As an alternative to exhibiting at AVEX 2015, this year specialist vending software provider Vendman organised its own unique event for its customers: ‘In Pursuit of Excellence’.
Held over two days at the Welcombe Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, the event saw leading independent UK vending operators gather to reflect on ‘excellence’ – what it means, how to recognise it, and how to deliver it.
“They say you should never mix business with pleasure,” said MD Rob Little, “But I say, why not? There are dozens of opportunities throughout the year for vending operators to get together (and some of the ensuing ‘lads nights out’ have been memorable), but we wanted our event to be as much a ‘social’ as a ‘conference’.
“The cross fertilisation of ideas and experiences that happens when we get together with a group of our customers is an important element of our on-going efforts to achieve excellence.”
A number of speakers shared their thoughts on the topic, including Vendman product manager Nathan Little; NIVO chairman Graham Kingaby; former chief executive Associated Vending Services (AVS) Brian Tustain; Dave Ward, MD of N&W and chairman of the Automatic Vending Association (AVA); Tim Bennet of Access; Planet Vending’s Ian Reynolds-Young and racehorse trainer Ian Williams.
