AVA Live celebrates 90 years of British vending

The UK Vending Association (AVA) recently celebrated its 90th Anniversary in style on 13th and 14th June at the Hilton Metropole in London.

AVA Live – the name of the completely new event for the industry – kicked off with a party on the Thursday evening with more than 250 people, as well as revealing the first glimpse of an excellent display of vending machines from the 1920s until the present day; a true vending museum.

While the party ushered in the celebrations in an informal and jovial setting, the following day was dedicated to more serious topics, such as the debate around compostable cups, training engineers, and technical workshops on new legislation (one roundtable was hosted by the EVA) amongst others. These detailed sessions were complimented by wider presentations from NAMA’s CEO Carla Balakgie, a panel discussion on the environmental impact of vending and a typically passionate speech by Alistair Campbell.

AVA Live as promised was a significant change from the previous AVEX International exhibitions, and early indications from attendees appeared to welcome the style and content of the event.

The EVA congratulates the AVA in reaching this truly momentous anniversary, and for the organisation of AVA Live. The Association has since revealed that the event is not intended to be a one off and so the EVA is intrigued to see how the it develops over the next years. What is clear is that an event bringing a range of informative, technical and other business-practical sessions to attendees can only provide value and benefits to participating companies, and the UK industry as a whole.