The Smart Retail Solutions Group OOH Summer Gala is Shaping Up to be One of Vending’s Most Important Events

The Smart Retail Solutions Group OOH Summer Gala, having just enjoyed a third successful edition, is shaping up to be one of vending’s most important events. What’s more, due to the limited number of guests who can be accommodated, it’s also shaping up to become one of vending’s hottest tickets.

The Smart Retail Solutions Group combined three years ago with the aim of creating an event in which industry experts would combine to deliver a presentation on the incumbent benefits of working with the group to create the smart retail offers that modern customers demand across the channel. They wanted to achieve this in a relaxed, environment that was conducive to engagement and networking and once again, the Group delivered.

Whilst the number of available places was up on last year, supply was never going to meet demand, but the delegates who attended brought with them serious interest in discovering how the Smart Retail Solutions Group could help them take their first steps – or their next steps – in unattended retailing

Feedback from last year’s events revealed that the gap between the presentations ending and embarkation for the trip along the Thames would benefit from being extended, so fruitful had it been in terms of networking. This time, two hours were set aside. It was an adjustment that was warmly welcomed by delegates.

An interesting development this time around was that the Smart Retail Solutions Group Gala happened to fall on the day after the Vendies Award presentations. Many of the delegates welcomed the opportunity to pack two events into their trip to the capital, and there was an additional bonus for the organisers: Paul Howard was a vending legend even before he scooped the Vendies’ Lifetime Achievement Award on the preceding evening and Kepak’s Carl Hunter was named the Rising Star at the same event. The fact that both were singing from the same hymn sheet here can only add value to the Smart Retail Solutions Group’s credentials; not to mention the success of many other Smart Retail Solutions Group participants in their own categories.

Looking ahead to ’24, the organisers insist that this is still the first chapter. Expect the event to grow in stature in the years ahead, as the horizon for automated retail continues to widen.

For more on the Smart Retail Solutions Group – read HERE