Management

Northwest Automatic Vending Association Educates Lawmakers At Oregon Legislative Day

March 24, 2015

Source NAMA

First row includes: Dave Brown, S & S Vending; Kim Hellner, Evergreen Vending; Sandy Larson, NAMA; Jason Brown, S & S Vending (NAVA Treasurer); Glen Boreth, Canteen Vending; Steve Vargas; Atnip Company (NAVA President) Back row includes: Rick Searle, Evergreen Vending; Lou Leberti, Vend West Services; Dan Lind, Cascade Vending; John Powell, Powell & Associates, (NAVA Legislative Consultant) — First row includes: Dave Brown, S & S Vending; Kim Hellner, Evergreen Vending; Sandy Larson, NAMA; Jason Brown, S & S Vending (NAVA Treasurer); Glen Boreth, Canteen Vending; Steve Vargas; Atnip Company (NAVA President)
Back row includes: Rick Searle, Evergreen Vending; Lou Leberti, Vend West Services; Dan Lind, Cascade Vending; John Powell, Powell & Associates, (NAVA Legislative Consultant)

(CHICAGO) March 23, 2015– The Northwest Automatic Vending Association (NAVA) hosted a legislative day recently at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem.

The NAVA members met with their state senators and representatives to educate and inform them about the industry and its contributions to the state’s economy. The group distributed product sample bags and information about the association and NAMA’s FitPick program to the 90 legislative offices.

The event focused on educating lawmakers on the refreshment services industry. "NAVA members from Oregon were able to talk with their legislators about the industry and share information about their individual companies,” said NAVA Legislative Consultant John Powell. “At the present time we are not dealing with any legislation that will impact our industry, so the meetings focused on educating our lawmakers about current issues and trends in the industry,” Powell concluded.

NAVA President Steve Vargas said he was pleased with the outcome of the event. “Our Legislative day in Oregon was a huge success for NAVA and the vending and refreshment services industry in the state,” Vargas said. “The event was very well received by our legislators. We received a great deal of feedback from the legislators we met with, and they asked a number of questions about better-for-you options in vending machines and the use of locally sourced products. I am looking forward to NAVA’s upcoming legislative day in Olympia, Washington.” Vargas concluded.

“The Legislative Day was an excellent opportunity for NAVA members from Oregon to interact with their legislators and educate them on our industry and the role they play in the local economy,” said Sandy Larson, NAMA Senior Director of Government Affairs. “The group had a total of nine individual meetings with legislators and staff and used this opportunity to educate them on NAMA’s FitPick nutrition initiative and the industry’s commitment to educating consumers about informed choice.”

Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $42 billion U.S. vending and refreshment service industry. With more than 1800 member companies – including many of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research for its membership. Visit NAMA on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.