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National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)

Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $34.9 billion US convenience services industry. With nearly 1,000 member companies — including many of the world’s most recognized brands — NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership.
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More Info on National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)

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In addition to its role as an advocacy voice for the convenience services industry, the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) hosts the annual NAMA Show, a self-service solution experience for B2B operators and B2C enterprises, and CTW,  designed specifically for operators and suppliers to collaborate on how to elevate OCS and pantry offerings. 

Videos

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Industry veteran turned consultant Bob Tullio asks vending, micro market and office coffee service operators to share what they saw and learned during the 2018 NAMA Show.
May 2, 2018
This is Convenience Services
In Las Vegas, NAMA debuted This is Convenience Services, a video designed to illustrate fundamental shifts in our newly rebranded industry. This video will help tell our story...
April 23, 2018
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Industry veteran turned consultant Bob Tullio asks vending, micro market and office coffee service operators to share what they saw and learned during the 2018 NAMA Show.
April 19, 2018
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Oct. 20, 2017
Register Now For NAMA's Coffee, Tea & Water Show
Registration is open for NAMA’s Coffee, Tea & Water (CTW) show, the largest event dedicated to the $4 billion U.S. coffee services industry. This year, NAMA has created a custom...
Aug. 2, 2016
Come to the NAMA Fly In! An Update With Eric Dell
VendingMarketWatch Editor Emily Refermat sits down with NAMA's SVP of Government Affairs, Eric Dell, to discuss the upcoming NAMA Fly In taking place next week in Washington, ...
July 8, 2016
PPC 2015 Group outside WH Exec Offices 5617e569ad6bb
(CHICAGO) October 9, 2015 – NAMA’s Board of Directors met with multiple White House offices Wednesday, October 7 during Advocacy in Action 2015, the association’s Public Policy...
Oct. 9, 2015
New NAMA Chair Talks Big Ideas
Longtime industry member Howard Chapman, vice president/division manager of Royal Cup Coffee and new NAMA Chair, talks big ideas with VMW Editor Emily Refermat. Click here to ...
June 29, 2015
Mark Dieffenbach 55198f7ae097c
NAMA recently awarded Mark Dieffenbach of The Hershey Company with the prestigious Industry Person of the Year Award 2015. Dieffenbach sits down with VMW Editor Emily Refermat...
March 30, 2015
What You Need To Know About The Final Calorie Disclosure Rule
Emily Refermat, editor of Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch.com, asks NAMA’s Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Eric Dell to explain some key points of the...
Dec. 19, 2014

Podcasts

NAMA Show 2026 - a look at trends in CPG brands for convenience operators
Vending + OCS Nation
From protein-forward snacks and premium fresh food to cleaner energy drinks and office coffee innovation, operators at the 2026 NAMA Show focused on products that drive repeat...
NAMA Show 2026 Podcast
Vending + OCS Nation
From smart coolers to data-driven operations, the 2026 NAMA Show delivers hands-on exposure to the tools operators can put to work immediately.
Coffee Tea Water podcast part 2, 2025 event
Vending + OCS Nation
Industry leaders at CTW break down the trends that will shape 2026, including AI’s accelerating role, data-driven decisions and high-touch customer engagement. Hear what operators...
NAMA CTW
NAMA CTW podcast
Sponsored
Vending + OCS Nation
In the latest Vending & OCS Nation podcast, host Bob Tullio previews the 2025 Coffee, Tea and Water show in Miami, highlighting keynotes, education sessions and networking designed...
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Vending & OCS Nation NAMA Carla Balakgie part 2 podcast
Vending + OCS Nation
As she prepares for her final NAMA Show as president and CEO, Carla Balakgie joins the Vending & OCS Nation podcast for a candid, inspiring conversation. In this second part of...
NAMA 2025 Show trade podcast
Vending + OCS Nation
Based on the industry’s growth, a big comeback is underway in just about every segment of the convenience services industry. With the huge success of the most recent conventions...
© Endeavor Business Media
Carla Balakgie, president and CEO of NAMA, convenience services trade association
Vending + OCS Nation
Carla Balakgie hit the ground running when she was named president and CEO of NAMA 14 years ago. With Carla moving on to her next chapter after this year, the convenience services...
© Endeavor Business Media
NAMA CTW podcast
Vending + OCS Nation
From the supplier’s area, dubbed the Connection Hub, to the lineup of speakers, to the education sessions, NAMA's CTW for 2024 has been reimagined to help operators thrive in ...
Automatic Merchandiser
Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast: Operators feel the vibe at the 2024 NAMA Show
Vending + OCS Nation
In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, podcast host Bob Tullio takes listeners right to the convention floor, with multiple operator interviews – for...
Automatic Merchandiser
Vending & OCS Nation Podcast: An exclusive, sneak preview of the 2024 NAMA Show in Dallas
Sponsored
Vending + OCS Nation
The 2024 NAMA Show in Dallas is just around the corner, and from all indications, it will be one of the biggest gatherings the convenience services industry has ever seen.

Blogs

Louis Baresh / NAMA
2025 NAMA Fly-In group photo in front of capital
Executive Refreshments’ Louis Baresh says issues like cashless payment mandates, camera surveillance rules and affordability debates are already impacting vending and micro market...
May 12, 2026
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As a newcomer to Automatic Merchandiser magazine and VendingMarketWatch.com, I was especially looking forward to attending this year's NAMA OneShow in Las Vegas. Over the past...
May 4, 2017
NAMA Twitter
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Lately, we have heard a lot about advocacy as NAMA geared up for its first Fly In, an open invitation for any member of the association to come to Washington, D.C. and talk to...
July 23, 2015
Vitality Vending's Brent Farrell testifying in front of the Vermont Senate Finance Committee.
Let me introduce you to Brent Farrell, the owner of Vitality Vending in the State of Vermont and someone who understands the importance of relationships when it comes to advocating...
May 7, 2015
Emily Refermat
Dallas, TX, has hosted quite possibly the best NAMA CoffeeTea&Water show I have ever attended. One key indicator was that on Wednesday, the tradeshow floor was packed with exhibitors...
Nov. 13, 2014
Tom Britten is president of Britten Management Services, based in Zephyrhills, Fla. He is a full service consultant to the food and vending industry. He can be reached at 813-469-5437; email: tombritten@msn.com.
Force vend is a condition where the vending operator programs the machine not to give a refund after inserting payment, but not making a selection. This practice is considered...
Oct. 17, 2012
It has been six years since U.S. schools began removing soda from vending machines. This was a controversial move. Some observers claimed it would create financial hardships for...
Aug. 15, 2012
The upcoming State of the Coffee Service Industry Report will be one of the most positive stories Automatic Merchandiser will provide in recent history. Refreshment service veterans...
Aug. 1, 2012
Thick in the throes of researching the state of the coffee service industry, it’s safe to say the refreshment service industry overall has weathered the challenging economic environment...
July 25, 2012
Facebook’s initial public offering last week has raised a lot of questions about how the social media Website will raise revenue.
May 16, 2012

News

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The House-passed legislation would require equipment-impact testing before the Treasury adopts a lower-cost nickel. It also would formalize the end of penny production and allows...
July 20, 2026
NAMA / Michael Schwartz, Nestlé Professional Solutions / Scott Halloran, Trolley Hospitality Companies / Matt Hubbard, Continental Vending / April Cathcart, G&J Marketing and Sales / Patrick Moran, Moran Refreshments
NAMA 2026-2027 board
Convenience services leaders from Nestlé Professional Solutions, Trolley Hospitality Companies, Continental Services and other companies will guide NAMA’s 2026-27 board.
July 1, 2026
National Automatic Merchandising Association
Rep. Maxine Waters honored by NAMA
National Automatic Merchandising Association honored Rep. Maxine Waters with its 2026 Industry Champion award during a June 10 ceremony in Washington.
June 11, 2026
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NAMA 2026
Ron Howard’s keynote at the NAMA Show centered on the decisions that shaped his career — from finding meaningful work to building collaborative teams and knowing when to take ...
April 24, 2026
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NAMA Show 2026
Final day at the NAMA Show: a compressed schedule with education, a closing general session and the last chance to walk the Expo Hall, explore new products and lock in operator...
April 24, 2026
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NAMA
Thursday, April 23 at The NAMA Show in Los Angeles includes education sessions, the Expo Hall & Imagination Way and a guided show floor tours at 11:30 a.m.
April 23, 2026
NAMA
The NAMA Show kicks off Wednesday, April 22, at the Los Angeles Convention Center, with registration, education sessions, a Ron Howard general session, and the Expo Hall opening...
April 22, 2026
April Cathcart / Linda Saldaña / Dave Carroll / 365 Retail Markets
The National Automatic Merchandising Association will honor April Cathcart (left) of G&J Marketing and Sales as its Industry Person of the Year. NAMA also will recognize Seventh Wave Refreshments, including CEO Linda Saldaña (center) and president Dave Carroll (right) as Operator of the Year, and 365 Retail Markets was named Allied Member of the Year.
April Cathcart, Seventh Wave Refreshments and 365 Retail Markets will be honored as 2026 NAMA Industry Awards recipients at the show this month.
April 1, 2026
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vending in subway
Vending remains the largest convenience services segment, but operators are increasingly running multiple business lines across micro markets and office coffee service.
March 20, 2026
National Automatic Merchandising Association
National Vending Day
National Vending Day puts a spotlight on the workers and systems that keep products available in workplaces, schools and public spaces.
March 5, 2026

Articles

NAMA
The crowd streams into Imagination Way at the 2025 NAMA Show in Las Vegas.
Operators who come with a plan leave with better decisions, stronger partners and ideas they can actually use.
April 10, 2026
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U.S. capitol
More than 100 convenience services leaders from 32 states will convene in Washington, D.C., this week for the 2024 NAMA Fly-In and Advocacy Summit.
July 22, 2024
NAMA
Four key observations from the NAMA Show 2024
The 2024 NAMA Show in Dallas was notable for several reasons, including attendee turnout and trade show floor exhibits, the positive vibe, education sessions, and the many new...
May 14, 2024
Automatic Merchandiser
Coffee, Tea and Water Solutions for OCS operators
Conversations and education sessions from the 2023 CTW show provided valuable takeaways.
Feb. 27, 2024
NAMA
bob_tullio_CTW_OCS
The educational session, Exploring the State of the OCS Industry, presented by Bob Tullio, will explore the latest Automatic Merchandiser State of the Coffee Service Industry ...
Nov. 1, 2023
Mike Goscinski joined NAMA’s government affairs team in May 2019. Goscinski oversees NAMA's legislative and regulatory efforts and represents the association on Capitol Hill. Prior to NAMA, he spent eight years at the American Bakers Association, most recently as director of government relations.
The convenience services industry is facing a new world in Washington. President-elect Joe Biden became President Biden on Jan. 20 after he took the oath of office to become the...
March 23, 2021
Carla Balakgie is president and chief executive of NAMA, a Washington, DC-based trade association representing the convenience services industry.
An op-ed by Carla Balakgie, NAMA president and chief executive
March 11, 2021
NAMA
Greg Sidwell
As the coronavirus pandemic disrupts everyday business, professionals in convenience services are using creative strategies to run operations and provide food and beverages to...
April 28, 2020
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Editor's Note: This was written before NAMA announced the cancellation of The NAMA Show 2020.After years of rotating between Chicago and Las Vegas, The NAMA Show 2020 will be ...
March 23, 2020
Ievgeniia Lytvynovych | 1075488942 | Getty Images
Getty Images 1075488942
Like most things in life, an ideal product mix is never truly finished. New products are continually offered in workplace beverages, incorporating the many trends driving consumer...
March 23, 2020

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Additional content from National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)

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Academy Award–winning filmmaker Ron Howard
Academy Award–winning filmmaker Ron Howard will share his perspective on leadership and creativity as the headline speaker at the 2026 NAMA Show in Los Angeles.
Dec. 9, 2025
NAMA
NAMA Show 2025 show floor
NAMA has opened registration for the 2026 NAMA Show, set for April 22-24 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Nov. 20, 2025
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Smart coffee systems empower operators to deliver proactive service
At NAMA's Coffee Tea & Water event, a panel of experts explained how connected coffee systems are giving OCS operators real-time visibility into performance and uptime.
Nov. 13, 2025
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stock image office break room
At CTW in Miami, two customers made one thing clear: big clients want convenience services partners who listen, communicate quickly and bring new ideas before anyone else does...
Nov. 10, 2025
© Endeavor Business Media / Linda Becker
Kaiser Yang at CTW
At CTW in Miami, keynote speaker Kaiser Yang of Platypus Labs urged convenience services operators to “be the source of disruption” by applying five innovation mindsets to create...
Nov. 6, 2025
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coffee shop
As NAMA’s Coffee, Tea & Water 2025 event kicks off this week at the Hyatt Regency Miami, attendees will be surrounded by world-class brews inside the show floor. Outside of show...
Nov. 3, 2025
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coffee forefront, meeting in background
NAMA’s Coffee Tea & Water 2025 conference, set for Nov. 4–5 in Miami, will bring operators and suppliers together to explore new strategies in office coffee, pantry, and workplace...
Oct. 27, 2025
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US Capitol
In its weekly brief, NAMA says the ongoing federal shutdown is creating uncertainty for convenience services operators, with potential delays to SNAP and EBT guidance, contract...
Oct. 6, 2025
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coffee meeting abstract
Bob Tullio, a veteran voice in convenience services and office coffee programs, will serve as emcee for CTW 2025, taking place November 4-5 at the Hyatt Regency Miami, Fla.
Oct. 2, 2025
NAMA
NAMA names Christine Cochran as next president and CEO
NAMA prepares for a seamless leadership transition as Cochran joins the association this December, bringing a proven track record in membership and strategic leadership.
Sept. 17, 2025
NAMA
NAMA issues call for speakers for 2026 show
The National Automatic Merchandising Association is accepting speaker proposals for the NAMA Show 2026, set for April 22–24 in Los Angeles. The association is seeking proposals...
Aug. 4, 2025
NAMA
Patrick Moran, Moran Refeshments
With deep industry roots and a passion for advocacy, Moran brings three decades of leadership to the top role at the National Automatic Merchandising Association.
July 8, 2025