Atlantic Coast Exposition hails successful 2021 event in Myrtle Beach
Source Atlantic Coast Exposition
The Embassy Suites at Kingston Plantation in Myrtle Beach, SC, was the site for the Atlantic Coast Exposition where operators and suppliers from across the country gathered for industry education and to see and show new products and equipment.
This year’s exposition theme was “Rock of ACEs,” creating a fun and energetic atmosphere. According to the show’s organizers, the “exhibit hall was packed and attendees from dozens of states and Canada took part in this convention that is the largest of its kind on the East Coast.
This year’s ACE comeback took place from Oct. 14 to 16. Last year’s event was cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis.
ACE’s education program included a presentation from the National Automatic Merchandising Association’s Mike Goscinski, senior director of external affairs, who provided a legislative update. Technology sessions were led by Ravi Venkatesan of Cantaloupe Inc., Jim Versical of 365 Retail Markets and Melissa Brown of Well Bean Coffee Roasters.
ACE is cosponsored by the North Carolina Vending Association, South Carolina Vending Association and Virginia Automatic Merchandising Association. During the show, the associations recognized outstanding industry achievement at the annual awards breakfast.
Canteen’s Chris Harrison received the NCVA Vendor of the Year Award. Burdette Beckmann Inc.’s Waine Ratliff won the NCVA Supplier of the Year Award.
JoDee Jolley, who recently retired from Canteen, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Patrick Shaw of Dynamite Roasters was presented with an inscription to honor his yearlong commitment as the 2021 ACE planning committee chair. Likewise, Shaw presented Canteen’s Karen Harlow with a plaque thanking her for spearheading ACE 2020’s virtual program.
Trade show booth awards were bestowed on Red Bull (single), Crane Payment Innovations (multi) and Vistar (mega). ACE’s key sponsors are Coca-Cola Bottling Co. Consolidated, Pepsi Bottling Ventures, Cantaloupe Inc., Vendors Supply and Vistar.
Planning for ACE 2022 kicked off on the final day of this year’s show. Next year’s conference and trade show will run from Oct. 13 to 15, once again at the Embassy Suites.
TayCar Inc. of Cary, NC, provides administrative services for the annual exposition, as well as for NCVA and VAMA. Capitol Consultants of Cayce, SC, provides administration for SCVA.
ACE is an industry-only event and registration is open to anyone in vthe ending, office coffee or foodservice business, including those involved in contract foodservice in schools, colleges and hospitals. Additional information is available from the ACE office: Visit atlanticcoastexpo.com, email [email protected], or call (919) 387-1221 for information.
