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Picture a joint where the pool table’s slanted and the jukebox skips. Your Twix just got stuck in the machine and the coin return doesn't work. Oh, and the coffee’s cold. Nuh uh. Lucky for us, that kind of dilapidation is banished to the imagination ‘round here, thanks to the fine work of nationally recognized machine man Dan Marchetti, the president of Rendezvous Music & Vending.

Marchetti was named the National Automatic Merchandising Association 2014 Vending Operator of the Year, a prestigious industry title that awards his community service, innovation, business ethics and “consistent support of the Vending and Coffee Service Industry.”

Right on, Dan — but don’t rest on your laurels. Humboldt County’s hungry and would-be amused need you.

From a press release:

2014 NAMA Vending Operator of the Year Dan Marchetti, President, Rendezvous Music & Vending

About the Awards

The NAMA Industry Awards are presented to individuals and their companies that best exemplify consistent support of the Vending and Coffee Service Industry. Candidates must exhibit a history of service to their communities and to the Vending/Coffee Service Industry through efforts with NAMA and State Associations. They must be innovative, possess a willingness to expand conventional practices and practice consistent ethical business standards in accordance with the NAMA code of ethics.

The NAMA Vending Operator of the Year Award recognizes an individual and their company who has exhibited the highest level of integrity, dedication, and leadership in the vending industry and demonstrated the promotion of NAMA’s Balanced for Life campaign. Candidates must have developed and implemented practices to combat obesity, ideally in schools and business institutions. The recipient of this award must excel in all areas of business and show leadership within the community.

About Dan Marchetti
On January 1, 1949, Rendezvous Music and Vending began as a partnership between Dan’s grandfather and father. Jukeboxes, pool tables, cigarette machines and “bingo” pinballs were the mainstay.

In 1967, Rendezvous bought Kwik Kafe Vending and became a full line vending company. Rendezvous Music and Vending incorporated in 1969. During high school and college vacations, Dan would ride with the route drivers and clean machines, learning the business.

From 1970 to 1973, Dan served in the US Army as a Photo Interpreter assigned to the 2nd Military Intelligence Battalion in Germany. After the Army, Dan started working full time in the vending industry at A-1 Vending in Albany, Oregon, before moving to Eureka, Calif., to work for Rendezvous Music & Vending. He began as a vending route driver, and then became a music and games route driver. Next he moved into the position of service tech, then manager and finally general manager in 1992.

Dan is now the president of Rendezvous Music & Vending and has been in the vending business over 40 years. Rendezvous Music & Vending became a Canteen Franchise in 2004 and is now celebrating 65 years in business.

Dan was voted Operator of the year in 2013 by the California Automatic Vendors Council (CAVC). He is on the board of CAVC. He is a member of the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA), Amusement and Music Operators Association (AMOA) and the newly formed California Entertainment Machine Association (CEMA). He is a also a member of Eureka Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business’ (NFIB), Eureka Elks Lodge #652, Native Sons of the Golden West, Ferndale Parlor #93, Humboldt County Tip Club, co-founder and past treasurer of Businesses against Meth Use and a past president of Cutten-Ridgewood Recreation District.

Dan and his wife Nancy have been married 44 years. They have a daughter Deanna, son-in-law Scott and a grandson, Aaron Tucker.

About NAMA
NAMA is the association representing the $42 billion U.S. vending and refreshment services industry. With more than 1800 member companies — including the world’s most recognized brands — NAMA provides advocacy, education and research to its constituency.