AEM Board Sets 2026 Priorities, Discusses Advocacy, Finances, and Trade Show Successes

The AEM Board of Directors met for the final meeting of the year on Nov. 21 as part of the AEM Annual Conference held at the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Miami. The Board met to review the year's successes and challenges, including topics such as the AEM Strategic Plan progress, advocacy initiatives, finances, exhibitions, among others.

AEM Chair Linda Hasenfratz with Linamar Corporation called the meeting to order and provided her Chair's report, highlighting the steady progress by the AEM staff towards achieving the Strategic Plan and yearly goals. She also referenced important initiatives such as AEM's engagement with the Trump Administration, the ongoing focus on Canada, which has resulted in additional opportunities for member involvement and industry activities, as well as recent successes with AEM's Hargrove Association Insights (HAI) business.

AEM President & CEO Megan Tanel shared her President's Report with the Board, which focused on an overview of the many accomplishments the AEM staff and the membership accomplished through ongoing collaboration. Her report also detailed the organizational work underway to support our people strategy initiatives, as well as our commitment to data transformation to deliver greater value to AEM members through enhanced data insights.

2025 Goals & Strategic Plan Progress

The Board reviewed the 2025-2027 strategic goals and objectives and received a high-level overview of the good progress being made on the nine priorities for 2025. In addition, the Board approved the priorities for 2026, which will be shared with the membership in early January.

Treasurer's Report

AEM Treasurer Melvin Porter with Link-Belt Cranes and AEM Chief Financial Officer Kathy Barke reviewed the 2024 AEM retirement plan audits and presented AEM's 2026 budget for review and approval.

Advocacy

Brian Bieller of BOMAG Americas, 2025 Chair of the AEM Government and Public Affairs Committee, and Kip Eideberg, AEM senior vice president, provided updates on ongoing engagement with the Trump administration, state and federal regulatory affairs work, expanded advocacy efforts in Canada, and public affairs initiatives to the tell the industry's story, including the release of "The Makers" campaign. 

Trade Shows

AEM Senior Vice President of Exhibitions & Marketing Nicole Hallada and AEM Vice President of Exhibitions Data and Technology Integration Dana Wuesthoff provided a high-level overview of CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 and the work underway to elevate the show through strategic storytelling and media targeting. They also highlighted the results of The Utility Expo, including the successful registration and exhibit space results. The discussion included approval by the Board of Kevin Thomas, Alamo Group, as Chair of The Utility Expo 2027. And with World of Asphalt and AGG1 set for March of 2027, they updated the Board on strategic developments underway to strengthen the show.

Hargrove Association Insights (HAI)

HAI President Sara Truesdale Mooney shared the HAI update, including business development progress, leadership and people strategy, IT developments, and the strategic planning goals achieved in 2025 with priorities set for 2026.

The Board meeting concluded with an open forum, where Board members shared highlights and challenges faced during this pivotal year.

The next meetings of the AEM Board of Directors, CE Sector Board, and Ag Sector Board are scheduled for Feb. 5, 2026, for a virtual Year in Review. For more information about the Ag Sector Board, contact AEM's Megan Tanel at [email protected].