People and Events News & Media

Don't forget: ARKI Awards nomination deadline is Sept. 4

August 27, 2026

Time is running out to submit nominations for the 2026 Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Awards. The Sept. 4 deadline is approaching for companies…

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Special Olympics GB to test accessible reverse vending

August 26, 2026

Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Exchange for Change and Special Olympics Great Britain will conduct an accessibility trial of reverse vending machines during…

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CardVault by Tom Brady adds investors to fuel national expansion

August 17, 2026

CardVault by Tom Brady has assembled its first strategic investor group as the sports collectibles retailer prepares for further expansion, according to a…

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Prepango scores with FIFA merchandise vending machines

by Richard Slawsky — Editor, Connect Media

Automated retailer Prepango used its airport network, remote monitoring and regional sales data to put official World Cup products within reach of travelers…

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Aramark earns 10th Disability Index Top Scorer recognition

July 31, 2026

Aramark has been named a Top Scorer on the 2026 Disability Index, according to a press release, marking the 10th time the hospitality and services company has…

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VMFS sponsors Cuban Formula 4 driver Isabella Abreu

July 29, 2026

Cuban-owned vending machine company VMFS USA has announced a sponsorship agreement with Cuban racing driver Isabella Abreu, according to a press release. The…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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.

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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