Press Release

Discover the Future of Automated Retail and Kiosks at ARKI 2025

Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show Brings Together Industry Leaders to Explore the Latest in Self-Service Technology

December 5, 2025

TAMPA, FL – The Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show (ARKI 2025) will convene operators, brands and technology leaders from retail, foodservice, hospitality and vending for three days of learning, networking and collaboration, December 10-12, 2025, at the Hilton Tampa Downtown.

The event – produced by Networld Media Group, publisher of KioskMarketplace.com and VendingTimes.com – addresses the rapid convergence happening across the automation landscape, where vending, kiosks, robotics and autonomous retail are increasingly interconnected, providing attendees with actionable insights and connections that drive business growth.

"Retail, banking and restaurants are just some of the major industries driving the exploding self-service market," said Kathy Doyle, CEO of Networld Media Group. "This is an important conference for suppliers of ATMs, kiosks, vending machines and self-service checkout systems. Digital solutions enhancing customer experience and reducing staff costs will continue to push this market forward at an accelerated rate."

Why Attend ARKI 2025

ARKI offers attendees unparalleled opportunities to stay ahead of the curve in self-service and automated retail technology:

Learn from Industry Leaders – The agenda features voices from across the automation landscape, including California Pizza Kitchen, LBX Food Robotics, Burroughs, Farmer's Fridge and Aramark, offering practical perspectives on growth, sustainability and customer engagement.

Expert Keynote Leadership – Steven King, CEO of BlueSky Robotics and Distinguished Professor of Innovation and Emerging Technology at UNC, will co-host the event and deliver the opening keynote.

"When we talk about creating good customer experiences, it's not limited to one particular device or one particular technology," King explained. "As these technologies all grow, they all interconnect with each other. AI is making that so much easier. This conference gives us a chance to allow people to explore and find new things they may not have seen."

King's keynote will examine how automation can enhance rather than replace human connection in self-service environments. "When people talk about ROI and saving because of automation, they are mostly talking about labor savings," King said. "But the companies that are doing this really well, the brands that are succeeding in this are ones that are choosing to move those people to do better engagement with their end clients, with those customers to enhance that customer experience."

Cross-Industry Insights – ARKI brings together diverse perspectives from multiple sectors, allowing attendees to discover innovations beyond their usual focus.

Comprehensive Programming Across Two Content Tracks

ARKI 2025 will feature two dedicated content tracks designed to provide attendees with a complete picture of trends and innovations:

Automated Retail Track – Focusing on vending, micro-markets and emerging automated retail solutions

Kiosk Innovation Track – Exploring advancements in self-service kiosks, ATMs and interactive technologies

The agenda features speakers from across the automation landscape, including California Pizza Kitchen, LBX Food Robotics, Burroughs, Farmer's Fridge and Aramark, offering practical perspectives on growth, sustainability and customer engagement.

Key sessions include:

• Predictive Kiosks: Leveraging AI for Proactive Service & Data-Driven Decisions – A deep dive into how data is transforming decision-making and maintenance
• Smart Vending, Smarter Brands – Exploring how AI, IoT and consumer insights are fueling 24/7 data-driven convenience
• Seamless Self-Service: Crafting Kiosk Experiences That Build Brand Loyalty – Demonstrating how intuitive UX can turn transactions into lasting brand impressions

Industry Recognition and Networking

The event will honor excellence through The Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Awards, recognizing companies and individuals driving the industry forward. Categories range from Best Payments Innovation to the Responsible Innovation Award.

ARKI 2025 is known for its accessible, relationship-driven atmosphere, featuring the Welcome Reception and Meet the Speakers Dinner Party, providing ideal settings for meaningful professional connections.

"This is really about bringing people together for conversations," King said. "It's about engaging with people—not just vendors, but operators and the ones who are actually doing the work in the field and engaging with customers and seeing how they're doing it."

Event Details

What: Automated Retail and Kiosk Innovation Show
When: December 10-12, 2025
Where: Hilton Tampa Downtown, Tampa, Florida
Registration: automatedretailandkiosks.com/register/

About Networld Media Group

Networld Media Group is a leading B2B media company serving the retail technology, digital signage, self-service, and systems integration industries. Through its portfolio of events and publications, Networld Media Group connects solution providers with decision-makers driving innovation across multiple sectors.

Media Contact:
Cherryh Cansler
VP of Events, Networld Media Group
cherryhc@networldmediagroup.com