At last year's show there was a real step change, and over the years there has been an increase in specifiers, shifting away from a trade focus. We deal with around 200 operators at the top end of the market, so we pretty much know everyone in the business and overall felt the number of operators was down.

Personally, I am looking forward to seeing what is new and what has changed in the vending industry since the last exhibition. Innovation is key in our industry, and collectively speaking, we rarely stand still. Taking AVEX to Birmingham keeps it fresher; yet reducing the number of days will make it harder for all concerned to concentrate their business networking into a shorter period.

AVEX gives us all the opportunity of benchmarking our businesses against each other and perhaps more importantly gives our customers - the operators - the chance to see all their suppliers side by side. AVEX has the added benefit over the smaller shows through the quality of their seminars, and the awards programme, which recognises industry innovation, sustainability and technology giving us all something to aspire to.

My trepidation springs from the fact that we will be making some significant investment into an area with no tangible returns. I certainly do not expect to be selling machines from the stand. However, we must all make investment decisions based on our own circumstances, and since the reorganisation at the AVA these decisions do not need to be clouded by the perception that the AVA is over reliant on the money earned by the exhibition.

I do believe the industry needs a bi-annual exhibition and how much the exhibitors spend on their stands will be determined by simple economics. Who knows exactly how local and global economies will affect AVEX, as we prepare and plan ahead - but I am sure that N&W will be present.

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