SEVA Finalizing Plans For 2018 Conference

(Jackson, MS) – The Southeastern Vending Association (SEVA) is finalizing plans for the SEVA 2018 conference themed “NEXT” – The Future of the Industry. The 2018 event marks the 13th anniversary of SEVA. The conference is scheduled for August 7-9, 2018, at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach, FL. The event attracts more than 250 attendees with more than 50 operator companies being represented. As a whole, the SEVA operators represent over $400 million in sales volume, 1,500 routes and 60,000 machines. 

SEVA 2018 will offer multiple professional development opportunities over two mornings; afternoons filled with group activities including golf and volleyball; and enhanced evening events. The convention kicks-off with the Opening Night Deck Party allowing attendees to mingle, catch-up with industry friends, operators and suppliers, and also build new relationships. The second night will feature special entertainment during a seated dinner. Thursday will include the new Sponsor Showcase lunch, which affords attendees valued time with sponsors, learning about their company and products. 

“We are excited about our 13th year and hosting it again at Hilton Sandestin,” said Pam Beals, SEVA Chairman. “Our family-friendly event will again include industry updates, with vending changes and governmental affairs, in a full-service beachfront resort. However, with the 2018 conference, I really wanted SEVA to take time to fully evaluate the vending industry and what the future holds. With technology and new trends, everything is changing so quickly. With this in mind – NEXT, SEVA 2018 – will be centered around this future outlook and what we can expect to see from an operator and supplier standpoint.” 

SEVA is comprised of six state vending association members including Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. SEVA’s purpose is to facilitate an annual convention allowing the state association members to network with their suppliers and individual members. 

Originally formed in 1981 as the Vending Machine Association of the Gulf South (VMAGS), the organization’s purpose was to merge the annual tri-state convention held by Alabama Vending Association (AVA), Mississippi Automatic Merchandising Association (MAMA) and Vending Machine Operators of Louisiana (VMOL). VMAGS was officially incorporated in 1981 in Alabama. In 2003, Georgia Automatic Merchandising Council (GAMC) joined the organization followed by Tennessee Automatic Merchandising Association (TAMA) and the Automatic Merchandising Association of Florida (AMAF). Due to the growing participation in VMAGS, the name changed to Southeastern Vending Association (SEVA) to include all its members. 

SEVA will soon announce the speaker line-up and featured Wednesday night entertainment. For more information about SEVA 2018, to register or sponsor the convention, visit southeastvending.org.