|
NewsFlash
This website maintained by
|
CoinopTODAY.com
Balanced for Life, Expanded Educational Programs, Priceless Research Insights Just A Few of the Many Programs and Services Delivered to Members Chicago, IL— Despite a number of unique challenges and opportunities within the industry and economically, the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) delivered a sweeping array of programs and services that pushed the industry forward in 2006 according to a report sent to association members today. The seven page report details the many accomplishments of the association including an expanded Balanced for Life program, expanded educational programs and insights about the future of the industry thanks to an exhaustive consumer research initiative funded by the association’s Endowing the Future campaign.In discussing the report NAMA President and CEO Richard M. Geerdes, NCE said, “We know that members belong to the NAMA because of the programs and services that we deliver to help them succeed. We are proud of how we responded to the challenges we all faced in 2006, as well as the programs and services we put into place to protect everyone’s future. We hope our members have found them useful.” While the full report is available from NAMA, some of the highlights include: Balanced for Life and the Image of our Industry: Balanced for Life (BFL), the association’s national health and wellness initiative, expanded into the workplace and continued to protect the future of and enhance the image of the industry during 2006. With the focus expanding beyond schools to the workplace, there are more turn-key programs, actions and tools for members to help deliver the Industry’s message about the importance of balancing calories consumed with calories burned; the importance of daily physical activity; and the importance of teaching people of all ages about the elements of a healthy, balanced diet. More information about the campaign and all of the Operator Tool Box elements are available at www.balancedforlife.net. NAMA also responded to misleading and negative vending and coffee service advertisements and articles, successfully getting retractions, apologies, and/or commitments to work for positive image ads in the future. In addition, the association generated a continual stream of positive consumer press, locally and nationally, with a wide variety of articles, television and radio interviews and Expo coverage clips. Expanded Educational Offerings NAMA’s educational offerings expanded significantly in 2006 as well, beginning with the unveiling of the new Supervisor Development Program which has developed into one of the most popular educational programs. The senior level Executive Development Program continued its strong performance with excellent participation and value almost too strong for words, so say those who attended. In addition, NAMA and MSU introduced an on-line food safety course targeted at vending and foodservice workers for certification or re-certification as a food safety manager. Finally, driven by member demand, we developed and introduced the NAMA Foodservice Operations Manual, rolled out to strong acclaim as an operational tool that greatly complements the NAMA arsenal of training and management materials. The Manual is available in paper form or on CD ROM. University Partnerships In 2006 NAMA expanded the industry’s working relationships with Washington State University, the University of Nevada Las Vegas, Georgia State University and St. Joseph’s University, extending the reach of Vending/Coffee Service education to hospitality education curriculums, building on the success of the Michigan State University relationship. Government & Regulatory Affairs: Protecting Our Members’ Interests A network of NAMA team members worked with State Councils in legislatures across the country to protect the interests of our members. Some of those initiatives include: • Promoted the Dollar Coin on Capitol Hill and elsewhere, using personal contact, trade press articles and consumer editorials to focus public attention on the positive benefits of using the coin as well as the financial gain to U.S. taxpayers. • Worked with the U.S. Mint on implementation of the 2005 Presidential Dollar Coin Act, which the government hopes will return momentum and interest in the coin as well as broaden its circulation and usage. NAMA members heard first hand about this from the Director of the US Mint who spoke at the NAMA National Expo. • Worked with the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) as they developed and implemented the next round of paper currency changes, at the same time successfully preventing lower denomination redesign efforts. NAMA made sure that key industry currency equipment manufacturers were part of the introduction team, and communicated those results across the industry. • Filed an Amicus Brief (friend of the court) in connection with the American Council of the Blind lawsuit in federal court asking the Treasury to redesign all U.S. currency to make it easily identifiable by blind individuals. This could entail making currency denominations different in size, and would require replacing bill acceptors in vending machines. NAMA made sure the Court is aware of the potential damage and cost to our industry if such relief were granted. Late in the year, the District Court found in favor of the Blind suit, and NAMA continued to work with the U.S. Treasury as they sought to shape their response and next steps. NAMA’s ongoing backing of its affiliated State Councils through its State Council Support Program passed the $1 million mark since program inception in 1992. Spring and National Expos Both the Spring and National Expos were successful, high-energy and well attended events. At the National Expo in Orlando, the association introduced a completely new format, opening Wednesday afternoon and closing late Friday for the exhibit floor. The highly successful National Awards Banquet was moved to Thursday night. The results of exciting new consumer vending research were given at the well-attended Opening Session, and turnout was exceptional for education programs. Everyone had the weekend to enjoy the fantastic attractions in Orlando. The economy and continued industry consolidation did result in a few less exhibitors and attendees versus prior years. For 2007, the Spring Expo moves from the convention center to Mandalay Bay, a move already generating a new level of excitement and anticipation. Coffee Services NAMA continued to meet or exceed the goals established by the NAMA-NCSA merger as we updated OCS training materials and networking forums, as well as Knowledge Source partners and education programs. In addition, the NAMA Quality Coffee Certification Program format was upgraded to keep it current and fresh, and was once again sold-out at both Expos. In addition, custom-tailored segments were added at the MSU Executive Development program as well. NAMA also worked to improve visibility, positioning, size and marketing of the Coffee Service Pavilion at both Expos to meet growing demand, which resulted in a continued growth in reputation and participation. Technology NAMA continued to represent the industry’s interests in machine energy usage standards with both federal agencies and some states that are also pursuing their own initiatives. Specifically, after working to represent the industry’s position, NAMA advised the industry about the revised National Electrical Code which requires ground fault interrupters in vending machines at some point in the future, and worked with the government on implementation. In addition, with the assistance of the NAMA Endowed Professor at Michigan State University, Dr. Michael Kasavana, NAMA helped facilitate a technology conference between a major operator group and providers of payment technologies which resulted in a field test and positive movement forward on this initiative. Finally, interaction and work with representatives from Europe and Japan relative to international standards for the application of data format and transfer for consumer use of cell phones to make vended purchases went on, as did continued discussions resolving developmental issues on the implementation of DEX by operators and revisions to the EVA-DTS document. International Relations & Outreach NAMA and the European Vending Association formalized the creation of the Worldwide Vending Association (WVA), designed to give the world industry community a common voice on issues that include but are not limited to health and wellness, coinage and currency and technology standards. There are four North American representatives and three European representatives on the WVA Board, and representation has extended to 20 countries worldwide. Endowing the Future NAMA’s strategic capital campaign, ENDOWING THE FUTURE, has now raised more than $4.6 million. ENDOWING THE FUTURE is providing the resources needed to fund the extremely important Balanced for Life initiative, but also funds a variety educational programs and initiatives as well. ENDOWING THE FUTURE also funds targeted consumer research that members can use to improve sales in both the coffee service and vending segments. For example, using the services of widely recognized pollster Harris OnLine, NAMA conducted a national vending consumer research project to get and share direct and unfiltered feedback from customers. It focused on all the key issues that drive vending growth and profitability, now and in the future. The highlights of this research were presented at the National Expo and are now available for members at the NAMA website. NAMA is currently identifying practical research in applications of technology to improve profitability; specific strategies to better understand the marketplace and identify new markets; and conduct timely assessments of new products and consumer trends.” Concluded Geerdes, “While we are very proud of our accomplishments in 2006, we’re already hard at work developing the programs and services that will help our members in 2007. Whether it’s new educational programs or help evaluating emerging new technology, you can be sure NAMA will be working to create the resources our members need to succeed.” NAMA is the national trade association of the food and refreshment vending, coffee service and foodservice management industries including on-site, commissary, catering, & mobile. Its membership is comprised of service companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to operating service companies. The basic mission of the association, to collectively advance and promote the automatic merchandising and coffee service industries, still guides NAMA today as it did in 1936, the year of the organization’s founding. Jan. 10, 2007 |
|
||||||
