EVEX 2025 captivates in Croatia

A hugely successful EVEX 2025 took place in the seaside city of Split (Croatia) from 9 – 12 September at the splendid Le Méridien Lav.

Since 2015, EVEX – the European Vending Experience – has grown into one of the industry’s most anticipated annual gatherings, combining cutting-edge innovation, thought leadership, and powerful networking in Europe’s most vibrant destinations. After editions in cities like Rome, Bucharest, and Cannes, it was time to meet at the Adriatic. With a growing local industry as well as the recent formation of a Croatian Vending Association (CROVENA), there were plenty of new opportunities to tap into.

Indeed, with an attendence of 300 participants from 34 countries – including around 100 vending operators – and 35 sponsors, the event clearly proved attractive to players from all corners of Europe and further afield.

During the EVA Annual General Assembly, elections to the new Executive Committee took place with several tightly fought seats, for the new 3 year mandate. After a few years’ absence, Paolo Ghidotti returns to the board and was elected as President. The full composition is as follows:

• Paolo Ghidotti (Bianchi Industry) – EVA President
• Alberto Giovonni (Brita) – EVA Treasurer
• Mihai Ungureanu (O’Fresh) – 1st Vice President
• Jürgen Göbel (Ingenico) – Vice President
• Antonio Tartaro (IVS) – Vice President
• Ariadni Skliri (CPI)
• Michele Pellegrinelli (Evoca Group)
• José Manuel Mendoza (ANEDA)
• Aris Kaschefi (BDV)
• Michele Adt (CONFIDA)
• Christian Mengus (NAVSA)
• Pascal Uffer (Boost Inc)
• Peter van Griensven (Maas International)

The new EVA Executive Committee

As usual the latest market statistics were presented for the first time, giving a new glimpse as to the interesting developments in the sector. Another EVA activity that was closely followed was the work on the new communication specification – entitled ‘SmartLink’ – which aims to replace current machine protocols with a new more connected and future-proof specification to help enable vending to be more efficient and connected in the coming years. A draft version of SmartLink is to be published by the end of this year, with a working demonstration to be showcased at next year’s Venditalia exhibition.

The focus theme of the Conference programme this year was Artifical Intelligence (AI) in our sector, with each full day featuring a keynote speech on the subject by either Matthew Blakemore or Arnaud Llamas Bravo, and how it can help transform vending and automate processes.

Attendees could also listen to insightful success stories of vending operators who dared to make drastic changes to their business to adapt to the rapidly changing consumer needs.

A regular feature of the EVEX programme, an intimate trade show for two and and half days featured the latest vending and coffee and unattended retail technologies, and sponsors were furthermore able to to present in more detail their products during dedicated and well attended pitches. Attendees were of course able to vote for their favourites as part of the EVEX Highlight Awards, with the winners declared as follows:

EVEX Highlight – Jury Award

Vendlive, by Boost Inc

EVEX Highlight – Attendees Award

Necta Barista 600 Pro Touch, by Evoca Group

The remarkable 95 and 70 year anniversaries of the UK (AVA) and French (NAVSA) vending associations were furthermore marked and celebrated during the event

EVEX of course, could not have taken place without our sponsors, members and attendees who made the event the success that it was and the EVA is very grateful for the support.

We will communicate the date and location of EVEX 2026 in due course, so stayed tuned!

EVEX Welcome Dinner