All attendees, sponsors and speakers must check in at the registration desk and pick up a name badge. Please wear your badge at all times during the Summit.

Spend some time in our tech pavilion, where you'll learn about products and services dedicated to improving your company's operations.

Gong cha, a global bubble tea chain with nearly 2,200 locations across 24 countries, has captivated Gen Z consumers via a blend of human connection and technology, including kiosks and mobile ordering allowing them to explore drink options. Over half of the brand's sales came through the kiosks in the first half of 2024, a fact that Rebecca Kahn, Gong cha's franchise business leader, will discuss. She'll delve into the chain's use of self-service kiosks and how personalized experiences attract customers, drive sales and build brand loyalty.

Emerging technologies are revolutionizing the retail, restaurant, and transportation landscape by transforming how businesses engage with customers and streamline operations. Artificial intelligence is enabling personalized shopping experiences through tailored recommendations and dynamic pricing, while augmented reality allows customers to try on products virtually. These innovations are creating new shopping experiences and redefining the future of our industry.

The integration of voice interaction represents a pivotal advancement for self-service equipment, but embedding this technology into existing software has posed challenges. Challenges exist for integrating both automatic speech recognition and text-to-speech technologies, as well as challenges in managing audio signals.

A panel of brand decision-makers who have ventured into this sector to take the customer journey to new heights share their insights for success.

This session will explore how self-service technology can provide more than just an efficient customer experience; it can also contribute to a healthier, more sustainable world. Going beyond convenience and efficiency, we'll delve into how retailers use the tech to implement sustainable practices, expand health care and empower customer well-being.

While traditional vending machines have been a staple in many public spaces for decades, specialty vending is emerging as a dynamic and profitable segment of the self-service industry. This session will explore the latest trends and innovations in specialty vending, focusing on the products that are driving growth and success.

The panel will cover:

• Product trends, including healthy snacks, fresh produce, gourmet coffee, hot food and more.
• Technology advancements: Exploring the role of technology such as touchscreens, cashless payment options and smart inventory management.
• Customer preferences to identify successful product offerings.
• Location strategies.

Self-service retail, including micro markets and vending machines, is thriving in high-traffic locations such as airports, office buildings, and college campuses. This panel will explore the strategies and tactics needed to maximize revenue and drive growth in this dynamic industry.

Discover how to:

• Optimize micro market operations for maximum profitability in busy environments
• Leverage technology to enhance customer experience and efficiency
• Expand product offerings to meet the diverse needs of on-the-go consumers
• Implement effective marketing strategies to attract and retain customers in competitive locations
• Measure and analyze performance to identify areas for improvement

Join us to explore the exciting opportunities and challenges of self-service retail in high-traffic locations and learn how to position your business for success.

As biometric identification verification has expanded to numerous use cases, consumer privacy laws make it critical for self-service equipment to comply with rules intended to protect consumer privacy. Such laws often require an organization to get a customer's consent to collect their biometric information. 

Whether it be fingerprint or facial image capture, companies that have adopted this technology have learned to comply with consumer protection laws. 

 A panel of experts will offer guidance on how to utilize this technology effectively.

In this keynote, Dr. Morton will explore how innovation in self-service technology can be harnessed to serve and uplift communities. She will discuss the potential to reimagine the self-service industry—beyond convenience and efficiency—to address real-world challenges like food access, healthcare, and sustainability. By blending human-centered design with cutting-edge automation, Anora will illustrate how companies can create meaningful, scalable solutions that not only drive business but also have a lasting positive impact on society.

The Automation & Self-Service Awards are the official awards of the Self-Service Innovation Summit and AutomationAndSelfService.com. The awards honor innovators who are leading the way in the advancement of automation and self-service technologies, including vending, kiosks, robotics and AI.

The annual Automation & Self-Service Awards program aims to inspire and educate companies on how automation and self-service technologies can enhance productivity and profitability while optimizing both the customer and employee experience.

Categories include:

• Best Vending Solution
• Best Kiosk Solution
• Best Use of Robotics
• Best Use of AI
• Responsible Innovation Award
• Influencer of the Year

VIEW THE 2024 FINALISTS

Join us for an evening of dinner and cocktails while you have the chance to Meet the Speakers and editors.

Did you want to talk to a speaker 1-1 after their session today but didn’t get a chance? Do you want to talk with one of our editors about having your content on one of our sites?

Now is your time! Some of our featured speakers and editors will have designated tables where you can chat in an informal setting with them and make that connection.

Free to all attendees, speakers and sponsors.

Discover how retailers and businesses are harnessing the power of self-service technology to revolutionize both operational efficiency and customer experience, while also addressing key challenges like loss prevention and labor costs. Learn about the latest advancements in smart lockers, robotic kiosks, AI-driven computer vision, machine learning, and biometric verification. Explore how these innovations are transforming operations in sectors such as retail, food service, hospitality, airports, pharmacies, manufacturing, and more.

Additionally, embrace the future of automation with cutting-edge kiosk solutions that streamline deliveries, offering speed and convenience. Discover how robotic kiosks are serving up delicious, chef-inspired meals, redefining the customer journey with innovation and efficiency.

Artificial intelligence offers convenience services, retail and restaurant operators new tools to improve operational efficiencies and the customer experience.

AI allows operators to utilize data such as demographic information to tailor the machine menus to the specific location. It also enables the operation to service the machines at the most opportune times, enhancing efficiency and improving customer experience.

While innovation brings new opportunities, identifying what technologies to add and when to introduce them has become more challenging than ever. Operators must be educated about technology and their staffs’ capabilities to choose the right technology.

A panel of operators who have traveled this journey will offer insights.

As we wrap up the Summit, this heavy-hitter panel of industry thought leaders will comment on a variety of topics when it comes to self-service and the customer experience.