August 2025: Key updates from the vending, coffee and water sectors

Vending and coffee updates

The vending, automated retail and coffee sectors are rapidly evolving, with new initiatives, industry events and regulatory developments shaping its future. Here’s what’s happening in this sector this month:

National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA)

NAMA launches educational webcast series for convenience services operators

The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) has opened registration for Coffee Tea & Water (CTW) and announced a new educational initiative, the Emerging Operator’s Guide to Steady Operations and Optimized Growth.

The webcast series is aimed at helping small and new convenience services operators strengthen operational practices, prepare for business growth and avoid common scaling pitfalls. Industry experts will share strategies on location acquisition, warehouse efficiency, route management, equipment troubleshooting and financial management.

The series is free for NAMA members, while non-members can register for $49 per session or $399 for the complete programme.

Upcoming topics include:

Scaling operations: preparation and execution
Securing top locations
Expanding into new service channels
Warehouse and route management best practices
Troubleshooting vending issues
Financial planning for small operators

In addition, NAMA will host a members-only Government Affairs webcast on 28 August at 2pm ET titled New Law, New Opportunities: Learn How to Maximize Your Benefits. The session will cover the implications of the “One Big Beautiful Bill” — signed into law on 4 July 2025 — which makes significant changes to the US tax code.

Speakers Jeff Lewis (Calibre CPA Group), Bill Meierling (NAMA), and Lauren Janes (NAMA) will outline key provisions and tax deductions relevant to convenience services operators and their customers.

NAMA opens call for speakers for 2026 show in Los Angeles

The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) has opened its call for speaker proposals for The NAMA Show 2026, which will take place 22-24 April in Los Angeles.

The event is expected to draw more than 5,200 professionals from the convenience services sector, including operators, suppliers and technology providers in vending, micro markets, office coffee service and pantry services.

NAMA is seeking proposals from operators, suppliers and industry experts who can address business challenges and share practical insights on profitability, efficiency and customer experience. Suggested topics include operational optimization, service innovation, retail design and client relations.

Speaker proposals are due by 16 September. Selected presenters will be notified by the end of November 2025.

European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA)

EVA warns of non-compliant vending machines entering EU market

The European Vending & Coffee Service Association (EVA) has raised concerns over vending machines entering the EU market that fail to meet European regulatory standards.

According to the association, some non-European manufacturers are exhibiting and selling machines that lack CE markings, energy labels or use refrigerants already banned in Europe. The EVA warned that these are not minor oversights but “major infringements” that pose safety, environmental and legal risks.

The organisation said the issue is compounded by pricing, as non-compliant machines are often significantly cheaper than those produced in Europe. This, it warned, puts operators in a difficult position, with some purchasing such machines without fully understanding the risks.

If the manufacturer does not have a legal entity within the EU, liability for compliance falls on the operator who places the machine on the market. This could lead to fines, legal action or machines being withdrawn from circulation.

In response, the EVA said it is reporting cases of non-compliance directly to national market surveillance authorities and urging the European Commission to strengthen border controls. It also called on member states to take more decisive action against illegal imports.

“The vending industry cannot allow bad and illegal practices to undermine legitimate businesses,” the EVA stated. "Our message is clear: the best path is to buy equipment from EVA members or from companies affiliated with the national vending associations, where compliance, quality and fair play are assured."

Beverage Standards Association (BSA)

BSA appoints new director

The Beverage Standards Association (BSA) has appointed Roger Whitehouse as its new director.

Whitehouse joins from Watercare, where he spent ten years as Beverage Division Sales Manager. He brings extensive experience in sustainable, high-performance filtration solutions for cafés, restaurants, vending, ice machines and catering applications.

BSA networking event rescheduled for September

The BSA has confirmed its next networking event will now take place on 10 September at Field Service Solutions in Bury.

The event is open to both members and non-members, providing an opportunity to connect with industry professionals including coffee roasters, machine manufacturers and baristas. Attendance is free, with refreshments provided.

Katie Mather named editor of Something’s Brewing

The BSA has appointed Katie Mather as the new editor of its Something’s Brewing magazine.

Mather is an award-winning food and drinks writer and published her first zine, A Place To Be: A Zine About Drinking in Liminal Spaces, earlier this year.

Water updates

The water sector continues to evolve with innovative technologies, sustainability initiatives and industry events driving progress. From watercoolers to hydration solutions, here’s what’s happening in this space:

Watercoolers Europe (WE)

Registration opens for Watercoolers Europe 2025 conference in Milan

Watercoolers Europe (WE) has opened online registration for its 2025 Conference & Trade Fair, set to take place on 6-7 November at the Meliá Milano Hotel, Italy.

The two-day event will feature conference sessions, workshops, networking opportunities, an international trade fair and the annual Aqua Awards Gala Dinner.

Confirmed speakers include keynote Bert Helbig, a communication strategist and media expert, who will discuss shifting consumer habits among younger generations in his presentation, Shaping Tomorrow: Understanding Future Habits of the New Generation of Customers.

Early bird rates are available for WE members, and organisers are encouraging early registration due to limited spaces for both attendees and exhibitors.

Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (WHA)

WHA highlights sustainability efforts ahead of annual general meeting

The Water Dispenser & Hydration Association (WHA) has outlined the environmental measures being implemented by its members across the hydration sector, ahead of its annual general meeting on 25 September 2025.

Members are reducing single-use plastics through alternative bottle materials and recyclable cup options, introducing refill and return schemes, and expanding the use of mains-fed systems. Other initiatives include recycling end-of-life coolers, adopting eco-friendly refrigerants, investing in energy-efficient dispensers and cutting transport emissions via upgraded fleets, local sourcing and optimised logistics.

The AGM will take place at Hogarths Hotel, Solihull, and will cover technical, training and legislative developments, marketing activities and updates on the WHA’s long-standing support for the clean water charity Just a Drop. Earlier this year, WHA general manager Phillipa Clow presented on the charity’s projects in Zambia.

The event will conclude with a keynote from Alastair Banks and Jack Warne of Optix Solutions, who will discuss digital marketing trends for 2025/26.

Natural Mineral Waters Europe (NMWE)

Presidents share key takeaways from 2025 NMWE annual meetings in Málaga

Alessandro Pasquale, president of Natural Mineral Waters Europe, and José Manuel García, president of ANEABE, reflect on the sector’s key achievements and emphasise the value of collaboration at the 2025 NMWE Annual Meetings in Málaga.

Deposit Return Systems (DRS): Delivering on circularity post-PPWR

At a #EUGreenWeek event co-hosted by NMWE and the Permanent Representation of Lithuania to the EU, experts, policymakers and industry leaders discussed how DRS can reduce emissions, prevent litter and support high-quality recycling.