Those for whom the environment is high on the agenda are especially anticipating following the Green Road to see how the industry is facing up to the environmental challenge at every level. Also new this year are the Zenith International Publishing 2007 Cooler & Vending Awards, celebrating innovation in the bottled water cooler, POU water cooler and vending industry worldwide. Expectations are high with a record number of exhibitors taking space and a truly international representation among pre-show visitor registrations.

In anticipation of AVEX, VI made a trip to Dubai to visit the combined KioskCom & Vending Middle East Expo and checked out ScotHot in Glasgow - our reports are on pages 8 to 10.

Also in this issue, VI looks at the challenges in the Hot Beverage market arising from improved high street availability, choice and quality which has resulted in higher consumer expectations of beverages served out-of-home. No longer will the British public accept the insipid lukewarm liquid that used to masquerade as coffee, tea that alternated between weak and watery and so stewed it would strip the enamel from your teeth, or hot chocolate that more closely resembled a powdery gruel. The vending industry is responding magnificently: some of the products developed for improved quality and added value are featured in this issue and VI is will be covering more in next month’s AVEX Special.

This month has seen a change at VI with Charlotte Martin moving on to an exciting new career in the fashion world. I’ve been pulled out of the back room where I have been editing, designing and producing VI for the past twelve years, and asked to fill her shoes. I’ve met a number of you in the past and join the rest of the VI team of Sophie Furr, Lynda Lee and Alastair Weston in looking forward to renewing old acquaintances and making new ones at AVEX.

Regards

Rowena Blackford

Acting Editor