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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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.
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.
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...
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.
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...
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, ...
(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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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...
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.
Executive Refreshments’ Louis Baresh says issues like cashless payment mandates, camera surveillance rules and affordability debates are already impacting vending and micro market...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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
Convenience services leaders from Nestlé Professional Solutions, Trolley Hospitality Companies, Continental Services and other companies will guide NAMA’s 2026-27 board.
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 ...
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...
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.
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
Vending remains the largest convenience services segment, but operators are increasingly running multiple business lines across micro markets and office coffee service.
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...
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 ...
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...
As the coronavirus pandemic disrupts everyday business, professionals in convenience services are using creative strategies to run operations and provide food and beverages to...
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 ...
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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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.
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
NAMA prepares for a seamless leadership transition as Cochran joins the association this December, bringing a proven track record in membership and strategic leadership.
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...
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
National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)
NAMA’s latest economic analysis puts hard numbers behind the reach of the U.S. convenience services industry, estimating its total annual economic impact at just over $40 billion...
Preserving key Tax Cuts Jobs Act provisions, supporting SNAP acceptance for convenience services operators and being aware of the effects that tariffs could have on our industry...
The first day of 2025 NAMA Show, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from May 7-9, included a packed lineup of presentations, awards presentations to key NAMA contributors...
Three industry influencers — a veteran operations leader, a convenience services operator, and a technology service provider ¬— will be recognized with the 2025 Industry Awards...
Carla Balakgie, FASAE, CAE, will retire as president and CEO of the National Automatic Merchandising Association — and full-time association management — by the end of 2025.
Bringing together convenience service professionals, operators and innovators to explore the trends, technologies and products shaping the future of self-service retail, the 2025...
The 2024 Coffee Tea & Water (CTW) event concludes today in New Orleans. The reimagined event for office coffee service (OCS) operators and unattended retail professionals has ...
The 2024 Coffee Tea & Water show will take place on December 11-12 in New Orleans. The tradeshow and conference program is a unique gathering place for office coffee service (...
The National Automatic Merchandising Association is accepting presentation proposals focused on convenience services — including coffee services, vending, micro markets, kiosks...
The National Automatic Merchandising Association announced its 2024 NAMA Industry Awards honorees, including Jim Brinton with Evergreen Refreshments; American Food & Vending; ...
In a recently held public meeting, NAMA noted the importance of a complementary approach, aligning any FOP regulations with existing calorie disclosure rules already in place ...
NAMA members are encouraged to nominate their peers and colleagues with a demonstrated history of leadership and excellence in coffee services. Coffee Legend of the Year is awarded...
The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) announced a slate of programming to help define the policy agenda for its 2023 Fly-In & Advocacy Summit July 25-26 in Washington...
NAMA’s Industry Person of the Year, David Marler; Operator of the Year, Moran Refreshments (Patrick D. Moran); and Allied Member of the Year, G & J Marketing and Sales (Dan Kozlak...
Registration is open for The NAMA Show and Coffee Tea & Water – Together in 2021, a co-located experience featuring both of NAMA’s flagship events. The co-located show will take...
In this key win for the convenience services industry, NAMA has completed a two-work effort to update national safety standards around placement of vending machines with eco-friendly...
As part of the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) Fall Festival of Knowledge, three webinars are available to members this week:The Essence of Coffee Module 1...
Continuing its Fall Festival of Knowledge, the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) will offer a webinar, Driving Growth: Macro Trends Changing the Way Consumers...
The National Automatic Merchandising Association's (NAMA) Women in the Industry (WIN) group has partnered with the Women’s Foodservice Forum (WFF) to offer additional educational...
The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) will host a webinar examining the state of the economy across the U.S. as both the federal government and state governments...
The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) continues its Fall Festival of Knowledge with an upcoming webinar series, Essence of Coffee Module 1: Coffee Concepts.The...
U-Select-It introduces a product rebate program focused on introducing healthy products to vending operators. This initiative supports the National Automatic Merchandising Association...
NAMA has announced the schedule for its new virtual education series, the Fall Festival of Knowledge. Through this series, NAMA will offer weekly webcasts covering relevant and...
Convenience services operations have changed immensely in the last few months, thanks to COVID-19 and the many challenges it has created for our industry. Join the 365 Retail ...
NAMA has opened nominations for the 2020 NAMA Coffee Legend of the Year Award. Nominate a coffee pioneer who is an innovator, leader and visionary in the industry here. Click ...
Sandy Larson, NAMA's Senior Director and Counsel of Government Affairs, has worked with the organization for 24 years. CHICAGO, IL – September 7, 2020 – Today NAMA announces that...
In an email sent to members from NAMA president and CEO Carla Balakgie on August 27, 2020, NAMA announced the cancellation of Coffee Tea & Water 2020: Dear NAMA Members,In response...
While COVID-19 has created many new challenges for the industry, it has also presented opportunities for businesses in convenience services. NAMA will hold a free webinar this...
Greg Sidwell, president G & J Marketing, has been named chair of the NAMA Foundation Board of Trustees. CHICAGO, IL – JULY 30, 2020 – Following his tenure as NAMA Chair, G & J...
Rosenberg was named NAMA's Industry Person of the Year in 2016 and has served on the NAMA board of directors. CHICAGO, IL – JULY 28, 2020 – Industry veteran Josh Rosenberg has...
Greg Garson, of Vendor's Exchange International, has been named the 2020 NAMA Allied Member of the Year. NAMA Announces 2020 Allied Member of the Year: Greg Garson, Vendor's Exchange...
NAMA announces the winner of the 2020 NAMA Industry Person of the Year award.(CHICAGO) June 29, 2020— The 2020 NAMA Industry Person of the Year is Nicky Gacos, Owner, Colorado...
Office coffee service (OCS) operators face operational challenges as their customers’ locations reopen. In “Navigating the new landscape of OCS,” a webinar NAMA held June 25, ...
NAMA will honor its 2020 industry person, operator and allied member of the year on July 9 through a virtual celebration. (CHICAGO) June 24, 2020 — The 2020 winners of the NAMA...
NAMA has announced that the NAMA Foundation Scholarship will go to William Berna, route supervisor and customer service manager of Canteen of Coastal California.William Berna,...
CHICAGO, IL – MAY 5, 2020 – Following outreach to the nation’s governors to keep break rooms safe and open, NAMA announces the availability of new guidelines, including checklists...
NAMA Foundation Offers New Scholarships: Learn From Industry Experts And Advance Your CareerCHICAGO, IL – APRIL 30, 2020 – Today, the NAMA Foundation announces new scholarships...
NAMA's next Listening & Leading Town Hall will be held Tuesday, April 14, at 1 p.m. EDT. The subject will be Accessing Government Assistance & A Look Ahead. This open forum for...
NAMA published the following in an e-blast to membership at 4:55 p.m. CT Friday, March 20, 2020.Dear NAMA Member:In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to provide you with...
MARCH 4, 2020— Today, NAMA reaffirms with confidence that the 2020 NAMA Show will take place, as scheduled, May 6 – 8 in Nashville. In answer to exhibitors and attendees who have...
As part of the second annual National Vending Day, March 5, NAMA’s team is collaborating to deliver new values for prospective members, according to a press release. Available...
CHICAGO – February 26, 2020 – As part of the second annual National Vending Day – March 5 – NAMA’s education department is presenting a day-long marathon of industry education...
CHICAGO – February 24, 2020 – NAMA’s Vice President of Programs and Services Lindsey Nelson has been recognized with the Association Forum’s Association Professional Achievement...
Need to boost your point-of-sale equipment communications strategy? Ben White, director of education and training at NAMA, will provide an overview of the five components of a...
CHICAGO – February 13, 2020 – Today, NAMA’s Manager of Government Affairs, Wes Fisher, testified before the Washington, D.C. City Council on how banning cashless retail transactions...
Early bird rates for The NAMA Show 2020 will expire Tuesday, Feb. 4. Registration for the world's largest event for convenience service professionals, which will run from May ...
Associations Now has featured NAMA's Emerging Leaders Network as an example of a thriving professional development group formed by an organization. Eric Dell, senior vice president...
NAMA's Government Affairs team will hold a webinar at 2 p.m. ET Jan. 16 updating listeners on NAMA's advocacy engagement efforts in 2019 and what is coming up in state and federal...
CHICAGO – December 10, 2019 -- Industry veteran Ben White has joined NAMA as Director of Education & Training. His responsibilities will include overseeing the association’s education...
Attendee member or non-member registrations for The NAMA Show 2020 are 25 percent off today, until midnight PST Dec. 2, with discount code CYBER20, according to a NAMA e-blast...
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the below discussion guide Nov. 14 to gather information and begin its work on the new ENERGY STAR Version 3.0 standard...
For years, consumers have been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It’s also a meal that people skip eating at home if they’re running late. This gives ...
CHICAGO -- OCTOBER 29, 2019 – The industry made major news last week in New York City following the launch of the Public Health Commitment, designed to increase the percentage...
We asked industry leaders and members of the Automatic Merchandiser Editorial Advisory Board to weigh in on which trends impacted micro markets in 2019 and what operators need...
It’s 99 degrees outside as I write this — a record-breaking October temperature for Nashville — which feels really unfair since it’s technically supposed to be autumn, the season...
This morning the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its final rule to revise the type size requirements for calorie labeling on packaged foods sold in glass-front ...
CHICAGO – October 23, 2019 -- NAMA, with the support of the Partnership for a Healthier America and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, announced today that it has adopted...
NAMA has announced two activities to coincide with NAMA’s Coffee Tea & Water Show, which is Nov. 18-20 in Anaheim, CA.Registered attendees of the show can purchase up to six discounted...
Early bird tickets are still available for the 2019 NAMA Coffee, Tea & Water (CTW) show, to be held November 18-20 at the Anaheim Marriott. Register by September 12th and receive...
CHICAGO – September 3, 2019 – Developing customized FitPick marketing materials for your customer locations? Look no further than the NAMA website for camera ready art– available...
CHICAGO – August 22, 2019 – NAMA announced today the release of the latest version of the Multi-Drop Bus (MDB) standards – Version 4.3. This spring, NAMA VDI Task Force Chair ...
CHICAGO – August 8, 2019 – Joining 5,500 attendees focusing on topics ranging from criminal justice and heath care to taxes and transportation, NAMA’s Wes Fisher participated ...
What new products are available in the office coffee service (OCS) segment? Which consumer trends are truly driving change in OCS? What emerging technologies do OCS operators ...
CHICAGO – August 5, 2019 – The NAMA Foundation announced today that the 2018 Industry Census is now available to both members and non-members on the NAMA website. “The industry...
CHICAGO – JULY 31, 2019 – James A. Rost, NAMA President and CEO from 1988 – 1998, passed away July 22. Before joining NAMA he briefly served as Executive Vice President and a ...
CHICAGO – July 16, 2019 – NAMA announced today that its members have completed the initial phase of a process to develop a public health commitment with the goal to finalize it...
Q: What is the industry’s Public Health Commitment?A: It’s a public statement, a public acknowledgement and a public recognition that our industry chooses to be part of a solution...
Q: Eric, tell us a little about your background.A: Previously, I worked on Capitol Hill as chief of staff for a congressional member. Before that I practiced law, and kind of ...
CHICAGO – July 11, 2019 -- Today, NAMA CEO Carla Balakgie authored an OpEd on the truck driver shortage that appeared in Morning Consult: https://morningconsult.com/opinions/by...
Q: What can attendees of the NAMA Fly-In & Advocacy Summit Expect?A: First, it’s not too late to register — we look forward to folks registering up until the day before the event...
AUGUSTA, ME – Thanks to the re-establishment of the Maine State lobby day and quick mobilization, NAMA and the PineTree Vending Association (PTVA) were successful in defeating...
Q: Why do you think it's important for NAMA members to attend the Fly-In Summit this year?A: The same reason as every year — to help our industry. I take my hat off to NAMA for...
CHICAGO – June 18, 2019 – To keep pace with evolving industry needs, NAMA will provide camera ready art for FitPick – at no charge -- to enable operators the opportunity to create...
The annual convenience services show produced by NAMA brought 4,600 attendees to the Las Vegas Convention Center from April 24 to 26, 2019. With a tagline about endless possibilities...
CHICAGO – June 6, 2019 – Joining colleagues on Capitol Hill for the 2019 NAMA Fly-In & Advocacy Summit is important for the industry. For a business owner, it’s an efficient and...
Last week, California state regulators gave final approval to a proposed regulation stating that coffee does not pose a significant cancer risk, officially exempting coffee from...
How technology is applied to running your business and operations can shape not only success, but the relevance of an unattended retailer in an increasingly automated world. In...
Following an overwhelmingly successful 2019 NAMA Show, where the vibe was clearly optimistic, I asked some additional industry “heavyweights” if they felt the optimism was justified...
CHICAGO – May 8, 2019 – The action officially kicks off for the 2019 Fly-In & Advocacy Summit Monday evening, July 15.“We’re encouraging NAMA members to arrive Monday July 15 ...