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Nominations are officially open for the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation (ARKI) Awards, a celebration of the companies, technologies and visionary innovators who are driving the future of self-service forward.
Photo: Networld Media Group
June 6, 2025 by Sandra Carpenter — Editor, Networld Media Group
From smart vending machines serving up fresh produce to sleek interactive kiosks that simplify everything from payments to product pickups, self-service tech is becoming a big part of how we live and do business. Thanks to rapid advancements in automated retail and kiosk innovation, the way we engage with services is changing fast, and for the better.
Now, it’s time to shine a spotlight on the changemakers behind the scenes.
Nominations are officially open for the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation (ARKI) Awards, a celebration of the companies, technologies and visionary innovators who are driving the future of self-service forward. Formerly known as the Automation and Self Service Awards, the ARKI Awards continue a proud tradition of recognizing the best and brightest in the industry.
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Networld Media Group editors, Sandra Carpenter and Cherryh Cansler, recognizing Tampa International Airport at the 2024 awards. Photo: Networld Media Group |
These awards are a major highlight of the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show (previously the Self-Service Innovation Summit), a key industry event packed with the latest in self-service retail, vending and interactive kiosk tech. It’s the go-to spot for professionals looking to discover next-gen 24/7 sales models, expand their customer reach, cut down on operating costs and explore fresh strategies with real-world impact. Plus, it’s a fantastic place to network with industry leaders and get inspired by what’s next.
The ARKI Awards are all about spotlighting the creativity and problem-solving power that’s pushing this industry into exciting new territory. These innovations aren’t just about making things easier; they’re helping businesses run smarter, offering customers more personalized and engaging experiences, and doing it all with sustainability and efficiency in mind.
If you or your team have launched a game-changing solution on or after Sept. 1, 2024, now’s your chance to be recognized. Submissions are open across five exciting categories:
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Best Automated Retail Innovation: Honoring standout solutions that are shaking up the retail space.
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Best Kiosk Innovation: Celebrating top-tier kiosk design and user experience.
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Best Payments Innovation: Showcasing breakthroughs in payment tech built for self-service.
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Responsible Innovation Award: Highlighting solutions that lead with sustainability, accessibility, or ethical impact.
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Influencer of the Year: A no-fee category recognizing an individual whose leadership and vision have made waves across the industry.
Submitting is simple: You’ll need a short description (up to 1,500 characters), a detailed explanation (up to 5,000 characters) and links to any supporting websites or videos. There’s a $200 fee per category, except for the Influencer of the Year, which is completely free to enter.
Recognition through the ARKI Awards is a chance to showcase how your solution is making a real difference in areas like efficiency, cost savings and customer access.
Nominations close on Aug. 31, 2025, so don’t miss the chance to be part of this exciting moment in self-service innovation.
For full details on the awards, how to submit and everything happening at the show, head to automatedretailandkiosks.com and check out the awards page here.
As automation continues to evolve and reshape how we live, shop, and connect, the ARKI Awards and the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show will remain a must-watch space for honoring the trailblazers moving the industry forward.
About Sandra Carpenter
Sandra is the editor of Kiosk Marketplace and Vending Times. She has been working in editorial and research roles for over a decade and has experience in print, blog, social media and peer-reviewed publications.
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