NAMA honors Rep. Maxine Waters for payments policy leadership

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., was recognized as NAMA's 2026 Industry Champion. National Automatic Merchandising Association highlighted Rep. Waters' work on payments policy and her support for ready access to essentials through convenience services.

Christine Cochran, NAMA president and CEO, presented the award June 10 during a ceremony at the Rayburn House Office Building. NAMA senior leadership and industry executives attended.

"The convenience services industry shows up every single day in the places and during the hours where brick-and-mortar retail isn't always available," Cochran said in a statement. "For frontline workers, third-shift employees and for underserved communities, that kind of access isn't incidental, it's essential. Congresswoman Waters understands that, and she has shown it through her engagement with the small businesses and workers who make this industry run and the communities they serve. We are proud to recognize her for it."

NAMA noted that the convenience services industry delivers daily essentials through unattended retail, including vending machines and micro markets, as well as workplace amenity programs such as office coffee and pantry services. The association said the industry contributes $41 billion to the U.S. economy and supports more than 171,000 jobs.