BY IAN REYNOLDS-YOUNG
The AVA has completed an agreement with the EDWCA to run their secretariat with effect from 21 June 2013. The EDWCA, which is the UK’s largest water cooler trade association, will be run independently but under the umbrella of the AVA from its offices in High Wycombe.
By combining the industry-specific knowledge of both associations, the AVA will have a greater lobbying voice within Westminster and the EU
‘We’ve developed a close working relationship with the EDWCA over the last two AVEX’s where they have been partner to the show and following unanimous agreement from both Boards, we will provide this service within our existing resources’, said AVA CEO Jonathan Hilder. ‘This closer relationship will provide us with a number of strategic opportunities to develop our own offering to AVA members as well as offering the EDWCA a better service than they have been able to provide for their members in the past. It will also allow us to develop a joint trade show strategy for the future.’
By combining the industry-specific knowledge of both associations, the AVA will have a greater lobbying voice within Westminster and the EU; it will be able to provide greater technical training resource for AVA members and will have a greater pool of members for networking events.
‘The EDWCA has a strong quality brand and this opportunity will help the AVA to work closer with government to bring the AVA mark into tender contracts’, Jonathan said. ‘At present, it isn’t mandatory for companies to hold the AVA quality mark when submitting public sector tenders. Working more closely with the EDWCA will help us achieve this requirement, as they already have.’
Whilst the move of the EDWCA secretariat is seen as a long-term strategy, the two associations have agreed to review the operational agreement in 12 month’s time.
‘I’m really excited about using this opportunity to improve the service we offer our members and to help increase the voice of vending in the UK Market’, Jonathan said.
* Here at PV we’ve been thinking of potential names for the new partnership. We were disturbed to discover that AVAEDWCA is, in fact, an anagram of ‘CAVA AWED’. That’s not to suggest that this marriage was the result of drink being taken, though…
