Vending operators and suppliers from throughout the Southeast converged on the Sandestin Resort in Destin, Fla. in early August for three days of education, relaxation and network sharing, marking the best attended Southeastern Vending Association Convention ever.
The association includes the Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee vending associations affiliated with the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA).
A highlight of the meeting was a panel discussion on the future of vending moderated by Marc Whitener, owner of Refreshment Solutions in Norco, La. Panelists included Dennis Hogan, CEO of Canteen Vending Services, Tom Barlow, senior vice president of vending and wholesale for Coca Cola Refreshments North America, and Brad Ellis, president of Crane Merchandising Systems.
NFL legend Joe Theismann ended the educational program with a talk on “The Challenge of Change.” Theismann signed autographics following his talk.
