The short answer is that there is not room for two shows that do the same thing.

There is no question that the organisation that the AVA brings to the AVEX exhibition results in a first class level of professionalism - both in the pre show arrangements and during the event itself. AVEX remains the ‘show piece' event in the calendar providing an excellent platform for companies to showcase their products to the world at large. And therein lies the problem. AVEX remains a show basically attended by the vending industry. Whereas it should be a show put on by the vending industry for others to attend. More time and focus needs to be placed on attracting the 100,000s of potentially interested visitors from a wide range of backgrounds, B&I, Leisure, Travel, Retail, Education to name but a few.

AVEX should become the outward looking event for the industry and the AVA needs to do far more work in this respect. Not only could AVEX do a better job at brining in new customers but it should also profile build for the industry from a recruitment perspective - the industry's success depends on attracting the brightest young people to come and develop the concepts, products and systems.

I am pleased to see that the show organisers have listened to feedback with AVEX 09 moving to Birmingham - that will improve accessibility and reduce costs, including the very significant accommodation and entertainment costs for both exhibitors and visitors associated with London. Similarly, reducing the show to two days instead of three makes sense as it makes the days busier and reduces accommodation costs. But the real challenge is for the organisers to market the show better to the world at large ensuring that the event stimulates demand for quality vending machines, products and concepts from potential customers.

So where does that leave NIVEX? In my opinion NIVEX is different, it's a show for the industry - a chance for operators and suppliers to come together and on a reasonably informal level. The costs associated with the show are realistic and the basic small footprint shell scheme layouts ensure that is affordable. The show could benefit from a little more advanced planning and professionalism in arrangements but must resist the temptation to become more grandiose. Having said this, I think NIVEX could look towards providing training for vending people - the show could provide seminars and break out sessions on some of the hot topics of the day e.g. fair & ethical sourced ingredients, trans fats and health, food labelling and cash handling which would be of benefit not just to vending company principles but to their staff as well.

I see no reason why it should not become a firm part of the calendar every year and a North and South show makes sense as well.

In conclusion then NIVEX can afford to be a show within the industry, for the industry - AVEX on the other hand needs make the step change to become an outward facing billboard for the industry to the world at large. The industry and the show organisers in particular need to differentiate their offerings and broaden all of our horizons.

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