It was the first in-person event organized by the European Vending and Coffee Service Association (EVA) since the COVID-19 in early 2020. EVA said it was encouraged to see a high turnout for its Oct. 21 Annual General Meeting held live in Milan, and streamed online.
Of the 160 registered participants, 80 made the trip to the live conference site, Milan's Radisson Blu hotel. SandenVendo, 365 Retail Markets and Evoca Group were the AGM's main sponsors.
The European vending and OcS conference, themed “shaping the industry for the new normal,” focused on ensuring both the strategy of EVA and the member companies are ready for and adapting to the changed business landscape as a result of COVID-19.
Discussions between the EVA director general Erwin Wetzel and industry experts were divided into three segments: the expectations of operators, the digital transformation and the key equipment needed to ensure that the vending and OCS industry is ready to embrace a changed unattended retail environment.
During the conference, a recent vacancy on EVA's executive committee was filled. A vote took place between Sergio Barbarisi (BWT) and Maurits de Jong (Rerun Strategy) for a board seat on EVA's OCS committee. De Jong, EVA'S former treasurer, won by a narrow margin.
European Vending Experience 2022 comeback
Separately, EVA announced the return of its European Vending Experience, scheduled to take place during Venditalia from May 25 to 28 in Milan. EVEX will be held in collaboration with the show's producers and the Italian vending association known as CONFIDA.
