While AVEX is unquestionably a very efficient way of meeting a good number of clients and can be an ideal vehicle for new product launches, vending is a relatively small industry where most companies already trade with each other, have done so in the past or at least know each other. The amount of new business secured as a direct result of AVEX is questionable and, as a result, accurately quantifying the return on investment is virtually impossible.

The logical next step at this point is to start AVEX ‘bashing' but I'm not going to do that even though it has almost become fashionable in recent times to do so. Having reflected, instead I would like to offer a few positive comments:

1. Exhibiting is expensive and as exhibitions go AVEX is not that expensive.
2. We live in a free world. No company is forced to exhibit at AVEX or construct a large, expensive stand once there.
3. The AVA runs AVEX. This means the profit stays in our industry, funding the future activities of the AVA for the benefit of all of us. For example, as EU and UK legislation continues at a pace we need a good and strong Trade Association
4. Without AVEX, would we ever have had the Quality Initiative, which seeks to improve quality in our industry and provide a differentiator for members? Now we have it I don't think members would want to lose it.  And would we be able to employ two Quality Co-ordinators to ensure the continuous improvement of service standards?
5. Judged independently, the quality of the AVEX exhibition is high and it is a showcase for our industry in the UK.

So how do I reconcile my initial concerns with the positive points above? 

Most things in life have to change as time moves on. What works one day might not work the next. I believe AVEX is a vital part of our UK industry and has been a huge success over recent years. In my view it will still be important in the future but it, too, needs to change, not dramatically but subtly and from what I see the AVA is listening to its members. Shorter show, different venue, initiatives to help minimise costs for exhibitors, hotels on or very near the complex at good rates to encourage easier networking after the show, etc. As a result I am very optimistic for a great show in 2009.

In closing, one last comment. I attended the NIVEX show for the first time last year and liked it a lot, for its one-day format, relatively low cost and for its positioning as a true Trade show. But it is not a substitute for AVEX. It plays a different role and I think there is room for both.