ABOUT NAMA

NAMA represents the $34.9 billion US convenience services industry. 

Committees

Governance Committees

Executive

The Executive Committee functions as a leadership team for the Board, acting with powers delegated to it by the Board. It facilitates the effective work of the board of directors with regard to strategy, planning, financial administration and programmatic oversight in execution of the board’s governing duties and responsibilities. The committee reviews and advises management on financial operations, reserve positions, and investment matters for the organization. It oversees administration of the NAMA Employee Pension Plan including compliance with legal and IRS regulations, and appropriate risk management strategy. In the interim between board meetings, the Executive Committee also acts on behalf of the board on essential business matters to the extent permitted by law or otherwise not prohibited by board policies. Led by the NAMA Board Chair, the Committee is comprised of the NAMA board officers and up to three voting directors as appointed annually by the Chair with the approval of the board. The President & CEO serves as an ex-officio member of the committee.

Audit

The Executive Committee functions as a leadership team for the Board, acting with powers delegated to it by the Board. It facilitates the effective work of the board of directors with regard to strategy, planning, financial administration and programmatic oversight in execution of the board’s governing duties and responsibilities. The committee reviews and advises management on financial operations, reserve positions, and investment matters for the organization. It oversees administration of the NAMA Employee Pension Plan including compliance with legal and IRS regulations, and appropriate risk management strategy. In the interim between board meetings, the Executive Committee also acts on behalf of the board on essential business matters to the extent permitted by law or otherwise not prohibited by board policies. Led by the NAMA Board Chair, the Committee is comprised of the NAMA board officers and up to three voting directors as appointed annually by the Chair with the approval of the board. The President & CEO serves as an ex-officio member of the committee.

Director Nominations

The Director Nominations Committee recommends candidates for service on the NAMA Board of Directors that are seated through election by the general membership. Utilizing established policies, procedures and best practices, the committee works to identify the most highly-qualified slate of candidates to execute the duties of the governing board and to advance the strategic goals and objectives of the association. The committee is chaired by the immediate past chair of the board and includes the current chair, two past directors, and representatives from 2-4 member companies at-large. Voting members of the board may serve on the committee but are prohibited from serving as chair. Committee composition is proposed annually by the board chair and requires approval of the full Board.

Officer Nominations

The Officer Nominations Committee proposes candidates for the officer positions of the board including Secretary / Treasurer, Vice Chair, Chair-Elect and Chair of the Board which are approved annually by majority vote of the full Board of Directors. Committee composition includes the Immediate Past Chair of the Board who serves as chair, two active Chair Emeritus, and two at-large members of the Board who are not current officers or members of the Executive Committee.

Standing Committees

 

Advocacy & Government Affairs

The Advocacy & Government Affairs Committee is responsible for defining transformative, multi-year policy goals that enable convenience services operators to run more profitable businesses and benefit from governmental laws and regulation.  It helps to shape annual strategies that deliver measurable progress, incremental results and maximum value toward NAMA’s broader policy goals.  The Advocacy & Government Affairs Committee also supports the association’s ongoing program of work in developing specific policy positions; identifying, monitoring, and evaluating legislative and regulatory matters at the national and state levels; and communicating to members on matters of importance such as grassroots calls to action, interpretation of regulations, and other compliance-related requirements.

Awards Selection

The Awards Selection Committee’s purpose is to recognize individuals that best exemplify consistent advancement of the convenience services industry and honoring them as Coffee Legend, Operator, Allied Member, and Industry Person of the Year. In addition to identifying the award winners, the committee also advises on the eligibility criteria and nomination process for the awards.

Coffee Services

The Coffee Services Committee (CSC) oversees NAMA’s full range of programs, products and services targeted at this business segment with an emphasis on education for the operator. It plays a primary role in the planning and execution of the Coffee, Tea & Water Show and other coffee-specific activities such as the NAMA Show education sessions and exposition design. The CSC also serves in a liaison role with other NAMA committees to leverage opportunities for delivery of relevant offerings through the association’s broader portfolio of services. This may include: editorial content, research, best practices, training/tools, and advocacy work with NAMA’s various publics on matters of importance to the coffee services sector. CSC members also serve as ambassadors for their interest area and play an active role in the recruitment and retention of members from this market space.

Education and Certification

The Education Committee has two primary roles: 1) to establish and maintain the broad curriculum that comprises the body of knowledge for the convenience services industry; and 2) to guide development of the associated educational programs, products and services that NAMA delivers. This includes but is not limited to content for the NAMA Show, the Coffee, Tea & Water Show, seminars, training sessions, workshops, distance learning offerings and other professional development offerings from NAMA. With regard to certification, the committee reviews existing programs to ensure alignment with competencies as defined by the body of knowledge, and identifies opportunities for development of new certifications as appropriate.

Executive Forum Program Planning

The NAMA Executive Forum Program Committee is comprised of industry thought leaders who support the conceptual development and execution of NAMA’s Executive Forum event. This includes design of education program content, speaker selection, networking activities and planning of the overall forum experience. The committee also is responsible for contributing to the performance of the meeting by guiding marketing activities and helping to drive attendance, sponsorship, and other forms of support in line with programmatic and budgetary goals.

Trade Show Advisory

The Trade Show Advisory Committee (TSAC) provides consultation, feedback and a communications conduit between NAMA Show participants and the association. It is comprised of exhibitors, operators, brokers and distributors who provide input on the event experience and strategies for continuous improvement to boost value and return on investment. TSAC advises NAMA on specific activities, practices, policies and procedures for exposition functions, and assists with onsite activities such as greeting and mentoring first-time exhibitors. Committee members also act as visible ambassadors to all attendees.

Task Forces & Ad Hoc Groups

 

Data Intelligence

The primary goal of the Data Intelligence Working Group is to guide development and dissemination of research, data and statistics for operators supporting data-driven decision making and effective operation of their businesses.  Evolving and expanding over 12-24 months, deliverables include key indicators from government and mainstream business sectors, relevant adjacencies, as well as industry-specific indices.

Emerging Leaders Network (ELN)

The ELN committee provides an important communications conduit between this key constituent group and the association by representing its unique interests and supporting implementation of NAMA’s service response on its behalf. Comprised of future owners/leaders from operator and other companies in the industry supply chain, this advisory group helps to shape thought leadership, association programs, and products and services for the “next generation” of executives who will lead the industry. Recruitment of their peers to membership and active participation in the association is also an expectation of the group.

Service Technicians

The purpose of the Service Technicians task force is to advance educational and networking opportunities for service technicians. The desired result is raising the bar in maintenance and client service capabilities of convenience services as a whole.

Special Interest Group (SIG) Development

The SIGs Development working group helps to identify and establish special interest groups (SIGs) that provide increased member value and engagement through peer-to-peer collaboration. Each SIG provides a venue for NAMA members to: discuss and hear perspectives on current industry issues; explore and solve shared challenges; gain insights on future trends impacting their jobs and businesses; benefit from personal and professional development; connect and network on shared interests.  As of September 2022, four SIGs have been launched: Human Resources/Hiring & Retention; Purchasing/Warehouse Managers; Service Managers; and Small Operators.

Strategic Membership Acquisition

Participants in the Strategic Membership Acquisition working group devise strategies to drive increased membership and engagement from high-value prospects, based on criteria around strategic importance and value to NAMA, and the industry. The group’s focus on garnering quality membership additions, and engaging them in appropriate aspects of NAMA’s programming, enhances mission effectiveness, sustainability and growth for the short- and long-term future.

Vending Data Interchange (VDI) Task Force

The mission of the VDI Task Force is to develop and publish open standards that guide data sharing among technology providers and systems within the convenience services industry. Standards published by the task force ensure the reliability, continuity, and longevity of operator businesses and capital investments.

Women of the Industry (WIN)

NAMA’s Women of the Industry (WIN) Group promotes communication, empowerment, education, wellness, innovation, learning and mentoring to women in the convenience services industry. WIN is open to all women with careers in the industry and from the full spectrum of participating companies. WIN facilitates several activities throughout the year, largely in conjunction with NAMA’s signature events. These activities provide opportunities to promote unity and leadership of women professionals and to support the association’s goal of providing advocacy and education to its members.