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.

From economic trends and autonomous technology to tariffs, insurance and risk management, this year鈥檚 speakers will offer insights you can take back to your business.

Alex Weber will kick off the convention with the Opening Breakfast Keynote, 鈥淭he Unstoppable You,鈥� on Wednesday, October 28, from 8:00鈥�9:30 a.m. Weber鈥檚 energetic presentation will focus on personal and professional growth, resilience and reaching your full potential.

Patrick Luce and Jeremy Bess of Stantec Consulting Services will provide an Economic Outlook on Thursday, October 29, examining economic trends and market conditions affecting manufacturers, distributors and the agricultural equipment industry.

Technology takes center stage with Chris Hunsaker, Founder and CEO of Acuitus Ag, presenting 鈥淎g Autonomy鈥檚 鈥楽tate of the State鈥欌�� on Wednesday, October 28. Hunsaker will explore the current state of autonomous agriculture and what may be ahead.

Michael Devereaux, Partner with Wipfli Advisory LLC, will bring tax, tariffs and technology together in 鈥淭ax, Tariffs & Technology: A Manufacturing Mashup, New Orleans Style鈥� on Wednesday, October 28. His session will examine how these issues intersect for today鈥檚 manufacturers.

The Sentry Insurance team, Matt Beigel, Trent Waltenberg and Bryant Hintz, will present 鈥淧rotecting Your Bottom Line: Smart Liability & Risk Management Solutions鈥� Wednesday, October 28. The session will cover product liability, safety inspections, property protection and resources available to FEMA members.

And there鈥檚 more! The convention will also feature sessions on equipment market trends and data, payments and cash flow, risk management and other topics important to today鈥檚 equipment businesses.

Additional details will be announced as the agenda is finalized.

The future is in the room. Will you be?

FEMA 2026 Marketing & Distribution Convention
October 27鈥�29, 2026 | New Orleans Marriott

is wholesaler based out of the Mid-South and is a privately owned and operated family business. Bob Waggoner, President, and all the employees of TEMCO H-M Parts Co., are dedicated to understanding the needs and challenges of our customers as fellow small business owners.

TEMCO H-M Parts Co. offers a wide range of quality products for farm and industrial applications. Additionally, they offer extensive warehousing facilities. Learn more at . 

See future editions for profiles of our other registered marketers. In addition, FEMA’s website has a great tool for finding member distribution partners. You can search for partners by using the map on the left hand side and selecting the services needed. Support the Association by supporting your fellow FEMA members.

Business is built on relationships. In an industry like farm equipment, where manufacturers, distributors and sales representatives depend on one another, there is still tremendous value in sitting across the table from someone, having a conversation and figuring out what you can accomplish together.

That is what makes 贵贰惭础鈥檚 2026 Marketing & Distribution Convention more than another industry event.

From October 27鈥�29, manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and industry leaders will gather at the New Orleans Marriott for three days of networking, business development, education and conversations focused on the future of the shortline equipment industry.

Come to Build Your Business

The convention is designed to help members expand their market reach, strengthen partnerships and explore new opportunities. It is an opportunity to connect with current business partners while also meeting people who could become your next customer, distributor, supplier or strategic partner.

And sometimes, the most valuable connection isn’t the one you scheduled.

It could be the conversation over coffee. The introduction made at a reception. The person sitting beside you during a session. Or the industry colleague who has already solved a problem you are facing.

Those conversations can lead to ideas, partnerships and opportunities that continue long after everyone leaves New Orleans.

Make Three Days Count

A successful convention starts before you arrive.

Review the attendee information. Identify the companies and people you want to meet. Reach out and schedule time together. Then leave room in your calendar for the conversations you cannot plan.

The goal isn’t simply to attend every session or collect as many business cards as possible.

The goal is to leave New Orleans with something you didn’t have when you arrived.

Maybe it’s a new distribution opportunity. A potential customer. A solution to a business challenge. A new supplier. A better understanding of where the industry is headed.

Or simply a relationship worth developing.

New Orleans Is Part of the Experience

Of course, there’s another reason to make the trip.

This year’s convention takes place in New Orleans, giving attendees the opportunity to connect in one of the country’s most memorable cities. The New Orleans Marriott is located near the French Quarter, putting restaurants, entertainment and the city’s distinctive culture just steps away.

The convention also includes opportunities to connect outside the meeting rooms, including the Industry Showcase and a special evening aboard The City of New Orleans on the Mississippi River.

The People in the Room Matter

FEMA’s convention has always been about more than presentations.

It is about people who understand this industry.

People who face many of the same challenges. People who have ideas to share. People who can open doors. People who may become customers, partners, mentors or friends.

That’s the real value of getting together.

The Future Is in the Room. Will You Be?

FEMA’s 2026 Marketing & Distribution Convention
October 27鈥�29, 2026
New Orleans Marriott | New Orleans, Louisiana

Ready to Join Us?

[REGISTER HERE] and start planning your trip to New Orleans.

What does the future hold for farm equipment? From economic trends and agricultural autonomy to tariffs, technology, insurance and cash flow, 贵贰惭础鈥檚 2026 Marketing & Distribution Convention will tackle the issues that matter most to manufacturers, suppliers and distributors.

With insights from experts across the industry, attendees will gain practical information, fresh perspectives and ideas they can take back to their businesses.

Featured sessions include:

• The Unstoppable You: Alex Weber will kick off the convention with an energizing keynote focused on resilience, mindset and achieving personal and professional success.
• Economic Outlook: Patrick Luce and Jeremy Bess of Stantec Consulting Services will examine the economic landscape and what current trends could mean for businesses across the farm equipment industry.
• Ag Autonomy鈥檚 鈥淪tate of the State鈥�: Chris Hunsaker, Founder and CEO of Acuitus Ag, will take a look at the rapidly evolving world of agricultural autonomy, including advancements in AI, automation and software and what they mean for the future of equipment.
• Tax, Tariffs & Technology: A Manufacturing Mashup, New Orleans Style: Michael Devereaux, Partner at Wipfli Advisory LLC, will connect tax policy, tariffs, technology and workforce challenges, while exploring AI, automation, cost pressures and opportunities to take advantage of valuable tax incentives.
• Property Liability & Property Insurance: Sentry Insurance will provide insights into property liability and property insurance, helping businesses better understand important risks and insurance considerations.
• Payments & Cash Flow: Jake Noe from Evolv will dive into payments and cash-flow considerations, offering practical insights to help businesses manage one of the most important aspects of day-to-day operations.

More Opportunities to Learn

Additional breakout sessions will give attendees the chance to dig deeper into the topics that matter most to their businesses, including Risk Management and 婷婷激情五月天 Market Trends & Data.

Ready to Join Us?

[REGISTER HERE] and start planning your trip to New Orleans.

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

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.

As summer begins to wind down, many of us are looking ahead to one of the highlights of the year 鈥� our FEMA Marketing & Distribution Convention in New Orleans. Before long, we’ll be gathering with friends, colleagues, and industry leaders for a few days of learning, networking, and conversations that continue long after we return home.

Every year, I hear members say, “I’m so glad I made the trip.” The value of this convention goes far beyond the educational sessions. It’s about the relationships we build, the ideas we share, and the opportunity to spend time with people who truly understand the challenges and opportunities we face in our businesses every day.

Our industry is constantly changing. New technologies, evolving customer expectations, and shifting market conditions require all of us to keep learning and adapting. One of the greatest benefits of FEMA is that we don’t have to do that alone. We have an association of members who are willing to share their experiences, offer advice, and help one another succeed.

Some of my favorite moments each year aren’t necessarily in the meeting room. They’re the conversations over coffee, catching up with longtime friends, or meeting someone new who offers a different perspective. Those connections often become just as valuable as anything you’ll hear from the stage.

Whether you’ve attended for years or are considering your first convention, I encourage you to join us October 27鈥�29 at the New Orleans Marriott. You’ll leave with practical ideas, new connections, and a renewed appreciation for what makes this Association so special.

Thank you for your continued support of FEMA and for everything you do to strengthen our industry. I look forward to seeing many of you in New Orleans this October!

Marc Ivey
FEMA Board President

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.

Hint: A quick vertical video from your cell phone is perfect!

See an example here: 

You could be featured in an upcoming FEMA social post, along with a link to your company鈥檚 website.

Ready to send your video? Upload it here: /upload

It鈥檚 quick. It鈥檚 easy. And you might just be our next featured member!