National Automatic Merchandising Association
{{Short description|American trade association for vending industries}}
The National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) is the American national trade association of the convenience services industry, including vending, micro markets, office coffee service, and foodservice management.{{Cite web|url=http://www.vendingtimes.com/Main/articles/NAMAs_2017_FlyIn_Attracts_300_Vending_Industry_Adv_10899.aspx|title=NAMA's 2017 Fly-In Attracts 300 Vending Industry Advocates To Washington {{!}} Articles {{!}} Vending Times|website=www.vendingtimes.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-18}} Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, NAMA represents more than 1,000 member companies, including hundreds of small businesses.{{Cite web|url=https://www.namanow.org/about-us|title=About Us - National Automatic Merchandising Association|website=www.namanow.org|language=en|access-date=2017-08-18}} File:Badger Water Softener Co., display at Nama National Convention, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (77704).jpg
Leadership
Carla Balakgie is president and CEO of NAMA. Before joining the association in 2011, Balakgie served as CEO of the Electronic Transactions Association.{{Cite press release|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nama-names-carla-balakgie-fasae-cae-ceo-131443308.html|title=NAMA Names Carla Balakgie, FASAE, CAE CEO|last=Association|first=National Automatic Merchandising|website=www.prnewswire.com|language=en|access-date=2017-08-18}}{{Citation|last=NAMANow|title=NAMA CEO, Carla Balakgie Talking Calorie Disclosure on Fox|date=2014-01-08|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3PZjDCuAYU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/P3PZjDCuAYU |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|accessdate=2017-08-18}}{{cbignore}}
Heidi Chico, president of National Vending LLC, chairs NAMA's board of directors.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=76407226&privcapId=4393111|title=Heidi Chico: Executive Profile & Biography|website=www.bloomberg.com|publisher=Bloomberg|access-date=2017-08-18}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/networking/2017/07/14/board-appointments-july-hatch-chico-zrostlik-abi/103666574/|title=Board Appointments: July 14|work=Des Moines Register|access-date=2017-08-18|language=en}}
Advocacy
In the summer, NAMA convenes an annual Fly-In, which brings more than 300 industry leaders to Washington, D.C. to discuss calorie disclosure requirements, overtime pay, and other issues affecting the convenience services industry.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rollcall.com/news/hoh/one-ex-chief-staff-went-taking-meetings-asking|title=How One Ex-Chief of Staff Went From Taking Meetings to Asking for Them|date=2017-07-27|website=Roll Call|access-date=2017-08-18}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.vendingtimes.com/Main/articles/NAMAs_2017_FlyIn_Attracts_300_Vending_Industry_Adv_10899.aspx|title=NAMA's 2017 Fly-In Attracts 300 Vending Industry Advocates To Washington {{!}} Articles {{!}} Vending Times|website=www.vendingtimes.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-08-18}} In a 2017 op-ed column published in The Hill, Balakgie claimed Fly-In attendees hold more than 200 meetings with members of Congress to "ensure that the voice of the convenience services industry is heard on Capitol Hill."{{Cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/congress-blog/economy-budget/343087-tax-reform-must-include-death-tax-repeal/?rnd=1500665528|title=Tax reform must include 'death tax' repeal|last=Jordan|first=Chuck|date=2017-07-24|work=The Hill|access-date=2017-08-18}}
References
External links
- [https://www.namanow.org/ National Automatic Merchandising Association]
Category:Trade associations based in the United States