VENDING ASSOCIATIONS


European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA)


Delivering concrete value to EVA members in 2026


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eing an EVA member brings far more than representation alone. It means access to reliable market intelligence,


early insights into EU policies that directly affect your business, meeting new contacts, and participation in projects that will define the next generation of the industry. In 2026, the work of the EVA will focus on five key pillars:


1. EVA Smartlink – from concept to reality After intensive efforts within our working group, 2026 marks a decisive step for the EVA Smartlink, our new industry communication protocol. This year, we will move from development to real-world demonstration, including a live demo during Venditalia in May. The objective is clear: provide the industry with a future-proof, secure and interoperable architecture that supports digitalisation, AI applications and vendor-independent innovation.


2. A renewed EVA Market Report – deeper insights, stronger decisions This year, the EVA will launch a new version of our annual Market Report, making refinements and strengthening the analytical depth of the report. Access to trustworthy, comparable European-wide data


remains one of the most tangible competitive advantages of EVA membership.


3. EVEX 2026 – Vienna as our next meeting point The EVA flagship event, EVEX 2026, will take place in Vienna from 13-15 October, bringing together decision-makers from across the European vending, OCS and automated retail ecosystem.


4. A new strategy for a changing market 2026 will also see the rollout of a renewed EVA strategy, designed to respond more closely to the evolving needs of both the market and our members.


5. Defending members’ interests at EU level Finally, and perhaps most critically, EVA will continue to actively defend the industry’s interests across key EU legislative dossiers with direct operational and financial impact. The EVA wishes its members as well as the wider industry a successful start to 2026.


AVA 2025 Review: A Year of Progress and a Confident Step Toward 2026


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he AVA 2025 Annual Review is now available, providing an in-depth review of the last 12 months, highlighting trends and looking forward to the challenges and


opportunities facing the vending and automated retail industry over the next year and beyond. AVA members have continued to show resilience while


the industry moved past its pre pandemic performance. Diversification and technological evolution have broadened the appeal to consumers and satisfied the demand at high-foot fall environments such as airports, train stations and gyms, while continuing to maintain quality standards. Throughout 2025, the focus of the AVA team has been on helping members cut through the noise. Whether through our policy work, conversations with government or day-to-day guidance, our aim is simple: to help members deliver the high standards that clients and customers now expect. The annual Census once again proved essential as a resource for


operators planning sustainable growth, both this year and beyond. As a core benefit of being an AVA member, the full Census and Market Report provide critical information and insight. Research reveals that product revenue rose 13% year-on-year, reaching £2.14 billion in 2014, while, with associated categories included, the total industry value now stands at more than £3.6 billion. AVA members have also benefited from training programmes,


quality audits and support through the Business Support Service. A major focus in 2025 has been the redevelopment of the Engineer’s Electrical Safety Awareness training, with a new two-day face-to-face model introduced. For more information on our training programmes, please contact David.Bamford@the-ava.com. The AVAs events calendar has always been a highlight and


2025 was no exception. From our golf days in Wetherby and Surrey, to our sold-out Christmas Luncheon at the prestigious 8 Northumberland in London, our members enjoyed opportunities to network, celebrate achievements and build relationships. Looking to 2026, the focus will be on stronger advocacy,


more training, continued support and a busy events calendar. Members can expect a year that brings new opportunities along with the guidance needed to make the most of them.


To read the AVA 2025 Annual Review, go to www.the-ava.com The Automatic Vending Association (AVA)


vendinginternational-online.com |


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