In this new economy, the National Automatic Merchandising Association will demonstrate how the vending industry is reinventing itself during The OneShow, which runs from April 28-30 at McCormick Place West in Chicago.

“The OneShow is the only place and time in 2010 that folks in the beverage, snack food, candy and coffee industries will be able to learn about the reinvention of our industry, to meet the key players behind it, and to see what’s causing all the excitement,” says Rich Geerdes, NAMA’s president and CEO.

The OneShow has been designed to help attendees discover new ideas for increasing their own sales and profits, find answers to some of their most pressing questions, and learn about new research findings that can help them build their businesses.

The education sessions are free to registered attendees and cover such topics as using social media to build business, green and sustainable solutions, advances in cashless vending, vending store of the future, and a variety of government affairs issues.

Additionally, the show floor will be dotted with iSpots, a brand new emblem that’s designed to indicate what’s new among exhibitors. All iSpot entries will be evaluated by an independent judging panel for eligibility to receive a NAMA Innovation Award, also new this year and intended to recognize the innovations that are changing our industry.

The lineup of keynote speakers includes former ABC “Nightline” anchor Ted Koppel, former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain and former quarterback Terry Bradshaw. Plus, Mike Ditka will emcee NAMA’s Industry Awards ceremony, slated for April 29.

In 2009, NAMA’s board began implementation of a new strategic plan intended to reinvent the vending industry, drive operator profitability and growth, and change perceptions among customers, consumers, lawmakers and news media – in short, everyone who “touches” the vending experience.
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As part of that plan, a comprehensive program approved in 2008 was actively engaged to combine NAMA’s Spring Expo and National Expo into The OneShow, signaling a major change in the history of the 50-year-old spring show and 63-year-old national show.

Go to www.vending.org for more information on the show.