Vending & OCS Nation Podcast

On the surface, taking over a family business would seem to be a dream scenario. But each time a new generation takes the reins, especially in a well-established operation, there are inherent stresses that come with the job. So far, Patrick and Michael Sheehan have been up to the task. What kind of stress does the third generation of a family-owned business typically deal with? Patrick Sheehan of...

This episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast features more conversations and insights with industry leaders (some big names in the industry) from the Connection Hub at the CTW – NAMA’s Coffee, Tea and Water Show. Three questions were asked: What is your takeaway from the CTW event? What do operators need to do to succeed in 2026? And a very timely question: As an opera...

The 2025 CTW in Miami – NAMA’s Coffee, Tea and Water show – is in the books. Both suppliers and operators said very good things about the engagement opportunities, and the two keynote speakers were quite compelling. If you did not attend the event, this podcast will take you down to the convention floor, also known as the Connection Hub, where podcast host (and event emcee) Bob Tullio spoke with i...

In the last episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, host Bob Tullio discussed five powerful sales strategies with convenience services operators and industry consultants. In this episode, he is back with five more — with an objective to help operators and sales reps finish the year on a high note, with more closed deals than ever. In our last episode, Tullio focused on cold c...

In September, Vending & OCS Nation podcast host Bob Tullio delivered a three-hour presentation at the Holiday House Tech and Sales event in Frisco, Texas. While leading their first ever sales track, Tullio noticed that certain sales tips and strategies truly resonated with the sales professionals in attendance. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, Bob Tullio sh...

While Patrick McGinty was certainly an excellent operator, his favorite part of the business was selling new accounts, and he was good at it. Ultimately, he parlayed that skill and his team into a marketing and sales machine that is working overtime to generate new business for operators across the country. This episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation is sponsored by VendVue ....

The company has always been known for reliable coolers and freezers. While they are certainly preparing for the next wave of innovation and technology, Due North remains focused on operational efficiency and reliability. As host Bob Tullio points out in this episode of Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch 's Vending & OCS Nation podcast, a couple years ago, he was talking to Due Nor...

The timing is perfect for this Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch Vending & OCS Nation podcast. It is a preview of the upcoming Coffee Tea and Water Event - November 4th and 5th in Miami.  The title says it all: “Here is why you need to attend the 2025 Coffee, Tea and Water - the CTW.” This podcast, presented in cooperation with National Automatic Merchandising Association , looks...

David Henchel, President and CEO of Corporate Coffee Systems, has some advice for new operators entering the industry. “Don’t do it! Or better yet, do it, but do it in another city,” said a laughing Henchel. Beyond the humor, he offered more practical advice for new operators in the interview as well.  Today’s episode is Part II of the David Henchel interview. According to the host of Automatic Me...

Some interviews come with a price. Bob Tullio had to round out a foursome - golfing in Mesquite, Nevada, to get an interview with David Henchel. In the process, Tullio lost golf balls, some cash and some confidence in his golf game - but he did score a great interview.  In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry – produce...

The ongoing opportunity that exists from point-of-use water system and ice machine rentals is no secret to experienced operators. Equipment innovation is further enhancing the revenue potential. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry – produced by Endeavor Business Media, a Division of EndeavorB2B – host Bob Tullio ta...

The numbers are impressive. Naturals2Go has helped 2500 new operators get started since 2009, placing 40,000 machines and according to the company, they have a 14% market share. Vending is a hot business and from all indications, it is now a meaningful part of the gig economy. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation, the podcast for the convenience services industry –...

Industry observers, including Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation Podcast host Bob Tullio, are wondering aloud what next year’s State of the Industry Report will reveal. Sales jumped 30% in the vending and micro market segment and smart markets were not even part of the equation. Next year’s numbers could be off the charts! In Part II of Automatic Merchandiser's Vending & OCS Nat...

After listening to this podcast, you may reach the same conclusion that podcast host Bob Tullio did. We all seem to be trying to answer one big question. What is driving the explosive growth in our industry? In July, Bob Tullio, the host of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast, produced and moderated two live webinars, both of which offered plenty of material that is certainly...

Without question, the Atlantic Coast Exposition – The Ace Show, sets the bar about as high as it can go for a regional convenience services gathering. The level of planning, attention to detail and creativity required for the 2025 ACE Show is impressive. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation Podcast, host Bob Tullio noted that “The more I learn about the event, which...

Everyone in the OCS business has heard about the popular Technician Training and Equipment Sales Trade Show from Holiday House Distributing. This year's event is more attractive than ever, offering training at a whole new level – for OCS technicians and now – operators and salespeople. From humble beginnings in 2019, the 2025 spring session attracted 140 technicians from 73 companies. The fall ses...

While everyone in the beverage business has heard of Gatorade and Powerade, there always seems to be room for a new contender in the isotonic beverage category. With a new distribution deal - Launch Hydrate has arrived. You may remember tasting Launch Hydrate as you walked into the 2025 NAMA Show. Josh Rosenberg of Forward Thinkers was side by side with the company’s COO, Dillon Houstoun, serving...

It started as a side gig to make some extra money, but after a while, Ryan Harrington realized that he loved the vending business. As it turns out, his investment connected him to love on many levels, including a life partner and co-CEO – his wife Michelle. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast, host Bob Tullio brings you a conversation with Ryan Harrington,...

From the discovery of explorer Ernest Shackleton’s ship in Antarctica, to the theme of the presidential inauguration, “endurance” is a recurring word that hits home for operators when they reflect on what they have dealt with over the years. The word certainly resonated with Bob Tullio, host of Automatic Merchandiser's Vending & OCS Nation podcast. In this episode, he speaks with numerous indu...

What is Josh Rosenberg up to now? It is question Josh hears, especially when he is not in the industry's spotlight, where he has spent so much time as a high profile player in and around convenience services. Bottom line: He's back.  In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser's Vending & OCS Nation podcast, host Bob Tullio sits down with Josh Rosenberg to talk about his 30 year industry journey...

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 b...

As usual, podcast host Bob Tullio worked the 2025 NAMA convention floor with a microphone in hand, talking to a wide variety of operators. While they may have come to Las Vegas with different objectives, they all agreed that the show was a fine display of what the industry has to offer. Tullio admits that after golfing for three days before the show with David “Hollywood” Henchel, Jim “Dutton” Eva...

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,...

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 Mer...

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 &am...