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nifed Strategies Group (USG) conducted a Membership Seminar and Technology 101 Seminar in St. Louis, MO, Sept. 10 to 11. Forty-eight representatives from thirty-three USG member companies were in attendance. USG staff introduced rebate-enhancing technologies and programs, includ- ing newly released programs such as Performance Central, Purchase- Power 3.0 and the USG Order Center which make it easier for members to attain all available man- ufacturer rebates. Tutorials regard- ing the new programs were presented, as well as a review of many new supplier rebate programs. USG will repeat the Membership Seminar at the NAMA CoffeeTea&Water; Show in Dallas, TX, on Nov. 11. Technology focused The second day of the seminar was dedicated to telemetry, cashless vending and other technology-related subjects. Operators discussed the announcement by Apple that the new iPhone 6 will contain a NFC chip and the idea that smartphone payment technol- ogy may advance rapidly, meaning members need to be prepared for the change in the preferred method of payment that vending consumers may be looking to use. U USG Conducts Membership, Technology 101 Seminar will also be representing and marketing Fastcorp machines to independent kiosk owner/ operators at industry trade- shows throughout Canada. NAMA Files Comments With The EPA ▶ NAMA fled a request to the Environmental Protec- tion Agency (EPA) asking for an extension on the com- ment period for a proposed rule that has the potential to alter the list of accept- able uses for refrigeration coolants used in new and retroft vending machines and micro market coolers. The request, fled in conjunction with several trade associations, asks for a 60-day extension on the comment period for the proposed rule: Change of Listing Status for Certain Substitutes Under the SNAP Program (Docket No. EPA- HQ-OAR-2014-0198). If the rule goes into effect, several refrigeration chemicals and blends previ- ously listed as acceptable alternatives to ozone-deplet- ing substances, could now be considered unacceptable in certain circumstances, including in the use of vend- ing and refreshment industry equipment. Unified Strategies Group focused on technology and new programs in its Membership Seminar. USA Technologies Total Revenue Up 15.7% Q4 2014 ▶ USA Technologies, Inc. reported results for the fourth quarter and fscal year ended June 30, 2014. For the fourth quarter total revenue was $11.2 million, an increase of 15.7 percent compared to $9.7 million in the fourth quarter of fscal 2013. Equipment sales were $1.7 million compared to $1.5 million in last year's fourth quarter, a 15.5 percent increase. For the year ended June 30, 2014, revenue was $42.3 million compared to $35.9 million in fscal 2013. U-Vend, Inc., Fastcorp Sign Agreement ▶ U-Vend, Inc. announced that it has signed a Mas- ter Distributor Agreement (MDA) with Fastcorp Vend- ing (Fastcorp) to become Fastcorp's exclusive vending distributor in Canada. Under the agreement, U-Vend will utilize Fastcorp's self-serve kiosks for all of its corporate location requirements and T O P N E W S C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S OCT. 28-30 NCA Coffee Summit 2014 Hyatt Regency Boston Boston, MA Phone: 646-924-4033 www.ncausa.org NOV. 5-6 Customer Engagement World Javits Convention Center New York City, NY Phone: 203-371-6322 www.cetworld.com NOV. 11-13 CoffeeTea&Water; Show Hyatt Regency Dallas Dallas, TX Phone: 312-346-0370 www.coffeeteaandwater.org DEC. 3-4 Avanti Markets Operator Meeting Marriott Phoenix, AZ Phone: 888-937-2826 x703 www.avantimarkets.com 16 Automatic Merchandiser VendingMarketWatch.com October 2014