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Welcome to the first combined January/February issue of Automatic Merchandiser. This is a year of change in our industry. Companies in all industry segments — operators, manufacturers, distributors and brokers — and trade organizations have restructured to operate more efficiently.

Automatic Merchandiser has examined the market forces creating a new business environment over the years, so it comes as no surprise that it — the industry’s premier information resource — changes as well.

The challenges of the current recession have catapulted many organizations to adapt to a new business environment. The recession itself is merely a catalyst to some changes that began years ago.

For years, many have predicted the National Automatic Merchandising Association would consolidate its twice-a-year trade show into one expo. This year, that change comes to fruition.

A NEW PUBLISHING SCHEDULE

This year, Automatic Merchandiser publishes nine instead of 12 issues. In addition to combining January and February, we will combine June and July as well as November and December.

While we are publishing fewer issues, our staff’s workload has grown exponentially since our interactive products have mushroomed.

INTERACTIVE PROPERTIES EXPAND

As the traditional magazine has declined in page counts, our Internet initiatives have increased to the point that it has become necessary to reallocate resources — in a way that continues to address our readers’ and advertisers’ needs.

In 2002, we launched VendingMarketWatch.com, the daily Internet news and commentary feed. VendingMarketWatch has become the industry’s leading forum for news and opinion — with an international presence.

VendingMarketWatch has also given birth to a host of interactive properties: an online buyer’s guide, promotional e-blasts, instructional Webcasts, live online trade show coverage, blogs, and podcasts, with more concepts under development.