Our Voices for Vending on Capitol Hill at NAMA Fly-In
Throughout this week our industry’s story was once again brought to the leaders Congress as hundreds of convenience-services professionals gathered in Washington, D.C. for NAMA’s annual NAMA Fly-In & Advocacy Summit. Armed with data and real-world experience, attendees pressed lawmakers on the three policy areas that matter most to operators right now:
- Preserving key Tax Cuts & Jobs Act provisions that let small businesses reinvest and grow.
- Securing nationwide SNAP acceptance for vending and micro market purchases, so operators can expand their service reach to consumers.
- Watching the ripple-effects of tariffs that could raise equipment costs and tighten margins.
At Naturals2Go, we participate in our leadership role in the industry but also on behalf of, and with, operators. We encourage operators to join their local regional advocacy groups and raise their voice to be heard on what matters at a local level as well. The “snack industry” is now marked as having a $40 billion economic impact, according to NAMA – jobs, tax contributions, and more.
“You don’t need a lobbying background to make a difference. Just explain what we do, who we serve, and why policy matters from where you sit.” — Tom Steuber, NAMA Board Chair
Our Capitol Hill crew
On Capitol Hill with NAMA Board member (and fellow NERSA director) John Hickey.
Our advocacy team: Joseph Chun (operator), Jonathan Beck (Director of Human Resources), Lisa Cook (Account Manager Team Lead), Al Lemon (Account Manager), Tim Wear (operator),Tina Paine (VP Corporate Relations & Compliance), and Erich Overhardt (board member).
Why it matters
Whether you manage five machines or a growing enterprise of self-serve retail, the decisions made in D.C. shape taxes, technology costs, and the payment methods your customers rely on. Showing up and sharing your story is the fastest way to keep our industry recession-resilient and opportunity-rich. In the meantime, we are committed to showing up on behalf of the 2500+ operators we have trained to date and growing.
Learn more here about how to join this remarkable industry: naturals2go.com/perfect-business
