AEM Withdraws from Proposed Collaborative Venture with the National Farm Machinery Show
October 11, 2017
The Association of Equipment Manufacturers has decided to withdraw from a proposed collaboration with the Kentucky State Fair Board and its National Farm Machinery Show.
Last February, AEM and the KSFB signed a letter of intent and announced a verbal agreement on the showfloor of the 52nd annual NFMS at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville.
Under the agreement and starting with the 2018 show, AEM would have assisted with the show’s management and co-production with the intention of elevating the exhibitor and attendee experience. The association would have also had an equity position in the future growth of the event.
The letter of intent was based on collaborative discussions between KSFB (as well as Kentucky Exposition Center staff) and AEM regarding show management based on exhibitor input.
Although the discussions were positive, the two parties were not able to reach a final agreement on how to proceed forward. As a result, AEM’s Ag Sector Board made the decision to withdraw from the proposed venture.
“In today’s competitive marketplace, it is important for companies to leverage their presence at trade shows into sound investments,” said John Lagemann, chair of AEM’s Ag Sector Board.
He added, “With that in mind, we remain hopeful that we can continue to find ways AEM and the KSFB can collaborate going forward for the benefit of the industry.”
As the largest U.S. trade show for the farming industry that draws in more than 300,000 attendees, exhibitors and agribusiness professionals spanning 1.2 million square feet of expo space, NFMS contributes $20.1 million in economic impact to the Kentucky Commonwealth each year.
The 2018 show is scheduled for Feb. 14-17 at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
According to AEM officials, the association remains committed to providing ways for its members to have meaningful engagement with farmers, including its existing relationship with Commodity Classic and additional educational events.
As a Milwaukee-based trade association for companies that manufacture equipment for industries including agriculture, construction, mining and utility, AEM also produces ICUEE - The Intl. Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition at the Kentucky Exposition Center, which draws nearly 11,000 attendees to a 1.2 million net square foot showfloor, as well as the massive CONEXPO-CON/AGG, which boasted a record 2,800 exhibitors spanning more than 2.8 million sq. ft. of exhibit space at the Las Vegas Convention Center last March.
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