With all the consolidation this industry has seen – podcast host Bob Tullio asks, what is drawing the huge crowds at the NAMA Show? He thinks it's the newcomers - new operators who are highly motivated – intrigued by the promise of giant revenue (often driven by Tik Tok videos), but extremely excited by the technology.

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, Tullio brings you more convention floor interviews with some big names and some up and coming operators, as he discusses the latest trends and innovations in the convenience services industry – some excellent insights from the 2025 NAMA Show. The conversation highlights the influx of newcomers to the industry, the importance of technology and smart markets, and the need for operators to adapt to post-pandemic challenges. Various industry leaders share their experiences and thoughts on the future of the industry, emphasizing the significance of networking and collaboration.

As for the groundswell of new operators, Tullio notes the following:

"There was an easy way to find the many newcomers to the industry – just go visit one of the many smart market vendors, and you could see them asking questions and placing orders. There is no question that the 2025 NAMA Show shined a big spotlight on smart markets, and the technology is a major reason why newcomers are flocking to the convenience services industry. It is easy to get started and to look like an established player, if you have a strong website and some capital. This extreme interest in smart markets by new operators, will only result in strong smart market growth, even more entrants among smart market suppliers and ultimately, lower prices – as the larger, established operators jump on board – as painful as it might be, to shelve existing equipment that is working just perfectly."