The AVS has honoured Richard Brinsley and John Broderick for their services to vending.
The AVS 2016 Conference kicked off with a cocktail reception on beautiful Vilamoura beach, complete with chequered flags and a finish line for the five brave (and probably crazy) cyclists, who were raising funds for DBA UK, in support of Chris Annon (Mount Charles Group, Belfast) and his daughter, Faye, who suffers from this disorder. (More about the mad cyclists here).
Over £11,300 raised in ’15
At last year’s conference, AVS raised over £11,300 for the charity. AVS Group and it’s suppliers showed the warm, family spirit of vending by supporting the attempt to find a cure for DBA. Just before conference lunch Chris Annon addressed the room to show a picture of Faye, receiving one of her three weekly blood transfusions and giving a warm, emotional and heartfelt thank-you, on behalf of the Annon family and the charity.
It left a lump in everyone’s throat.
Above and Beyond…
Mark Foster, our keynote speaker, went above and beyond by joining us for the Thursday night beach reception and the exquisite meal at the Akvarvit Restaurant. He told suppliers that the family atmosphere had drawn him in and he was happy to mingle with a group of people who clearly cared about each other.
Mark’s speech was inspiring and entertaining, his ease behind the mic was wonderful, his sense of humour spot on. many suppliers, who see celebrity speakers week in, week out, told AVS that Mark was fresh and engaging and one of, if not the best they have ever seen.
The networking sessions (hard work for all!) went wonderfully and led us nicely into the much coveted AVS award ceremony.
Tributes
There were also tributes to Westomatic MD Richard Brinsley, (who is celebrating 50 years in vending), and to John Broderick in respect of his work with the AVS Group. John thought he was invited here to present Richard with the Westomatic award – but he started to suspect that was not all when John Ferguson – three times! – stopped him trying to leave the stage…
Aren’t We Lucky?’
The look on John B’s face was a fine sight to behold as he watched videos containing images from previous AVS events and tributes from members past and present and suppliers. The video made much of his catchphrase ‘aren’t we lucky?’ All a shell-shocked John could say, on receiving his award was ‘aren’t I lucky?’, which draw a standing ovation from the whole room.
John Ferguson closed the conference…or so he thought, as Eric Morton leaped up and stopped the music. John Ferguson was stepping down as Chair, and he need not have thought that he was going to get away without a send off. Pictures of Fergie rolled as Eric read out his career highlights.
The conference closed by saying goodbye to an AVS stalwart and by welcoming in our new Chair, Tim Newberry of Hallmark Vending.
Other highlights included a luxury boat trip, where the dolphins turned up right on cue and golf at a prestigious course.
AVS would like to thank it’s sponsors, without whom the event would not be
possible
