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Dear IVA Members, 

We hope you are weathering this economic downturn and are finding opportunities for continued growth where possible. Just like your business, the Independent Vendors Association is experiencing the same effects and is announcing it will be suspending new memberships as well as halting the publication of the IVA Quarterly Magazine and newsletters.  

Beginning immediately we will be evaluating the services and delivery methods of information provided in order to better serve you in the future.  

Current members will still retain their membership benefits minus the publications, including 30% discount on all IVA business products, 5% discount on parts products through Vendnet, favorable placement for vending management locations and referrals as well as free business phone assistance. 

Unfortunately the shift in the markets and the employment sector is affecting services on all levels and shrinking the number of serviceable sites. While larger operators are letting go of accounts that are now becoming too hard to cash flow, smaller independents see an opportunity to pick up these accounts with smaller equipment or fewer stops. We encourage you to keep your tabs on businesses in your area that are downsizing but still need food service. 

On a brighter note, with the downturn, employees are cutting back on taking their lunches off the property and many businesses are seeing longer hours put in by their existing employees. Some larger business that provided on site prepared meals are looking to stop these services because of manpower and other costs. This is opening up opportunities for cold and microwavable food service. You are seeing the evidence in the upturn McDonald's and other convenience retailers are seeing a growth in these areas.  C-Stores have been effective at marketing their products and communicating freshness and variety to their customers. If you are in a position to support cold and frozen you might look at small add-on or satellite food machines to your existing equipment. These machines allow you to provide fresh or microwavable foods at a low equipment cost and a right-size capacity letting you stock only what you need to service the account. 

Respectfully,  

Mike McGillis 

Editor 

Independent Vendors Association