The 婷婷激情五月天 (FEMA) has extended the submission deadline for its inaugural AgTech Arena Pitch Competition to September 28, 2026, giving agtech innovators additional time to showcase their technologies to the agricultural equipment industry.

The competition will bring emerging agtech companies together with manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, investors and industry leaders during 贵贰惭础鈥檚 2026 Marketing & Distribution Convention, October 27鈥�29 at the New Orleans Marriott.

Five startups will be selected to present their solutions live before a panel of industry professionals and convention attendees. The winning startup will receive a $10,000 grand prize, and convention attendees will have the opportunity to vote for a $1,000 People鈥檚 Choice Award.

The AgTech Arena is open to innovative startups developing technologies and solutions in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, autonomous systems, precision agriculture, sensors, software and advanced manufacturing. University teams and researchers with strong commercial potential are also encouraged to apply.

Selected participants must be present in New Orleans October 27鈥�29 to deliver their pitch in person at 贵贰惭础鈥檚 Marketing & Distribution Convention.

New Submission Deadline: September 28, 2026

Agtech innovators interested in participating can submit their proposals at FarmEquip.org/AgTechPitchContest.

The AgTech Arena Pitch Competition is presented in collaboration with AgTech Alchemy.

If you haven鈥檛 downloaded the FEMA app yet, now is the perfect time. And if you already have the app, be sure to refresh or update it to make sure you have the latest features and information.

Download or refresh the app today using the QR code or by visiting to access the latest updates and features.

Your Farm Show Directory Is Ready

Did you know you can use the FEMA app to access the Farm Show Directory? The directory helps you stay up to date on farm show dates and locations, and the RSVP feature is now working, making it easy to let FEMA know which shows you plan to attend.

To access the directory, tap 鈥淔arm Show Guide鈥� at the bottom of the home screen. Look for the tractor icon.

From there, you can search for shows by city, state/province, or event name. Each listing includes event dates, location information, website links, and contact details.

Get Convention-Ready with the FEMA App

If you鈥檝e had the app for a while, refresh it today so you can take advantage of the latest updates. You can also use it during the Marketing & Distribution Convention in New Orelans to find attendees, view sessions and schedules, bookmark sessions, schedule meetings and more.

Stay tuned to the Shortliner for more app tips and tricks!

Tye鈥檚 connection to FEMA and the shortline equipment industry spans decades. He served as President of FEMA from 1991 to 1992 and has been a member of 贵贰惭础鈥檚 Risk Management Committee for 27 years. Through that involvement, he has continued to contribute his experience and perspective to issues affecting manufacturers and the broader shortline industry.

A respected business leader, engineer, and entrepreneur, Tye built his career around innovation, manufacturing, and growth in the agricultural equipment industry. After earning engineering degrees from Texas Tech University and Oklahoma State University, he held leadership positions in manufacturing before taking the helm of a small, family-owned farm equipment company in Lockney, Texas.

Under his leadership, the company grew into Ag婷婷激情五月天 Group, a major North American manufacturer that was later acquired by AGCO Corporation. Tye鈥檚 contributions to the farm equipment industry were further recognized with his induction into the Farm 婷婷激情五月天 Shortline Legends Hall of Fame.

While his professional accomplishments have had a broad industry impact, Tye continues to support his community and the agricultural equipment industry through civic leadership and investment. Tye resides in Plainview, TX, with his wife, Vel.

FEMA congratulates John Tye on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his many years of leadership and service to the association, the shortline industry, and the West Texas community.

Source:

贵贰惭础鈥檚 2026 Marketing & Distribution Convention, October 27鈥�29 at the New Orleans Marriott, brings manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and industry leaders together for three days of ideas, connections, technology and opportunities to look ahead.

This year鈥檚 convention is about more than sitting in a meeting room. It鈥檚 about discovering what鈥檚 next, connecting with the people shaping the industry and bringing home ideas you can put to work.

Big Ideas. Real Conversations.

The convention lineup features a mix of main-stage programming designed to give attendees a broader view of the industry and the forces shaping its future.

The Joint Opening Breakfast Keynote, The Unstoppable You, by Alex Weber, will kick off the convention with inspiration, energy and practical strategies for personal and professional success.

The Ag Autonomy鈥檚 鈥淪tate of the State鈥� session with Chris Hunsaker, Founder and CEO of Acuitus Ag, will explore the rapidly evolving world of AI, automation, software and agricultural autonomy and what it means for the equipment industry.

The Economic Outlook, presented by Patrick Luce and Jeremy Bess of Stantec Consulting Services, will provide insight into the economic conditions affecting equipment manufacturers and the broader agricultural industry.

Additional breakout sessions will give attendees opportunities to dig deeper into the topics that matter to their businesses, with sessions focused on Risk Management, 婷婷激情五月天 Market Trends & Data, and Payments & Cash Flow. More session details coming soon.

The FEMA AgTech Arena and Pitch Contest will put emerging technology and innovation front and center, featuring live presentations from innovative companies, a $10,000 Grand Prize and a $1,000 People鈥檚 Choice Award – plus food, drinks and plenty of opportunity to connect.

Three Days. One Room. A Lot to Take Away.

Whether you come to learn, network, explore new technology, gain a better understanding of the market, or simply reconnect with people who understand the equipment business, the 2026 Marketing & Distribution Convention is designed to give you plenty of reasons to be there.

Click Here to See Who鈥檚 Attending

Taking place Thursday, October 29, the Joint Industry Showcase gives attendees a dedicated opportunity to meet exhibitors, discover products and innovations, and connect with companies and people who can help move their businesses forward.

And this year, we鈥檙e adding a little Mardi Gras flair to the experience.

Explore. Connect. Win.

Attendees will have the opportunity to collect five Mardi Gras beads from participating exhibitors. Once you鈥檝e collected your beads, redeem them for a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes.

It鈥檚 a fun reason to make your way around the Showcase and a great way to discover something new along the way.

Exhibitors are also encouraged to bring the spirit of New Orleans to their booths with creative decorations, music, color and Mardi Gras flair.

Make Time for the Companies That Matter to You

The Joint Industry Showcase isn鈥檛 just about walking the aisles. It鈥檚 about making connections.

Attendees can schedule meetings with exhibitors ahead of time, making it easier to connect with the companies, products and services most important to their business.

Whether you鈥檙e looking for a new supplier, exploring technology, searching for solutions or simply want to see what鈥檚 new, the Showcase gives you a chance to have those conversations face-to-face.

Booth Space Is Still Available

Want to put your company in front of FEMA members? Booth spaces are still available for the Industry Showcase. It鈥檚 a great opportunity to showcase your products and services, meet face-to-face with manufacturers, suppliers and distributors, and build valuable industry connections.

Reserve your booth today and bring your best Mardi Gras spirit to New Orleans!

There are conferences you attend.

And then there are conferences where you somehow return home three days later with 47 new ideas, 16 new contacts, approximately 900 unread emails and a serious need for comfortable shoes.

贵贰惭础鈥檚 2026 Marketing & Distribution Convention is shaping up to be the latter.

From October 27鈥�29 at the New Orleans Marriott, FEMA members will gather for three days of education, networking, business conversations, new ideas and鈥攊f history is any indication鈥攁 fair amount of laughter along the way.

The future may be in the room, but knowing how to make the most of your time there is half the battle.

With a full schedule, here鈥檚 your unofficial survival guide to making the most of your time in New Orleans.

1. Don鈥檛 try to do everything.

This may be the hardest rule of all.

With educational sessions, networking opportunities, the AgTech Arena, the Pitch Contest, the Showcase and plenty of opportunities for impromptu conversations, it will be tempting to fill every minute of your calendar.

顿辞苍鈥檛.

Leave some breathing room in your schedule. Some of the most valuable conversations at a FEMA convention happen in the hallway, over coffee or when you sit down next to someone you didn’t originally plan to meet.

The goal isn’t to attend everything.

The goal is to leave with something valuable.

2. Show up for the big ideas.

The convention opens with a joint Opening Breakfast featuring keynote speaker Alex Weber, whose presentation, The Unstoppable You, will kick off the event on Wednesday morning.

Consider this your first opportunity to put the phone down, grab some coffee and actually be present.

Because sometimes the idea you need most isn’t the one you came looking for.

3. Bring your curiosity to the AgTech Arena.

Technology continues to change the way agriculture鈥攁nd the equipment industry鈥攄oes business.

The FEMA AgTech Arena will put that innovation front and center, including the convention’s AgTech Pitch Contest, where emerging companies will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas.

You don’t have to be a technology expert to get something out of it.

Just be curious.

What are these companies developing? What problems are they trying to solve? And what could those ideas mean for your business five years from now?

Pay attention. Today’s startup could become tomorrow’s industry partner.

4. Make room for the economic reality check.

Innovation is exciting, but somebody still has to make the numbers work.

The convention’s Economic Outlook session with Patrick Luce and Jeremy Bess will provide a chance to step back and look at the broader economic environment affecting manufacturers, distributors and the agricultural equipment industry.

Bring your questions.

And maybe your calculator.

5. Network like you mean it.

“Networking” can sound like one of those things you’re supposed to do at a convention.

But at FEMA, it’s often one of the biggest reasons to be there.

Talk to someone you don’t know.

Sit at a different table.

Introduce yourself to a new member.

Reconnect with someone you haven’t seen in a year.

Ask another manufacturer how they’re handling something you’re struggling with.

The best conversations aren’t always the ones listed on the agenda.

6. Wear comfortable shoes.

This is not optional.

You will walk more than you think you will.

You’ll walk to sessions. You’ll walk to breakfast. You’ll walk to the Showcase. You’ll walk to talk to someone who is “just over there.”

And then you’ll walk some more.

Your future self will thank you.

7. Don’t forget the Showcase.

Set aside time to attend the industry showcase and see what’s new, meet exhibitors and explore products and services that could help your business.

Even if you aren’t actively looking for something, take a lap.

You never know what鈥攐r who鈥攜ou might discover.

8. Put your phone to work鈥攂ut don’t let it run the convention.

Yes, take pictures.

Yes, connect with people on LinkedIn.

Yes, check the FEMA app for schedules, information and updates.

But don’t spend the entire convention looking at the screen in your hand instead of the people standing in front of you.

The people in the room are the reason you’re there.

9. Bring business cards. Or at least be ready to connect.

You may not exchange a single business card.

That’s okay.

Just make sure your LinkedIn profile is current, your contact information is easy to find and you have a way to follow up with the people you meet.

Because making a great connection is only half the job.

Following up is where the real value begins.

10. Leave room for the unexpected.

Maybe you’ll meet a potential customer.

Maybe you’ll discover a new technology.

Maybe you’ll hear an idea that changes the way you look at your business.

Maybe you’ll reconnect with an old friend.

Or maybe you’ll have a 20-minute conversation over coffee that turns out to be the most valuable part of the entire convention.

You can’t schedule those moments.

You just have to leave room for them.

Your FEMA Convention Survival Kit

If you want to be fully prepared, pack:

• Comfortable shoes
• Business cards鈥攐r a charged phone
• A notebook or notes app
• Questions you’ve been meaning to ask
• An open mind
• A willingness to meet someone new
• Your sense of humor
• And, ideally, a little extra room in your suitcase for all those new ideas

Most importantly: Show up.

A convention is only as valuable as what you put into it.

So come ready to learn. Come ready to connect. Come ready to share what’s working鈥攁nd what’s not.

Because the future of this industry isn’t happening somewhere else.

The Future Is in the Room. Will You Be?

贵贰惭础鈥檚 2026 Marketing & Distribution Convention
October 27鈥�29, 2026

Register here by August 31 to save $100 on your registration fee.

The morning begins at the renowned , where local chefs will present an entertaining, interactive cooking demonstration featuring classic Louisiana favorites. During this two-hour experience, guests will learn about the traditions behind authentic Creole and Cajun cuisine while watching each dish come to life. Best of all, every course is served fresh as it’s prepared, accompanied by complimentary beverages. Each guest will also receive a collection of the featured recipes to recreate these iconic dishes at home.

Following lunch, the tour continues with a guided visit to . Through engaging exhibits, fascinating artifacts, and captivating stories, guests will discover the rich history and unique cultural heritage that have shaped the Crescent City for generations.

Whether you’re visiting New Orleans for the first time or returning to one of America’s most vibrant destinations, this special guest tour offers the perfect blend of delicious food, local traditions, and fascinating history鈥攁ll wrapped in the warm hospitality for which New Orleans is known.

Tour Details

• Registration Fee: $150
• Includes: Interactive cooking demonstration, lunch, complimentary beverages, recipe booklet, admission to The Historic New Orleans Collection Museum, and a guided museum tour.

Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spot when registering for the convention. Contact Sarah@FarmEquip.org for more details.

Fiduciaries play pivotal roles in ensuring the integrity of a retirement plan. Generally, fiduciaries are defined as individuals who have discretionary authority over the plan or control over plan assets.

Federal law assigns certain responsibilities to plan fiduciaries. Fiduciaries are held to a legally defined standard, and many plan sponsors don鈥檛 have the expertise needed to meet all of their fiduciary responsibilities.

It’s up to you to hire service providers and consult experts to help guide your decisions. However, you鈥檙e ultimately responsible for the decisions you make鈥攅ven if you鈥檙e following the guidance of an expert.

Here are seven main responsibilities you have as a fiduciary:

1. Operate in the best interest of plan participants

Fiduciaries must avoid conflicts of interest and act solely in the interest of plan participants and their beneficiaries. Documenting key decision factors can help prevent the perception of favoring others at the expense of participants at the expense of participants.

2. Follow the plan documents

Plan documents are the foundation of your plan, outlining important terms and conditions. You should be familiar with the plan documents and ensure the plan operates based on its established terms. If you don鈥檛 follow the terms precisely, it could be considered a breach of your fiduciary duties, and your plan may experience an operational failure.

3. Make timely disclosures

You鈥檙e required to distribute annual鈥攁nd sometimes mid-year鈥攏otifications to your participants. These disclosures/notifications generally need to be made within 30 days of their due date. Events like the beginning of a new plan year or changes to investments trigger these required disclosures.

4. Diversify investments

As a plan fiduciary, your retirement plan investment lineup must be diversified to help reduce the risk of large investment losses. You should consider each plan investment as part of the plan鈥檚 entire portfolio and monitor the fund performance regularly. Make sure to document these investment decisions and the reasons behind them. It may be helpful to work with an expert to conduct the investment selection and monitoring process or guide you in your decision-making.

5. Evaluate plan fees

When evaluating fees paid by the plan, focus on the value a recordkeeper or other service providers offer instead of focusing solely on the actual cost. As the fiduciary, you must determine whether fees are reasonable in relation to the services provided. An easy way to do that is by reviewing your plan鈥檚 fee disclosure notifications. Overall, you鈥檒l want to understand the fees you have, who鈥檚 paying them, and to whom they鈥檙e paid.

6. Review your process

The Department of Labor (DOL) recommends fiduciaries establish and follow a formal review process for assessing service providers at reasonable intervals, but for large plans, the DOL recommends assessing every three to five years.

Additionally, be sure to evaluate your service provider, reviewing their:

• Overall performance
• Ongoing support, including any reviews or reports they鈥檝e provided
• Actual fees charged, including any notices of upcoming changes to their compensation

7. Protect your plan

Explore how your service provider protects your data by implementing security measures that are suggested by the DOL, such as:

• Multi-factor authentication for participant logins
• Encrypting plan data
• Providing participants with cybersecurity education, including:
  • How to make strong, unique passwords
  • Beware of free wi-fi and phishing
  • Using antivirus software and more

All these steps are essential components of meeting your fiduciary responsibilities鈥攁nd providing a valuable retirement plan to your participants.

Eric O鈥橠onnell is a director of retirement product development for Sentry Insurance. Sentry provides cyber liability, property, casualty, life insurance, and retirement products to dealers and other businesses. Learn more at .

贵贰惭础鈥檚 new AgTech Arena Pitch Competition is designed to connect emerging agtech companies with the manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, investors and industry leaders who can help turn promising ideas into real-world products and businesses.

Five startups will be selected to pitch live at 贵贰惭础鈥檚 2026 Marketing & Distribution Convention in New Orleans, with a $10,000 grand prize and a $1,000 People鈥檚 Choice Award up for grabs.

The competition is open to innovative startups working in areas including AI, robotics, automation, autonomous systems, precision agriculture, sensors, software and advanced manufacturing. University teams and researchers with strong ideas are also encouraged to participate.

SUBMISSIONS OPEN – Complete your application today!

Want to learn more about the competition, eligibility and when to apply?

鈫� Get the Complete AgTech Arena Details

Presented in collaboration with AgTech Alchemy.

Mark your calendar for October 27-29, 2026, and join us at the New Orleans Marriott for FEMA’s Marketing & Distribution Convention. This premier event continues to be the farm equipment industry’s best opportunity to build relationships, discover new business opportunities, and gain practical insights that help your company stay competitive.

A Tradition of Connecting the Industry

For more than 75 years, FEMA has brought together manufacturers, marketers, distributors, independent sales representatives, suppliers, and industry leaders to strengthen the distribution channel and move our industry forward. What began in 1951 as a gathering of wholesalers has evolved into one of the most valuable business events in the shortline equipment industry.

Today, the convention remains focused on what matters most鈥攈elping members make meaningful connections that lead to new partnerships, expanded markets, and long-term business growth.

Why Attend?

The Marketing & Distribution Convention is where business relationships begin.

Held jointly with the 婷婷激情五月天 Marketing & Distribution Association (EMDA), the convention offers unmatched opportunities to meet face-to-face with distributors, independent sales representatives, and fellow manufacturers from across North America. Whether you’re launching new products, expanding your dealer network, or strengthening existing partnerships, there simply isn’t another event like it.

Education You Can Put to Work

This year’s educational program is packed with timely, practical sessions designed to help your business navigate today’s challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Highlights include:

• Opening Keynote with Alex Weber 鈥� Discover how to embrace change, build resilience, and develop the mindset needed to thrive in an evolving business environment.
• Economic Outlook General Session 鈥� Patrick Luce and Jeremy Bess of Stantec Consulting Services will provide valuable insight into the economic trends shaping agriculture, manufacturing, and the equipment industry.
• Property Insurance Strategies 鈥� Learn how changing property insurance markets are affecting manufacturers and discover practical ways to better protect your facilities while identifying opportunities to reduce insurance costs.
• Learning From Legacies 鈥� John Dahl of Amity Technology shares leadership lessons, business insights, and the values that have helped build one of the industry’s most respected companies.
• FEMA AgTech Arena 鈥� Experience the inaugural startup pitch competition showcasing emerging technologies in precision agriculture, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, and next-generation equipment solutions.

Spotlight on the Industry Showcase

One of the most anticipated events of the convention is the Industry Showcase , where manufacturers, distributors, independent sales representatives, suppliers, and service providers come together for an afternoon of focused networking and business development.

Unlike a traditional trade show, the Showcase is designed to encourage conversations. Its open tabletop format makes it easy to discover new products, explore potential partnerships, reconnect with longtime industry contacts, and meet companies that can help grow your business. Whether you’re looking to expand your distribution network, identify new suppliers, or introduce your latest products, the Industry Showcase offers an efficient and productive environment to make meaningful connections.

Many attendees say the Showcase is where some of the convention’s most valuable business relationships begin.

Make the Most of Your Time

One of the greatest values of the convention is the opportunity to schedule one-on-one meetings with distributors, independent sales representatives, suppliers, and fellow manufacturers.

Be sure to review the attendee registration list before arriving and begin scheduling appointments early. Don’t miss the EMDA Contact Session, where manufacturers introduce themselves and their product lines to distributors and independent representatives, creating the perfect starting point for new business relationships.

Join Us in New Orleans

Set against the backdrop of the historic French Quarter, the New Orleans Marriott provides the perfect setting for three days of learning, networking, and business development.

Whether you’re attending for the first time or have been coming for years, you’ll leave with fresh ideas, stronger connections, and practical strategies to help your company succeed.

Register today and make plans to join us in New Orleans for FEMA’s 2026 Marketing & Distribution Convention. We look forward to seeing you there!