The Automatic Vending Association and the EDWCA kicked off the festive season with their annual Christmas Luncheon at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in London on December 7. A total of 230 guests enjoyed the day of networking and Christmas cheer.
The day began with guests greeted by Paul Smith, the Toastmaster, and welcomed with some complimentary drinks. Then after being called to lunch they were treated to a three-course lunch while being entertained by award-winning Twistina who created some Christmas hats with balloons.
In between courses there was an auction and a raffle to raise money for two worthy causes; Mind and Change People. Mind is a mental health charity that helps thousands of people every year as one in four adults experience a mental health issue each year and need support. Change People is working to help people with learning disabilities enter the world of work in the UK and change the stigma about disabilities. There were three auction prizes which included a holiday to Turkey and six raffle prizes including a Fortnum and Mason Champagne and Chocolate Box and a £100 John Lewis voucher. Overall the event raised over £3,000.
After dessert, there was a surprise in the form of an organist and singer who played a few Christmas tunes and later many of the guests continued the party at a nearby wine bar, The Forge, with a complimentary glass of bubbly and a drinks voucher.
Jonathan Hart, Chief Executive of the AVA said: “We would like to thank everyone who came and made our 7th Christmas Luncheon such a brilliant event. We couldn’t host an event like this without your continued support. A final thank you to our sponsors; Lavazza Coffee UK Ltd, Huhtamaki UK Ltd, Scobie Vending Services, Evoca UK Ltd, Nupik-Flo UK Ltd, Siemens Financial Services Ltd, Nestle Professional and Hilton Birmingham Metropole. We hope you all have a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year and we look forward to continuing to work for you in 2018 and beyond!”
James Anderton, Chairman of the EDWCA commented: “As another year glides smoothly away, what a great finish to 2017 gathered together celebrating in the wonderful Merchant Taylors hall with friends and colleagues. The success of these events is always down to a huge effort from the AVA and EDWCA team, pulling all the components together and curate a fabulous day of networking and celebration as well as a poignant reminder of the importance of our own charitable actions. In the end however it is the membership that make these events so memorable and I wish to thank everyone for the continued participation in all the events that are so meticulously laid on. Merry Christmas and I hope that 2018 is a prosperous one for all.”
