Vending & OCS Nation Podcast

What do Walt Disney, Hugh Hefner and today's convenience services operators have in common? More than you might think. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser's Vending & OCS Nation, Bob Tullio sits down with communications strategist, author, and public relations pioneer Marty Cooper, whose remarkable career includes working directly with Walt Disney at Disneyland, Hugh Hefner at Playboy, t...

The 1990s were one of the most disruptive decades in the history of office coffee service. Starbucks was reshaping consumer expectations. Filterfresh was introducing single-cup brewing. Flavia was creating an entirely new beverage platform. Keurig was preparing to launch a product that would transform the industry. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch 's Vending &...

In Part 2 of his conversation with Josh Rosenberg of Forward Thinkers , Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch 's Vending & OCS Nation podcast host Bob Tullio begins the discussion with an in-depth look at the evolving mergers and acquisitions landscape within the convenience services industry before turning to a deeply personal conversation about family, leadership, health challenges...

In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch 's Vending & OCS Nation, it’s the first installment of Bob Tullio ’s powerful two-part conversation with Josh Rosenberg , the founder of Forward Thinkers , who delivers an unfiltered look at the forces reshaping the convenience services industry. Drawing on decades of leadership experience from his years at The Coca-Cola Compan...

As Gary Arwin explained, "After becoming a partner in a supplier to the hospitality industry, I had figured out very quickly that I had made a lot of other people a lot of money and I wanted to do something on my own. We dissolved the business and I went to a business broker and said, 'Hey, I'm interested in purchasing a business. What do you have available?' That is how Arwin got into the vending...

Marc Rosset’s approach to M&A is very hands-on. In many ways, he serves as a matchmaker, connecting the seller to the right buyer. With more than 33 years of experience and over 350 completed transactions, representing nearly $1 billion in transferred revenue, the process clearly works. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast, presented in cooperation with...

While there were rave reviews and plenty of excitement surrounding all the new technology at the 2026 NAMA Show in Los Angeles, the beverages, snacks and legitimate dining options on display and available for tasting are always a big part of the show experience. In Part 3 of our coverage from the 2026 NAMA Show, Automatic Merchandiser &  VendingMarketWatch’ s Vending & OCS Nation Podcast h...

In his five years with AVS Companies , Keith Krail has seen some significant and welcome changes in the convenience services business. What was a more traditionally focused automated retail solution business has become a dynamic AI integrated industry where new solutions have been put forward and are changing the way that companies and operators do business. On this episode of Automatic Merchandis...

After exploring smart market innovation in Part 1, Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch’s coverage of the 2026 NAMA Show shifts the focus from hardware to something just as critical: The technology, infrastructure and support systems that are powering the industry forward. Back on the convention floor in Los Angeles, contributing editor  Bob Tullio continues the conversation with a wide...

Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast host Bob Tullio did so many interviews from the convention floor at the 2026 NAMA Show in Los Angeles that he will be dedicating three episodes to the event. Part one is about the clear theme of the show, smart markets. Walking the floor of NAMA Show 2026, one thing became immediately clear: smart cooler technology has arrived in a big way....

Headed to the 2026 NAMA Show in Los Angeles? This episode of Automatic Merchandiser's Vending & OCS Nation podcast is your insider guide to making the most of your trip - inside and outside the convention center. Podcast host Bob Tullio highlights the must-see booths at this year’s show, featuring cutting - edge innovations in AI, smart retail, and frictionless commerce. Then, he interviews do...

Danni Sra, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, has enjoyed a successful career as an human resources manager, and she wants businesspeople to know that the job of running an HR department goes well beyond rule enforcement – a typical stereotype of what HR managers do. With years of experience in the convenience services industry, she has plenty of valuable advice for operators. In this episode of Automatic Merchandis...

What began as a single smart cooler has evolved into a fully modular smart store ecosystem, giving operators unprecedented flexibility, scalability, and revenue potential. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser and VendingMarketWatch’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast, presented in cooperation with 365 Retail Markets , host Bob Tullio interviews Michael Wood, manager of product management at 36...

Patrick McGinty of VendVue is offering a compelling proposition to convenience services operators: a fully outsourced, end-to-end sales solution. From prospecting to closing, VendVue manages the entire sales process, allowing operators to focus on what they do best — execution, not business development. In this episode of the Vending & OCS Nation podcast, presented by Automatic Merchandiser an...

The convenience services industry is gearing up for one of its most important annual gatherings, as the NAMA Show 2026 takes over Los Angeles from April 22–24. Hosted in and around the Los Angeles Convention Center with a strategic footprint extending into LA Live, this year’s event promises to be more immersive and impactful than ever. In this episode of Vending & OCS Nation, presented in coo...

Aaron Lawton used “books on tape” to enter the world of real estate investing. While doing that, he was a vending route driver, starting early and tending to his rental property in the afternoon. Ultimately, he decided that he hated real estate but loved the vending business. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch 's Vending & OCS Nation podcast, Aaron Lawton from O...

We talk a lot about sales on Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation. This time, we shift gears and tackle something that may be even more important: customer service. In this episode, host Bob Tullio sat down with Brian Wolfe , vice president of global customer service at Harman International and the leader behind JBL’s global customer experience operation, to talk about what really sep...

She is an industry veteran turned consultant. Tammy Stokes has plenty of advice to offer operators and suppliers, old and new, developed over the years in multiple roles. On this episode of Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch’s Vending & OCS Nation podcast, host Bob Tullio sat down with Tammy Stokes, president of Insight Edge Performance. It’s another edition of our consultant seri...

In an interview with Automatic Merchandiser's  Vending & OCS Nation podcast host Bob Tullio , John Hickey , CEO of Tech 2 Success , shares the journey of starting his company, the challenges faced in the tech industry, and the importance of cybersecurity for small businesses. He discusses the future priorities for Tech 2 Success and the role of technology as a problem-solving tool, sharing suc...

What makes Orrin Huebner a leading convenience services consultant? It’s the sheer range of hats he’s worn over his career. From the warehouse to the executive suite, Orrin has seen the industry from every possible angle, giving him a 360-degree perspective that benefits operators of all sizes. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch 's Vending & OCS Nation podcast -...

When he speaks to an audience or works with a client, Kaiser Yang seeks to inspire and energize people to think differently. His goal is to help others unlock creativity and to overcome fear. His proven system is designed for everyday people who want to make innovation part of their daily business experience. Following a successful keynote presentation at the National Automatic Merchandising Assoc...

Are you maximizing your operational efficiency? According to industry veteran and successful convenience services consultant Tom Bauer, small changes in operations can lead to big results for operators. On this episode of Automatic Merchandiser & VendingMarketWatch 's Vending & OCS Nation Podcast, Tom Bauer sits down with podcast host Bob Tullio to reveal five essential focus areas to help...

Especially for those who did not attend the CTW and hear Ethan King's keynote address, the December 16th Podcast with King was impactful. Host Bob Tullio said he heard from several listeners who wanted to learn more.  In that podcast, King explained how AI can eliminate busywork and help convenience services operators focus on growth, relationships and greater productivity. Tullio and King discuss...

According to business broker Mike Kelner, the M&A market for convenience services is red hot. Valuations are higher than ever. It’s a good time to be a convenience services operator and with these market conditions, many operators are pondering their options for 2026. Mike Kelner, owner of VBB Advisors , said he has learned over the years that selling a business is as much a psychological and...

At the Coffee, Tea and Water event in November, podcast host Bob Tullio interviewed around 25 operators and suppliers, asking them about their impressions of CTW. Every one of them was impressed by one thing in particular: keynote speaker Ethan King’s presentation about the power of AI. In this episode of Automatic Merchandiser’s Vending & OCS Nation – part one of a two-part episode – Tullio i...