The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) announced that its chairman, Craig A. Hesch, NCE5, will unveil a new industry growth strategy (IGS) for the association and the industry during the NAMA annual meeting, which will convene during the NAMA OneShow on Thursday, April 28, in Chicago.
"The new Industry Growth Strategy includes a variety of programs aimed at revitalizing the image of vending and stimulating growth in our industry by raising awareness and building excitement for the vending experience within key target markets," said Hesch in a prepared statement. He explained that the multi-faceted campaign has been developed during the past year by the NAMA board, staff and outside marketing professionals.
Hesch continued, "This exciting new program will flood the consumer marketplace with positive images and messages about new machines, products and technology, while also driving large numbers of consumers – both virtually and literally – to the machines themselves."
According to Hesch, the association is making a concerted effort to encourage its members to attend the NAMA OneShow and hear first-hand about the industry growth strategy. "We'd like that meeting room overflowing with our members, who will hear about this new initiative and learn about the positive impact it will have on the industry overall and their businesses specifically," he said.
The industry growth strategy was designed around new industry and consumer research conducted among vending operators, product suppliers and other members of the industry, as well as Generation Y, Generation X and Baby Boomer users and non-users of vending.
