From 5-7 February, the European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA) attended Intergastra in Stuttgart. This marked the first-ever participation of the EVA in that event, where we shared a stand with the German Vending Association (BDV), who forged a new partnership with Intergastra aimed at revamping the trade show experience for the Vending & OCS (Office Coffee Service) sector.
The collaboration between BDV and Intergastra saw the dedication of Hall 8 specifically for vending & coffee, emphasising the intrinsic synergies between vending, HORECA (hotel/restaurant/cafe), and OCS, particularly in the realm of coffee—the cornerstone of the industry.
While not all suppliers opted to participate in this pioneering endeavour, those present expressed satisfaction with the caliber and quantity of visitors. Intergastra itself saw a remarkable turnout, with 88,000 visitors over the course of the five-day event, surpassing initial expectations.
For the EVA, supporting our member BDV was important, alongside the opportunity to engage with existing members and prospective entrants venturing into the Office Coffee Service or exploring innovative unattended vending solutions.
Erwin Wetzel, the Director General of EVA, along with Aris Kaschefi, the Director General of BDV, took the stage to elucidate market trends and consumer expectations within workplace gastronomy. Emphasising the diversity of needs within the industry, they underscored the necessity for flexibility and diverse concepts tailored to meet evolving demands.
This new collaboration between Intergastra and the BDV should go on for the next two editions and establish a new trade show for the vending & OCS sector in Germany.