ARKI Awards

The Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation (ARKI) Awards honor the companies and organizations driving innovation in automated retail, self-service, kiosks, vending, robotics, AI, payments, and related technologies.

Whether you develop breakthrough technologies or use them in your business, the ARKI Awards recognize innovators raising the bar for customer experience.

How It Works

Submit Your Nomination
Enter a technology solution, product, deployment, or innovation that is making a measurable impact on customers, operations, or business performance.

Judging Criteria
Entries will be evaluated based on:

• Innovation and originality
• Business impact and measurable results
• Customer experience improvement
• Scalability and market potential

Up to 10 Winners Selected
A panel of industry experts will review all nominations and select up to 10 winners for this year’s ARKI Awards. Winners will be announced during the week of October 19, 2026, and each will receive:

• Recognition as an ARKI Award winner in a story published on Connect Retail Technology sites including KioskMarketplace.com, VendingTimes.com and RetailCustomerExperience.com.
• Promotion across Connect Retail Technology social media channels.
• Graphic for you to announce your selection as a winner to your followers.
• One complimentary pass to attend the ARKI Awards presentation ceremony at the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show.

Innovator of the Year Announced at ARKI
All ARKI Award winners will be recognized during a special presentation at the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show in Miami Beach, Dec. 14–16.

During the ceremony, we will announce which of the ARKI Award winners our judges selected for our highest honor: Innovator of the Year.

Why Enter?

Winning an ARKI Award signals that you are leader and innovator in using technology to deliver outstanding customer experiences.

Winners receive:

• Recognition among the industry’s most innovative organizations
• Independent validation from respected industry judges
• Increased visibility among retailers, restaurants, hotels, and other end users
• Enhanced credibility with customers, prospects, and partners
• Media exposure and promotional opportunities

Who Should Enter?

The ARKI Awards are open to:

Technology Providers
Companies developing innovative solutions for automated retail and self-service environments, including kiosks, vending, payments, robotics, AI, digital ordering, customer engagement, and related technologies.

Technology Deployers
Retailers, restaurants, hotels, convenience stores, healthcare providers, airports, and other organizations using technology to improve customer experiences, increase efficiency, or drive business results.

Organizations may nominate their own innovations, deployments, or implementations. To be eligible, the nominated innovation, technology, or deployment must have been introduced, launched, or significantly enhanced on or after July 1, 2025.

Ready to Enter?

For your nomination, you will be asked to provide:

• A brief, non-confidential description of the innovation, technology, or deployment (1,500 characters maximum)
• A detailed explanation of the solution, implementation, business impact, and results achieved (5,000 characters maximum)
• Supporting materials such as videos and photos

Once you have gathered your materials, click the button below to submit your nomination.