Fulfilling a promise made some years ago to Mount Charles Group to host a Conference in the city of Belfast, the Membership of Associated Vending Services Ltd (AVS) and Suppliers met at the famous Europa Hotel, Belfast on the 23rd and 24th September. It was not a coincidence that 2014 marks the 25th anniversary of the Mount Charles Group.
Attended by delegates from 21 Member Companies and 35 Supplier Companies, totalling 117 delegates, the Conference Agenda was themed around a speed dating style timeline of meetings between Members and Suppliers. One member delegate described the process as most worthwhile, but at the same time exhausting! Suppliers commented that the constant meeting schedules had saved a huge amount of travelling and expense, and again, very worthwhile.
Siobhan Lynch, Commercial Director of Mount Charles, presented a most interesting insight into the success of Northern Ireland’s leading independent Vending and Catering company. The Chairman of AVS, John Ferguson, presented Siobhan with a special AVS Award to mark the quarter century milestone.
Not only that: the AVS Supplier of the Year Awards Winners for 201 were announced, as voted for by the members:
AVS Supplier of the Year – Technology & Equipment Coffeetek
AVS Supplier of the Year – Vendable Products Automatic Retailing
AVS Supplier of the Year – Supporting Services Siemens Financial Services
AVS Supplier of the Year – Innovation Douwe Egberts
AVS Supplier of the Year – Promotional Mars
AVS Supplier of the Year – Chief Executive Award Michael Evans, Seabrooks
The David Macqueen AVS Member of the Year Award was presented to John Ferguson, and a further special AVS Award was made to Vendaid Ltd, in celebration of 50 years in business.
The previous evening, the Conference took part in a unique walking pub tour around a few famous public houses in the city before arriving at the St Georges Market Bar & Grill hosted by Mount Charles Group, owners of the Restaurant, for a superb evening of great food, wine and entertainment. A great craic was had by all!
It is the intention of AVS to arrange an overseas Conference in September 2015.
