Vendex Midlands – Thinking about going?

…Well in our humble opinion, we think you should definitely make the journey to Vendex at the National Motorcycle Museum on the 24th April. Why? Because everyone who is everyone in vending will be there.

Vendex
Phil Reynolds

Phil Reynolds is rightly proud that up to 25% of exhibitors per show have never taken space before. At some shows that could mean there’s an issue being able to retain exhibitors year to year but in Vendex case it’s nothing of the sort. A large number sign up not only to the next Vendex but also to the one after that. The loyalty of the majority of exhibitors ensures that Phil has a strong base that allows him to book with confidence the same prestigious venues time after time. Talk to any exhibitor and they’ll tell you that Vendex is the show that works. As soon as you arrive, there’s a buzz and its not just coming from the exhibitors but from a queue of visitors ready to flood into the hall. Last year we encouraged everyone to pre-register (still a good idea).

The 25% newbie stand holders do need to pay attention though if they want to ensure success in the vending arena. It isn’t enough to just turn up on the day and expect to sell their wares. The industry, like many others, relies on relationships, and you have to spend time researching the industry, who the main players are and what ‘turns them on’ in terms of products, pricing and personalities. Common sense? Yes… but PV sees so many missed opportunities in the lead up to the show and the failure of stand teams to follow up effectively afterwards.  We’ve heard stories from new exhibitors who’ve complained they’ve had fewer visitors than they’d expected when in reality they just hadn’t done the groundwork first. A few tips? Here you are…

  1. Research the key players before the show – find out where they are based, and the personalities behind them.
  2. Find out as much as you can about your competitors. We know you know them already but do you know what makes them successful with the Vending Operators? Is it the product or is the pricing? Is it the bag size (for example) or is it that the vending ‘champion’ is a party animal or a golfer or has just been in the industry for years? All good to know…
  3. Try to find out what your target clients look like! (PV has a load of pictures you can view!)
  4. Get in touch with as many people in advance as possible. Be persistent…
  5. Advertise your presence at the show. PV offers a Spotlight feature, which costs a maximum of £250 but there are lower priced alternatives on request if budgets are tight. You may get a free mention – ask us to find out how!
  6. During the show, be proactive – walk around and spot names on badges – if you’ve done your research you’ll know who’s who. Don’t be afraid to press a card into someone’s hand and invite them to visit you on your stand. If you have samples – take a few with you.
  7. After the show, obviously follow up on those you’ve met! But… get in touch with those you didn’t get to see too. Everyone is expecting that professionals will follow up, so be professional and do it. If you’re asked for a review or other comments by the press, be creative with your answers and pose for a picture! Works for us!
  8. Finally, for the moment… you may not get orders from your first show, but you will have made an impact. Keep in touch with everyone you want to speak to, visit their offices if you can, and be back at Vendex next time. You’ll be surprised how quickly a relationship can be formed if you’re consistent and, of course, do what you say you’re going to do.
Automatic Vending Association
David Llewellyn

What’s in it for visitors?

Apart from being able to catch up with old friends, and lets face it, there’s a lot of that about, there are so many new brands available to vending at each show, you’d be mad not to drop by and say hello and find out what’s on offer. Its a superb opportunity to get the news, and find out new trends or just confirm what you know already. Its a chance on one day, to forget rivalries, and open your ears and minds to other things.

What next?

At a recent AVS meeting, our new AVA CEO, David Llewellyn, gave us an insight into the new look and feel of the AVA where he let on that AVEX wouldn’t be happening in anything like the same format as before but instead the AVA would be cooperating with Vendex. This has to be good news for Phil’s team and we’ll watch developments with interest. David has confirmed that there will be a bi-annual event next year organised by the AVA but it will be seen as a celebration of vending and its longevity and history, but not the trade show that we’ve seen in the past. We’ll all look forward to hearing more once plans have firmed up. The AVA is changing, and we actively encourage membership now if you’d like to be influential in the decision making process.

PV will be on walkabout at Vendex, it should be another cracker, so stop us if you have a story or email editor@planet-vending.com on the day, before the show or after.  We’re dying to hear your news and there will stories going up on the site and on PV social media networks during the day. Tag @planetvending on Twitter, we always retweet, or post pictures and updates to our Facebook page.

Stop me if you see me!

Finally, if you’d like help reaching the vending industry, we are not just a vending publication PV is also a niche PR and events business. This includes, copywriting, design, one off events, social media management and much more besides. Get in touch here

 

About the author

Yvonne Reynolds-Young

Planet Vending’s MD and Publisher is Yvonne Reynolds-Young. An island of corporate common sense surrounded by oceans of creative madness, Yvonne is the person to call if your intention is to make something happen. (She controls all the diaries and all the money, FYI). She’s also our Social Media Queen, single-handedly responsible for building PVs presence on LinkedIn, FaceBook and Twitter and thereby driving record volumes of traffic onto the site.

‘Customer service is my responsibility and it’s my job to make sure we’re always ahead of deadlines’ she says. ‘My background in big business means I speak the same language as our corporate clients and understand the particular pressures they face when working in the vending arena.’

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