The National Automatic Merchandising Association, or NAMA, is the American national trade association of the convenience services industry, including vending, micro markets, office coffee service, and foodservice management.[1] Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, NAMA represents more than 1,000 member companies, including hundreds of small businesses.[2]
Carla Balakgie is president and CEO of NAMA. Before joining the association in 2011, Balakgie served as CEO of the Electronic Transactions Association.[3]
Heidi Chico, president of National Vending LLC, chairs NAMA's board of directors.[4] [5]
In the summer, NAMA convenes an annual Fly-In, which brings more than 300 industry leaders to Washington, D.C. to discuss calorie disclosure requirements, overtime pay, and other issues affecting the convenience services industry.[6] [7] In a July 2017 op-ed column published in The Hill, Balakgie claimed Fly-In attendees hold more than 200 meetings with members of Congress to "ensure that the voice of the convenience services industry is heard on Capitol Hill."[8]