NERSA scholarship fund awards record $147,700 to 21 students

July 21, 2026

The Allan Z. Gilbert Memorial Scholarship Fund awarded a record $147,700 in financial assistance to 21 students whose parents work for operator and supplier…

Ray Friedrich talks AI, automation, next era of self-service

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Ray Friedrich reflects on the lessons learned from introducing some of the industry's earliest self-service technologies, discusses how AI is changing customer…

NAMA opens nominations for 2026 Coffee Legend Award

July 16, 2026

The National Automatic Merchandising Association is accepting nominations for its 2026 Coffee Legend of the Year Award, which honors individuals who have…

Nominations open for 2026 Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Awards

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

The organizers of the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation (ARKI) Show are accepting nominations for the 2026 ARKI Awards, recognizing the companies, products…

Aramark expands workforce development program for neurodiverse students

July 13, 2026

Aramark celebrated the graduation of eight interns from its Project SEARCH workforce development program at the company's global headquarters in Philadelphia…

UK's AVA announces board members

July 13, 2026

The U.K.-based Automatic Vending Association has announced changes to its board of directors, naming Chris Skipper as the organization's new chair, according…

Wimbledon pilots reverse vending ahead of UK deposit return launch

July 6, 2026

A pilot of the U.K.'s upcoming deposit return scheme debuted during the Wimbledon Championships Qualifying Competition in Roehampton, southwest London…

Nestlé's Michael Schwartz takes helm of NAMA board

July 2, 2026

The National Automatic Merchandising Association has named Michael Schwartz chair of its board of directors for the 2026-27 term, according to a press release.

Automated retail helps drive FIFA merchandising windfall

June 29, 2026

The soccer governing body FIFA has dramatically expanded the retail reach of the 2026 World Cup by placing officially licensed merchandise in thousands of…

Pat Liebler to lead Aramark's AI data center services unit

June 26, 2026

Aramark has appointed Pat Liebler as president and CEO of Aramark Nexus, a newly created business unit focused on providing integrated support services for…

Shohei Ohtani takes over Tokyo vending machines

June 22, 2026

Japanese beverage company Ito En has installed six special-edition vending machines at Tokyo's Sensoji Temple featuring artwork of Los Angeles Dodgers star…

Tord Olav Dønnum on the future of autonomous foodservice

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Tord Olav Dønnum discusses how robotics, automation and artificial intelligence are reshaping foodservice operations and how autonomous kitchens can help…

NAMA names Maxine Waters as Industry Champion

June 16, 2026

The National Automatic Merchandising Association has named Maxine Waters its 2026 Industry Champion, according to a press release, recognizing the…

Tequila vending takes up residence in London nightclub

June 15, 2026

Patrón Tequila has introduced a miniature bottle vending machine as the centerpiece of a new branded lounge inside London's 77 nightclub in the Marylebone…

Heinz to set up London automat for National Picnic Week

May 29, 2026

Heinz is launching a temporary sandwich vending concept in London's Soho district to mark National Picnic Week, offering freshly made sandwiches for the…

Las Vegas airport preps for World Cup with limited-time vending machines

May 26, 2026

With the FIFA World Cup just weeks away, travelers passing through Harry Reid International Airport can now find special World Cup-themed vending machines…

From restaurant grind to fresh vending finds

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

After years of operating a restaurant, Baltimore resident Jason Hrisanthacopoulos decided to leave behind the long hours and operational pressures of…

NAMA recognizes industry contributors

April 3, 2026

The National Automatic Merchandising Association has announced the recipients of its 2026 Industry Awards, recognizing individuals and companies that have made…

BreaktimeTV Appoints Former Five Star CRO Greg McCall to Advisory Board

After helping grow Five Star Breaktime Solutions into one of the nation's leading convenience services operators, industry veteran Greg McCall joins…

Winery installs art vending machine to enhance visitor experience

February 26, 2026

Presqu'ile Winery, in California's Santa Maria Valley, has expanded its art programming by installing an Inciardi Mini Print Vending Machine in its tasting…