European Vending Association Elects Officers At AGM, Hails Response To First-Ever EVEX

Held in conjunction with EVA’s 2015 Annual General Meeting here, EVEX, dubbed the “Wow vending experience,” was set up in the extensive shopping area of the María Zambrano railroad station, a terminus of the Alta Velocidad Española high-speed rail service.MALAGA, Spain — The European Vending Association reports that the first staging of its EVEX event achieved its objectives of highlighting the value of the vending industry to the public and the European authorities.

This year’s AGM took place in the Barceló Hotel, which is connected to the railroad station and shopping center, where association’s membership convened to vote on candidates for the EVA executive committee.

Chosen as representatives of the association’s national member groups are Gillian White of the Automatic Vendors Association (the United Kingdom and Ireland); Christian Mengus of the French association NAVSA (chambre syndicale Nationale de Vente et Services Automatiques); Dr. Aris Kaschefi of the German operators’ association Bundesverband der Deutschen Vending-Automatenwirtschaft e.V. (BDV); and Michele Evolvi of Italy’s Associazione (originally Confederazione) Italiana Distribuzione Automatica (CONFIDA). Chosen as a representative of national association managing directors is Raúl Rubio Fleitas of Spain’s Asociación Nacional Española de Distribuidores Automáticos (ANEDA).

Elected as a representative of the machine manufacturer segment is Paolo Ghidotti, N&W Global Vending. Jeff Alsop of Crane Payment Innovations is chosen as a representative of the Payment Systems and Vending Solutions segment, and Lavazza’s Sergio Telesco is elected from the Ingredient Suppliers category.

Chosen as representatives from the vending operations segment are, for international operators, Jan-Marck Vrijlandt of Selecta, who also was reelected as EVA president; for Northern Europe, Michael Maurer, Automaten Service Maurer; for Eastern Europe, Mastercup’s Michal Piotrowiak; and for Southern Europe, Xavier Arquerons of Alliance Vending.

Elected to represent the water solutions segment is Hilmar Walde of Brita Group; chosen from the office coffee service segment is Maurits de Jong of de Jong Duke; and from the cup suppliers category, Massimo Daolio of Flo.

The Conference on Innovations, and educational program held in conjunction with the AGM, was highlighted by presentations on adapting businesses to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. Enzo Baglieri, a professor at Bocconi University (Milan, Italy) emphasized the importance of providing a real experience for and inspiring positive emotions in consumers using vending machines. Alfonso Alcántara, a consultant on professional reinvention, delivered a thought-provoking presentation on the power of positive change.

Because rules and legislation in one European country often inspire similar initiatives in other markets, discussions were held to help companies prepare for potential developments. Comparing best practices between similar companies also gave the participants practical ideas that might be implemented in their own businesses.

ANEDA, the Spanish association, conducted its seventh “think about vending” day during the EVA meeting. The VII Jornada Piensa en Vending mini exhibition was set up in the corridors of the conference hotel, showcasing the industry’s latest products and developments.

EVA also welcomed the mayor of Málaga as a special guest. He delivered the concluding address at EVEX 2015, thanking the participants for highlighting their inventive and advanced industry in his city.

The European Vending Association is a not-for-profit organization established in 1994 and based in Brussels. It represents the interests of the European coffee service and vending industry before the European Institutions and other authorities.

– See more at: Vending Times

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