NAMA and MSU Celebrate Ten Yeat Partnership

Two Ceremonies Commemorate Historic Collaboration Marking Milestone in Evolution of Our Industry

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. October 08, 2009

CHICAGO, IL, October 7, 2009 - National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) and The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University (MSU) celebrated the historic ten year partnership between the two organizations, NAMA President and CEO Richard M. Geerdes, NCE announced today. The historic collaboration established an important milestone in the evolution of the vending and coffee service industry, delivering a new level of advanced education, research and academic insights for members everywhere.

In discussing the historic anniversary Geerdes said, "It was truly moving to participate in these commemorations because they were a representation and celebration of all that we have accomplished over the past ten years. With the help of the world-renowned faculty at MSU, and our Endowed Professor Dr. Michael Kasavana in particular, our industry today has a level of educational opportunities and academic research that previously just did not exist. In addition, thanks to our partnership our industry is perceived differently and enjoys a new level of professionalism as well."

One ceremony took place on the MSU campus. Almost two weeks later, Dr. Ron Cichy, director and professor in The School, delivered a presentation at the NAMA Expo in Chicago where he recalled the history of the special relationship between The School and NAMA.

Said, Cichy, "It was ten years ago that NAMA was searching for a University with which NAMA could partner to provide educational opportunities and academic research for its members. They looked at several schools and chose The School to create the NAMA Endowed Professor in Hospitality Business. Dr. Kasavana was chosen as the NAMA Endowed Professor, and as a well-known expert on the technological aspects of the hospitality industry, he was a perfect fit for NAMA's strategic focus on technology to upgrade the status and professionalism of their members and their association.

Added Cichy, "Indeed, Dr. Kasavana's impact was immediate. Conducting research in the field, his White Papers gained the attention of the media and even the Federal Reserve. His presence at the annual NAMA Expos gave members access to the latest knowledge in automatic merchandising technology."

Dr. Kasavana also serves on several NAMA committees and task forces, and is an active contributor to NAMA strategic summits. He and several other School professors, MSU professors, and industry executives, also serve as faculty members for NAMA Executive Development Programs and Supervisors' Development Programs, teaching and conducting relevant research.

One of the most successful - and powerful - programs created via the partnership is the NAMA Executive Development Program which is taught at MSU by the very same faculty that teach at the University. The program, which began in 2000, is a powerful educational experience with a strategic focus, and is custom built for the vending and coffee service industries. It is highly regarded within the industry, and is one of NAMA's most popular educational offerings. The next session will be held November 15-18, 2009, and more information is available at [email protected].

About The School of Hospitality Business at Michigan State University

Recognized as the top-ranked hospitality business school in the world, The School celebrates its 82nd year anniversary in 2009. The School has more than 9,000 graduates worldwide, including a number of leading academicians and industry executives, who have earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Founded in 1927, the mission of The School is to continually enhance The School's leadership position in hospitality business education through teaching, research, and service. The School offers an exceptionally well-crafted curriculum, taught by innovative professors who are leading textbook authors, sought-after consultants, and respected researchers. The mission of The School of Hospitality Business Alumni Association is to provide active leadership in support of the mission of The School of Hospitality Business through membership participation, image enhancement, financial commitment, and promotion of synergies among students, faculty, alumni, and friends. The First, The Original, and STILL The Leader. . . The School of Hospitality Business. For more information, please visit www.bus.msu.edu/shb/

NAMA is the national trade association of the food and refreshment vending, coffee service and foodservice management industries including on-site, commissary, catering, & mobile. Its membership is comprised of service companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to operating service companies. The basic mission of the association, to collectively advance and promote the automatic merchandising and coffee service industries, still guides NAMA today as it did in 1936, the year of the organization's founding.

The School of Hospitality Business

232 Eppley Center

Michigan State University

East Lansing, MI 48824

Website: www.bus.msu.edu/shb

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