Once again Planet Vending was invited to bear witness to the most understated awards ceremony in vending. This time, Ian drew the short straw and stayed back at PV Towers whilst I ventured over the Pennines (in a snow storm by the way) to join the award recipients and their hosts; Graham Kingaby, Michelle Hefferon; Karen Jenner and Ben DeOlivera from NIVO.
As soon as we all arrived it was down to business and I have to say this was the shortest, punchiest, awards event in the history of short, punchy awards events! Apparently John Crichton (Boss of Automatic Retailing) was ‘under pressure’, so Graham fair galloped through the categories.
First up was Best Business Service. Graham declared that when he started the awards 9 years ago, he had no idea that every single one of these would be won by the same person, the same company – Kevin Reed, Siemens. He did hint however that this year, for the first time, it wasn’t a runaway win! So you have a challenger Kev! As usual, Mr. Reed was a quiet and modest winner.
Next was Ian Johnston from Coffeetek who won Best Equipment. Ian is no stranger to these awards either, but was no less delighted to have won again.
Graham then introduced a brand new category and therefore a brand new winner. The winner of the Best Newcomer was Scobie McIntosh and the award was accepted by Group Relationship Director, Mark Stevens.
The fourth award was also won by a first-timer: Paula Bentley of Barry Callebaut picked up Consumables – Snack/Drinks.
Then it was the turn of the aforementioned John Crichton who accepted the award for Consumables – Vending Services. Accompanying him was Automatic Retailing’s latest recruit: Sales Manager Steve Reynolds.
Finally, NIVO presented a Special Recognition Award to Rob Little, MD of Vendman Systems. Graham said that this was a unique accolade, awarded to Vendman in recognition of the loyalty, commitment and assistance given to NIVO over the years and not least introducing the NIVO membership to the joys of horse racing!
And that was that… Fifteen minutes later, Mr Crichton hit the road to Newcastle en-route for the footy whilst the rest of us climbed into our cars and headed up the road to the local Toby Carvery to celebrate. (And very nice it was, too). That voucher came in handy didn’t it Graham, and just in the nick of time?
My thanks go to NIVO for organising such a slick event and for inviting a representative of ‘Vending’s Best Read’. I can confirm that I did make it back along the M62 before the snow storm landed…
