High-Tech Vending & Coffee Service Innovations Continue To Fuel Industry’s Revival
Tulane University “Gratitude Event” To Showcase What’s Brewing in the Industry, Allow Consumers to Interact with Newest Machines and Technologies
CHICAGO – November 1, 2012 – The vending and refreshment services industry continues to experience a dramatic revival, thanks to innovative technology making the industry a more exciting and engaging experience. To show consumers some of the latest and most advanced vending machines and coffee brewers, products and technology, NAMA, the association representing the $42 billion vending and refreshment services industry, is hosting a “Gratitude Event” on Tuesday, November 13, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., on the campus of Tulane University. Hundreds of free snacks, cold and hot beverages will be given away.
The Tulane Gratitude Event will be held the day before NAMA’s annual Coffee, Tea & Water (CTW) Show in New Orleans. The latest technology in single-cup specialty coffee brewers from Starbucks®, Keurig®, MARS Drinks® and others, will be on display for consumers and CTW show attendees to interact with and use. In addition, vending machines from Coca-Cola®, Crane Merchandising® and others will provide students and other consumers with a variety of interactive experiences.
Cutting-edge technology on display will provide consumers with a variety of interactive experiences that are new to vending and coffee service, such as the ability to:
- Spin a product 360 degrees on a 46-inch touch screen with a tap of a finger;
- In just minutes, enjoy a steaming cup of fresh coffee, espresso, or hot caramel latte;
- Swipe a mobile device to quickly and easily pay for multiple purchases at one time; and
- View nutritional information right on the machine before making a purchase.
Gratitude Events are designed to say “thank you” to vending customers, especially Generation Y users (ages 18-29), who were shown in NAMA research to prefer vending over convenience stores and grocery/drug stores for snacks and cold beverages.
The Gratitude Event is part of a NAMA initiative to capture consumer attention and educate the public about the vending and the refreshment services industry and all that it delivers today. These events are part of a broader NAMA “Industry Growth Strategy” that aims to create a “vendialogue,” an ongoing conversation between the vending industry and consumers.
Fourteen state-of-the-art vending machines and single-cup coffee brewers are being provided by Mondelēz InternationalÒ CoincoÒ, Royal VendorsÒ and InOne TechnologyÒ, Coca-ColaÒ, CanteenÒ Vending, CraneÒ Merchandising SystemsÒ, U-Select-ItÒ, StarbucksÒ, TassimoÒ, MARS DrinksÒ, KeurigÒ, Cafection EnterprisesÒ, Newco EnterprisesÒ, and Vendors ExchangeÒ. Other vending industry leaders supporting the Gratitude Event include Refreshment SolutionsÒ, VendScreenÒ and ARAMARKÒ.
About The National Automatic Merchandising Association
NAMA, founded in 1936, is the national association representing the $42 billion vending, coffee service and foodservice management industries. With more than 1,800 member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership. For more information about NAMA, please visit www.vending.org.
