Mark Stein owner of Mark Vend and member of NAMA’s Board of Directors, returned recently from the inaugural NAMA Public Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.
The two-day conference included wide-ranging meetings with representatives from 
Congressional, Executive Branch and federal agency offices including the White House Office of Business Liaison, the Federal Reserve, and the Office of the Speaker of the House. Discussions focused on issues critical to the industry, including taxes, nutrition and calorie disclosure, healthcare reform, interchange fees and ADA compliance.
“This was an important step in furthering the industry’s presence in Washington, DC. As a business owner in Chicago, I participated in the process of sharing information and building the right relationships to ensure our industry’s voice is heard,” said Mark Stein.
The meetings, designed to provide a forum for discussion and exploration on the breadth and scope of industry issues, were held with the intent to deliver actionable outcomes. During a meeting with representatives from the White House Office of Business Liaison (WHOB), NAMA showcased its nutrition initiatives including Balance for Life/Fit Pick as a form of industry self-regulation and long-standing commitment to enabling informed and nutritious consumer choice in vending and refreshment services. This resulted in agreement by the WHOB to consider future collaborative efforts that build on this program’s strong foundation.
Additionally, NAMA participated in strategic discussions on the topic of interchange fees and the potential impact of regressive and punitive taxes on vending and refreshment services, such as those on sugar-sweetened beverages during a meeting with staffers from the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Founded in 1936, NAMA is the association representing the $42 billion U.S. vending and refreshment services industry. With 1,800 member companies – including some of the world’s most recognized brands – NAMA provides advocacy, education and research to its membership.