste NY. What better way for people to try New York products and buy local than on the Thruway or in an airport? It creates an opportunity for us all."

Murn said the goal is to have 1,000 Taste NY vending machines across the state, and to encourage other states to follow suit. In fact, NAMA senior vice-president of government affairs Eric Dell and Murn are working together to have a Taste NY machine on display at NAMA's upcoming Fly-In legislative event on Capitol Hill in July.

The NYSAVA president credited an active membership and board with helping create new vending opportunities and elevate the industry's image. He has big plans for the group to continue to raise the bar for the industry as a whole.

"As president of the New York association, my goal is to promote vending so it's considered a positive experience 100% of the time," Murn said. "That includes engaging consumers to use their phone or credit card and to be excited about the vending process and what's in the machines."

Today's machines can vend anything from a drill to an umbrella or ear buds, Murn pointed out, creating limitless opportunity. A key NYSAVA mission is to work with operators and product suppliers of all types to stretch their imaginations.

"It's where vending needs to go, and NYSAVA is excited to create new opportunities," said Murn. "Our message is if you want to vend it, we have the technology to find a way. We're spreading the word that vending is a medium for sampling products in a mall, and to potentially display one commercial on a screen to effectually communicate with 1.2 billion consumers in a year. That's where vending is going with digital promotion, and we can help drive it."

PHOTO: From left, John Murn, Lou Pace of Quality Brokerage (Turnersville, NJ), Michael Cascione of CC Vending (Mt. Vernon, NY) and Carl Gerfo of Vendrite Vending Corp. (Whitestone, NY) are ready to bring legislators up to speed on Taste NY and other industry initiatives. The vending pros are pictured at the New York State Legislative Office Building on March 15 for a Taste NY promotion.

PHOTO: Presenting NYSAVA Champion Award to New York State Agriculture and Markets director of agricultural development Kevin King (second from right) are (l. to r.) Mike Bauer of Burdette Beckmann, John Murn, and Mark Houseknecht, Crickler Vending Co. (Rochester, NY). Award recognizes King's support of NYSAVA's Taste NY vending program.

PHOTO: New York State Sen. Fred Akshar (R-Binghamton) meets with NYSAVA treasurer Bruce King (r.) to learn more about his vending operation, Five Star Services (Johnson City, NY), which is in Akshar's district.