You may end up listening to this on your way to the 2025 NAMA Show in Las Vegas – on the plane, in a taxi or hanging out in the lobby of your hotel before the show starts up on May 7th. That is the perfect scenario, because today’s episode offers some valuable advice about the 2025 Show – in addition to "wear comfortable shoes."

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, host Bob Tullio is focused on seven suppliers who you need to connect with if you are an operator attending the show.

As Tullio notes, "At every NAMA show, several suppliers sign up to have a professional video interview done with me, working on behalf of Automatic Merchandiser and Vending Market Watch, right from the convention floor. I find that those companies always have a great story to tell about their products and services – this year is no exception."

Tullio talks to those seven suppliers, asking the question, "Why is your company a "must see" supplier.

In this episode, Tullio has a request of his listeners.

"When you see me on the convention floor doing videos at 365 Retail Markets – booth 1347, Cantaloupe - booth 1839, Pro Watch Solutions - booth 2309, Televend - booth 2723, Launch Hydrate booth -1476 and speaking on camera with Steve Orlando of Fixturelite and Josh Rosenberg of Forward Thinkers, stop by to say hello and be sure to watch for those videos when they are release and published in the coming weeks."

After 14 years as president and CEO of NAMA, Carla understands the operator mindset and always has the best interests of NAMA members at the top of her priority list.

As Carla Balakgie approaches her last NAMA show as president and CEO of the organization, it is a good time for her to reflect on the last 14 years at the helm of the successful industry organization.

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, it’s Part II of Bob Tullio’s interview with Carla Balakgie. If you missed Part I on April 1st, it’s ok, listen to today’s episode now and go back to hear the great conversation from Part I at your convenience – and it was a great conversation as Carla discussed her 14-year journey as president and CEO of NAMA. She talked about advocacy – what operators need to do to succeed and the industry’s proactive approach to improve their image and increase revenue opportunities.

Tullio also interviewed key industry leaders who shared their perspectives on the impact of Carla Balakgie, including Craig Hesch of AH Management, Pete Tullio of Gourmet Coffee Service and Tom Steuber of Associated Services.

In this episode – an insightful interview - Carla looks back at the people who helped her succeed at NAMA – she gives us the secret sauce recipe – she talks about technology – industry newcomers, her legacy and so much more. Of course, Tullio spoke to some other industry heavyweights, who shared their perspective on Carla’s positive and long-lasting impact.

For operators, suppliers and anyone in business who wants to get a glimpse inside the mind of a proven leader – an inspirational leader – this is a must listen. If you don’t know Carla that well, you will see why she is so successful. Her combination of professionalism and charm is a winning combination.

Based on the industry’s growth – the big comeback underway in just about every segment of the convenience services industry and the huge success of the most recent conventions – Chicago in 2022 – Atlanta in 2023 – record attendance at Dallas in 2024 – there is a lot of excitement brewing about the 2025 NAMA show and the return of the show to Las Vegas.

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch's Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry - presented in cooperation with the National Automatic Merchandising Association - the industry organization for convenience services, it’s a preview at of the upcoming NAMA Show in Las Vegas – May 7th to 9th at the Las Vegas convention center.

Bob Tullio talked to some of the architects of the event - David Marler from 365 Retail Markets, Ryan Harrington, Founder and CEO of Royal ReFresh– both on the trade show advisory committee, and Kristen Griffith, CMP Griffith, Vice President, Programs & Services at NAMA.

The podcast guests talk about why the NAMA Show is a must attend for any serious operator, plus – how the show has impacted their businesses. There is also a great deal of buzz around the keynote speaker, Oz Pearlman, world-renowned mentalist.

With extensive experience behind her, Carla Balakgie hit the ground running when she was named President and CEO of NAMA 14 years ago. With Carla moving on to her next chapter after this year, the convenience services organization has big shoes to fill.

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, host Bob Tullio sat down with Carla to talk about her journey and her perspective from the industry’s top spot.

Much of the conversation centers on advocacy, dodging legislative landmines and the industry's proactive approach to improve their image and increase revenue opportunities for operators and suppliers.

Tullio also interviewed key industry leaders who shared their perspectives on the impact of Carla Balakgie, including Craig Hesch (AH Management), Pete Tullio (Gourmet Coffee Service) and Tom Steuber (Associated Services).

The founder of Evergreen Refreshments, Avanti Markets and more, likes to say that if you are not growing, you are coasting, and if you are coasting, you are probably going downhill.

There is no coasting for Jim Brinton. Even after selling Avanti to 365 Retail Markets, Brinton loves to see his businesses grow. It clearly drives him.

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, it’s Part II of podcast host Bob Tullio’s interview with Jim Brinton.

Brinton is a humble man, but he is proud of the success he has achieved through hard work, innovation and risk taking. He talks about the importance of keeping the micro market concept fresh, the key people who have helped him succeed, critical advice for new operators, his outlook for 2025 and of course, his secret sauce recipe – a work in progress.

Mentioned in this two-part podcast:

Dean Prather of Quality Vending & Coffee Co. Mark Stein from Mark Vend Company, Unified Strategies Group, Craig Kushner of Monumental Vending Inc, Kevin Brinton from Evergreen Refreshments, Arthur Siller from Evergreen Refreshments, Vistar, Barry Rosenberg of VENDING ONE INC, Scott Phillips, Mark Dieffenbach from The Hershey Company and Elyssa Steiner of Cantaloupe Inc.

Tullio said he hopes this podcast will inspire the next Jim Brinton out there to take their great idea to the next level.

Jim Brinton brought the micro market to convenience services. Some operators have told him that he not only transformed the industry - but he also saved it.

What we have been focusing on recently is industry giants – movers and shakers, including Matthew Marsh of First Class Vending and Judson Kleinman of Corporate Essentials. Jim Brinton is in that “industry giant category" as both an operator and a supplier.

There are many great stories in the convenience services industry. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, you will hear one of the best of all – the story of Jim Brinton of Evergreen Refreshments and of course, Avanti Markets. He has truly revolutionized our industry – he introduced us to the micro market – the start of unattended retail.

Host Bob Tullio talks to Jim about his journey – how he became an operator and how his desire to find something better than vending, drove him to become a major industry innovator.

Podcast host Bob Tullio was pleased by the amount of positive feedback he received from Part I of this episode – “Judson Kleinman – Focused on improving corporate culture for his clients and employees - Part I - His journey.” Part II takes a closer look at Kleinman, the entrepreneur.

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s & Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, you will hear Part II of the podcast - "Judson Kleinman has plenty of reasons to be smiling,” Podcast host Bob Tullio covers a lot of ground with Kleinman, including:

Courageous decision making

Overcoming business challenges

Why he does not operate micro markets or vending

A focus on pantry service

His outlook and advice on OCS

Dealing with a cyberattack

The off and on relationship with Keurig

The secret sauce at Corporate Essentials

Life after selling to Canteen

The next chapter

Judson’s own love story

Enjoy this conversation with a legendary industry veteran who has some great content to share.

Anyone who has dealt with Judson Kleinman over the years knows that he is always working to be the best operator and boss that he can be.

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry, host Bob Tullio sits down with an industry legend, a powerhouse operator - Judson Kleinman from Corporate Essentials – operating in the greater New York City area.

Kleinman has always been a valuable resource for Tullio, in podcasts, webinars and industry related articles – largely because he is one of the most knowledgeable people in the industry. He’s also a good guy, who truly cares about his employees, his clients and the industry itself. Maybe most importantly – he’s a happy man who has sold his business but is still very much involved with a little less stress and he tells Tullio that he has found the love of his life – Dara.

We hope you enjoy this interview – about his journey, overcoming challenges, the direction of the industry and with advice for operators – veterans and newcomers. We know you will feel his positive energy as Judson looks back and toward his next chapter.

Part I focuses on his journey and some of his core beliefs about doing business the right way. Part II will take a close look at his strategic approach - one that has served him well as an operator.