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.

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.

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!

The future of the farm equipment industry is shaped by the relationships you build, the ideas you discover, and the conversations you have today. That’s why the Marketing & Distribution Convention brings together manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, marketers, and industry partners for three days of education, networking, and business development designed exclusively for the shortline equipment industry.

This year’s program features keynote speaker Alex Weber, who will share strategies for embracing change and building resilience, along with FEMA’s Economic Outlook General Session presented by Stantec economists Patrick Luce and Jeremy Bess. Attendees will gain valuable insight into the economic trends and market forces shaping the future of agriculture.

New for 2026 is the inaugural FEMA AgTech Arena, a live startup pitch competition showcasing emerging technologies in precision agriculture, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, sensors, and next-generation farm equipment. Attendees will hear directly from innovators, watch companies compete before a panel of industry judges, and vote for the Fan Favorite Award.

The convention also features the EMDA/FEMA Showcase, creating valuable opportunities for manufacturers to connect with wholesalers and independent sales representatives, while giving distribution professionals the chance to discover new product lines, build partnerships, and explore innovative solutions from across the industry.

Beyond the educational sessions, some of the convention’s greatest value comes from the conversations between meetings. Whether you’re looking to expand your dealer network, introduce new products, strengthen partnerships, or gain fresh ideas, the Marketing & Distribution Convention is where meaningful connections turn into lasting business opportunities.

Registration, hotel reservations, and the convention agenda are available now at FarmEquip.org. Join us in New Orleans and discover why the future is in the room. Will you be?

Register today at: FarmEquip.org

While the Supply Summit offered many opportunities for strengthening networks within the industry, the informational sessions provided members with insight that will aid their decision making in the coming months. 

General Honor茅 spoke to attendees about leadership both at the office and at home. He implored members to save their best leadership for their home and families. 

Doug Bruce and Heather Bruce of Osmundson Manufacturing Co. spoke candidly about transitioning the family business from the fourth generation of leadership to the fifth, and lessons learned along the way. 

Jim Meil, ACT Research gave an economic forecast for the rest of 2022 and 2023 and provided attendees with some signals to watch out for. Baxter Saucier of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership of Louisiana educated members on how the MEP National Network can help manufacturers reduce costs, improve processes and more. The Tillage Council brought in speaker, Scott Shearer from The Ohio State University, who discussed crop management trends and innovations as they apply to tillage equipment. 

A special thank you goes out to our Showcase Exhibitors, whose support and involvement help make the convention successful.
 The Showcase took place Thursday afternoon, April 7, and 56 companies displayed. Attendees were able to learn more about each exhibitor and set up a time for a future meeting. If you鈥檇 like a copy of the Showcase booklet with information on exhibiting companies,  please email Sarah@FarmEquip.org.

With a focus on connecting manufacturers with suppliers, the Supply Summit & Showcase is a unique mix of social and educational opportunities. Thank you to all who attended the convention, especially those who volunteered to help with planning and execution of the events. Your membership and engagement with the Association matters.

鈥淚f there ever were a moment in which manufacturers were seeking to build and strengthen relationships with suppliers, this is it,鈥� said Executive Vice President Vernon Schmidt. 鈥淭he singular purpose of this convention is to create opportunities for manufacturer-supplier partnerships, and supply chain happens to be among the single greatest challenges in the industry. Our manufacturing members are seizing this opportunity.鈥�

For suppliers who have not yet registered, you have time to reserve a booth in the Supplier Product Showcase. This afternoon show, while it is the cornerstone of the meeting, is supported by a series of networking events and speaker sessions that offer attendees opportunities to get to know one another beyond the product-and-price conversation.

It has historically been an event in which problems are solved together during conversation on the golf course, shooting range, or in a hotel hallway. Learn more at the Summit website at FarmEquip.org. Find:

• Who has already registered:
• Online registration form:
• Speakers and topics:
• Showcase exhibitors:
• Networking opportunities:

If you prefer a conversation, we鈥檙e here. Call the office at (314) 878-2304.

Mask Mandate Lifted!

Attendees to our 2022 Supply Summit in New Orleans need not pack a mask. The city鈥檚 health director lifted the indoor mask mandate last week following Mardi Gras celebrations in the city.

The city鈥檚 requirement to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test result is expected to be lifted after March 21. The Association is monitoring the status each day.

Test Drive a Forklift Simulator

Attendees at the Product Showcase will have the opportunity to strap on a pair of virtual reality glasses and operate a forklift.

The virtual training simulates truck types typically used in warehouses and distribution centers, including a stand-up-reach truck, a stand-up counterbalance, and a man-up order picker.

Sponsor a Speaker/Break

Raise your visibility in the Association by sponsoring a speaker session, refreshment break, or a display in the registration area. Get in touch with Meeting Director Sarah Stevener to learn more about how sponsors are acknowledged during the event. Find her at Sarah@FarmEquip.org, or (314) 878-2304.

That is why this seems like the right time to ask you to get a few dates on your calendar. We fully intend to be together in Oklahoma City in November and for every convention thereafter. Please join us.

2021 Marketing & Distribution Convention
Nov. 2 to 4
Omni Oklahoma City

2022 Supply Summit & Showcase
April 6 to 8
Hilton New Orleans Riverside

2022 Marketing & Distribution Convention
Oct. 25 to 27
Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista