Boxoffice-January.07.1950

—
AT THE DROP OF
With Coins for
Clerks,
The National Automatic
Merchandising
Ass'n.
Meets In Atlantic City
I ATEST ADVANCES OF THE LUSTY INFANT member of America's
retail distribution system— tlie vending machine industry
were revealed to thousands of vending equipment and supply
buyers at the four-day annual convention of the National Automatic
Merchandising Ass'n, opened November 27 in the worldfamed
Convention hall of Atlantic City, N. J.
The association represents manufacturers and operators of merchandise
and service vending machines and their suppliers. Those
who sell or operate amusement or gaming devices are not eligible
for membership.
The exhibit was opened by George M. Seedman, convention
chairman, assisted by Ford S. Mason, NAMA's president. Joining
Seedman and Mason in the opening ceremonies were Mrs. Harrie
Kronenberg of Birmingham, Ala., ladies' activities chairman, and
Mrs. J. R. Edwards, Kansas City, Mo., honorary women's
chairman.
The majority of the 139 exhibitors showing their goods reported
sales to be "excellent." Others who planned little, If any,
actual selling during the four-day period said that exceptional
interest was shown during the exhibit. Some of the various types
of vending machines included those offering hot sandwiches,
milk, ice cream, hot coffee, hot chocolate, soup, bakery goods,
books, nylons, cigaret and cigar vending machines.
More than 40 candy manufacturers displayed the latest vendable
sweets and eleven major soft drink syrup manufacturers,
five gum manufacturers and three match-making firms were
numbered among the 1949 exhibitors.
In an election of officers for 1950 which included five new
directors for a three-year term, George M. Seedman, vice-president
of The Rowe Corp., New York City, and NAMA convention
chairman for three years, was elected president of NAMA for the
ensuing year. Seedman succeeds Ford S. Mason, Ford Gum &
Machine Co., Lockport, N. Y., as president.
J. Bernard Lanagan of the Nik-O-Lok Co., Indianapolis, was
named vice-president. John T. Pierson of the Vendo Co., Kansas
City, Mo., was re-elected treasurer.
The five newly elected members of the board of directors increased
the number to 18. They included Seedman, Davre J.
Davidson, Davidson Bros., Los Angeles; E. F. Hinkle, Automatic
Canteen Co. of America, Chicago; I. H. Houston, Spacarb, Inc.,
New York, and Arthur F. Schultz, Arthur F. Schultz Co., Erie, Pa.
Fen Doscher, president of Sales Executives Club of New York
and vice-president in charge of sales, Lily-Tulip Cup Corp., New
York City, spoke at the opening convention session and was followed
by Zenn Kaufman, merchandising director, Philip Morris
& Co., Ltd., New York, and I. H. Houston,
At a special legislative luncheon, held on the second day of the
convention, Fred L. Brandstrader, NAMA's legislative counsel
told the general membership that city, county and state tax
officials are becoming increasingly aware of the fact that automatic
merchandising is a recognized form of retail distribution.
Brandstrader reviewed the recent developments in tax matters
in Florida, Kentucky, Chicago and a number of California cities.
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