News | Industry Updates Online vending & coffee solutions hub launches


The European Vending and Coffee Services Association (EVA) will launch a year-long virtual industry platform during an event on 27 & 28 May. The Vending & Coffee Solutions Hub


has been designed as a unique virtual platform where participants are able to meet the major European industry players, starting with its launch event and continuing for a full year. Upon registration, participants will


access the Hub through its virtual lobby which provides a choice between the three main areas: the Auditorium, the Exhibition Hall and the Lounge Room. The Auditorium will feature regular


conferences and webinars, Q&A sessions and speaking opportunities. During the launch, a full programme will cover a range of topics including the future of cash and digital payments, developments in packaging, changing consumer behaviours, new business for vending, coffee trends and sustainable practices in the industry. These topical speeches will be complemented with input from sponsors and expert speeches. Another key element of the Hub is the


Exhibition Hall where the latest industry innovations can be discovered, and business leads and contacts can be made. The Hub will allow participants to set up chat or video appointments with exhibitors, and messages can be followed up. Finally, any documents, videos and contacts from the Exhibition Hall can be saved and ‘taken away’ to study in more detail afterwards. EVA members can have a free virtual


booth on the Hub for the entire year, meaning the major industry players will have


a permanent and contactable presence. The Hub aims to be more than just a


virtual experience though, and that is why through the Lounge Room it offers a social experience with human exchanges. The Lounge Room will open several chat rooms to allow participants to meet each other and have direct or group chat discussions with experts and sponsors, as well and addressing questions regarding the various webinars and conferences. The chat room will be a relaxed environment to allow participants networking moments with colleagues, partners and friends. The Hub will be accessible for one year. After the initial two-day launch the EVA


will organise several other events on the platform throughout the year, while the Exhibition Hall and Lounge Room will remain continually open. This will aid vending companies to get in direct contact with each other and hopefully help facilitate the contacts and discussions that would normally take place at physical EVA events and industry exhibitions. While the Hub will naturally have a


European focus, the EVA is confident that it will have a global reach due to the fact that access to the platform will be completely free upon registration. To register and to access the platform www.vending-europe.vfairs.com


New wave of innovation among InnoBev Awards finalists


The finalists for the 2021 InnoBev Awards have been published and winners will be anounced this month. The fifth annual awards are organised by the food and drink


experts Zenith Global, with category sponsorship from Salomons & Partners. Celebrating the best in innovation across the global soft drinks industry, this year’s awards attracted a record 180 entries worldwide across 13 award categories. The finalists and winners have been selected by an eminent


panel of independent judges representing all corners of the global industry. “We are witnessing a new wave of innovation this year,”


commented Zenith Global chairman Richard Hall. “Consumers want new promise. Companies are becoming more targeted. This year’s record number of entries highlight six emerging themes:


12 | vendinginternational-online.com


• Adult social beverages – from premium soft drinks to no- and low-alcohol alternatives, particularly ready to drink pre-mixes. • Sparkling water plus – notably seltzers, but also sodas and tonics. • Functionality – especially for immunity and defence, but also for extra energy, wider health and wellbeing. • Cans – as an alternative to PET and in their own right, with great design impact. • Home delivery – offering dedicated secondary packaging to enhance the home delivery experience. • Technology – such as touch free vending and home dispense advances.” To find out who won the awards, go to


www.zenithglobal.com/events/innobev2021


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