(ARN Cover pic courtesy of the Vendies)
On my way back from the AVS conference in Dubrovnik – a nightmare journey, by the way, with my flight diverted to Edinburgh – I received a message reminding me that our regular contribution was due.
For a moment or two, as usual, I thought about our current promotional offers, which normally provide the framework for John’s very popular articles. But then, I thought, ‘hang on, sometimes there are more important subjects to cover’.
In recent months, ARN has been honoured by the industry it serves, in the form of recognition for two of our senior people. John was recognised at The Vendies – he received the accolade of the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award’ – and Bruce Turnor was handed the Vending Excellence Award by members of the AVS.
Quite how I can feel like a proud dad, when both of these guys are (a little bit) older than me, is anybody’s guess; but there you are. And it’s not just me: everyone at ARN is celebrating the fact that the people we look up to are such valued members of the industry. We’re all bathing in the reflected glory!
It’s vending’s worst-kept secret that JC is retiring later this year. Quite how we’ll fill that void, I’m not so sure; but life goes on, and so will ARN.
As for Bruce, what can I say? I’ve always been aware that Mr. Turnor is well-liked in the industry. Many of you know that Bruce and his family have suffered devastating personal loss in their lifetimes. You may not know that Bruce’s courage and his dignity during his times of trial were exemplary.
The AVS asked Eric Morton and Andy Dixon, (both of whom have known Bruce forever) to contribute to a presentation headed by Mark Duerden Smith. (Hats off to Mark, he did a spectacularly good job).
As Andy said: ‘I’ve known Bruce 30 years and I know his history. In the video we produced, I talked a lot about what he achieved at Max Pax and Kenco Vending, prior to his arrival at ARN in 2012. His professional journey can be characterised by his incisive intelligence, by the incredible attention to detail he commits to his job and by his famous ‘little black book’ of contacts. On a personal level, he has an indelible sense of ‘right’ and ‘wrong’, and when it comes to ‘work hard, play hard’, Bruce is the real deal.’
The video also contained contributions from Bruce’s family, not least from his sister in New Zealand, and from (our own) John, who recorded his contribution from Welford Road, the home of Bruce’s beloved Leicester Tigers.
It was a cross between The Oscars ceremony and ‘This is Your Life.’ It was, I’m happy to admit, heart-rending.
So, that’s it from us for this week. As for our special deals this month, you know where to find them and I’m trusting you to take a look! I hope you agree that this time around, it was only right that I should recognise our own people. And by ‘our own’, I’m not just referring to ARN, I have the entire industry in mind.
Have a good month and enjoy the sunshine.
Allan Walker.
More from ARN on Planet Vending HERE
