The 2017 edition of the European Vending Experience ‘EVEX’ brought a record number of key industry actors together for two days of educational conferences, unique networking opportunities, cultural activities, a Young Operators’ Forum, and a commercial exhibition.
EVEX this year was organised by the EVA in collaboration with the Italian Vending Association (CONFIDA) and saw more than 360 participants from 28 countries convene in the sunshine of the ‘Eternal City.’ This year, the appeal of the event also extended outside of Europe, with EVEX welcoming a large and enthusiastic delegation of 31 participants from the Asian Pacific Vending Association.
As usual the EVA Annual General Assembly Meeting launched EVEX before the educational and thought-provoking conferences addressing two very different and practical themes. The first conference by University Professor Emanuele Frontoni explored how big data can encourage consumers to use vending. This involved a recent study employing cameras which revealed the detailed reactions, time spent, and behaviour of people in front of a snack vending machine, and demonstrated that by capturing comprehensive data and understanding better the customer, operators, manufacturers and suppliers can accurately adapt their offering to attract new or more business.
The second conference by Pau Garcia-Mila was an interactive presentation on ‘Fast Innovation’ showing that companies must continue to innovate and change their offering, and not wait too long. As part of this, EVEX participants created a new business prototype during the one hour timeslot, which consequently went live as a new website. Using this method, genuine customer feedback can be authentically gathered in real-time; assisting businesses to decide whether to fully launch a new project. The purpose of this conference was to prove that once an innovation
has been determined, it is absolutely possible to present it seriously to customers in a very quick time period.
Attendees were thereafter treated to a diverse range of local cultural activities in the Vatican and ancient city centre of Rome in order to aid networking ahead of a Gala dinner in the evening of the 23rd November. The dinner provided the backdrop for the presentation of the expanded EVEX Awards, which were uniquely voted for by participants through the official event App. We are very pleased to announce the following as the 2017 EVEX Awards winners:
· Machine of the Year – COTI by Crane Merchandising Systems
· Payment System of the Year – VPOS Touch by NAYAX.
On the morning of 24th November, a very well received Young Operators’ Forum took place which involved invited operators from 10 countries presenting their businesses and their current challenges, before a wider discussion on solutions took place. Despite coming from very different regions, it became clear that the challenges for these operators are all very comparable – the similarities in addressing topics such as healthier vending and cashless payment options were particularly interesting. Indeed, a visit the day before by these attendees to the large Italian operator IVS proved useful and stimulated debate ahead of the Forum.
The remainder of EVEX was dedicated to the commercial exhibition, providing the sponsors an opportunity to promote their products and do some business. We are very grateful for the active support received by a wide range of EVA and CONFIDA Members who really made the EVEX what is was:
Diamond sponsor:
N&W Global Vending
Gold sponsors:
Bianchi Industry, CCV, Covim, FAS, Ingenico, Lavazza, NAYAX
SUZOHAPP, Worldline
Silver sponsors:
Brita Italia, Velarte, Nescafé, Acqua Panna & San Pellegrino
Bronze sponsors:
AST International, Aztek, Castles Technology, Coffee & Drinks Systems, Coges, Coin Acceptors, CPI, De Jong Duke, Flo, Grefusa, Ilstant, Mastercard, Paytec, Payter, Sabicom, Sandenvendo, Sitael, Vendin, Vendman
The EVA and CONFIDA are thoroughly delighted by the support and early feedback of this edition of EVEX. Dates and location for EVEX 2018 will be communicated in due course.
About the European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA)
The European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA) is a not-for-profit organisation established and situated in Brussels since 1994. It represents the interests of the European coffee service and vending industry vis-à-vis the European Institutions and other relevant authorities or bodies. Its membership is composed of national associations and individual companies across Europe. The EVA represents all segments of the coffee service, water dispenser and vending industry: machine and component manufacturers, suppliers of commodities (coffee, ingredients, snacks, cold drinks, cups etc.), and operators.
