AEM’s CE Sector Board of Directors met last week in Aventura, Florida to discuss a number of key sector initiatives. The agenda also featured updates from AEM staff regarding the association’s service areas, including advocacy, regulatory, and trade shows.
CE Sector Board Chair Eric Sauvage, president & CEO, LBX Company LLC, called the meeting to order and welcomed Directors to the 2025 fall meeting and AEM Annual Conference. In addition, he highlighted the progress made to achieve the CE Sector Board priorities, the success of recent and upcoming trade shows, and the continued strength of the AEM membership.
Trade Shows
Nicole Hallada, AEM’s senior vice president, exhibitions and marketing shared results from The Utility Expo, held Oct. 7-9, 2025, in Louisville, KY. The show broke records for square footage, exhibitor count, attendance, and revenue despite substantial challenges from the weather and ongoing facility construction.
AEM Vice President, Exhibitions Data & Technology Integration and CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director Dana Wuesthoff discussed performance trends for the upcoming 2026 CONEXPO-CON/AGG show, and a new public relations approach.
Leadership Groups
John Rozum, AEM’s senior director of industry sectors, reported on several new leadership groups created to serve member needs, including an on-road leadership group, power source leadership group, and powered attachment leadership group.
John Somers, AEM’s vice president of construction and utility sector, shared updates about ongoing work with underground utility damage prevention, the CE Technology Leadership Group, and re-establishment of an aftermarket support leadership group.
Futures Council
Rozum then provided a report on the next steps for the newly re-established AEM Futures Council. The group has determined the top five disruptors that may impact the equipment industry and will assign each topic to a different work group. Vision teams will be established in the next few weeks, and all Directors are encouraged to nominate subject matter experts from their companies to participate.
Advocacy
Kip Eideberg, AEM’s senior vice president of government & industry relations, shared an update of AEM’s expanded footprint in Canada, including new full-time staff and member events.
Directors then received a federal advocacy update from AEM Vice President of Federal Affairs Kate Fox Wood. This included a discussion on tariffs, Right to Repair legislation, and USMCA.
2026-2027 Sector Priorities
Incoming CE Sector Board Chair Erica Baird, executive director of global sales and service, Cummins Inc, then led a discussion about 2026-2027 Sector priorities and a group exercise to gain feedback from Directors.
The group recognized outgoing board members John Grote, Grote Industries, Pete Large, Trimble, and Brian Metcalf, Ring-O-Matic, as well as thanked them for their many years of service to AEM. Incoming Chair Erica Baird, Cummins, and Vice Chair Jay Allen, Allen Engineering, were also recognized. Directors then showed their appreciation to CE Sector Board Chair Eric Sauvage for his years of leadership.
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 on AEM CE Sector activities and initiatives, contact AEM’s John Somers at jsomers@aem.org.
