The AEM Board of Directors met for a final time in 2023 in Fort. Lauderdale, Florida, during the AEM Annual Conference on Thursday, Nov. 30. The meeting’s agenda covered a combination of topics focused on the association and industry challenges and opportunities.
AEM Board Chair Rod Schrader with Komatsu Corporation called the meeting to order, shared his Chair’s report that highlighted many of the successes from the year that were included in the Board’s consent agenda. He highlighted AEM’s membership success metrics, year-end financial forecast and plans for business intelligence outlook reports.
Schrader welcomed Eric Sauvage with LBX Company to the AEM Board, who replaced Leif Magnusson from CLAAS. Magnusson stepped down from the Board after the July meeting, and Sauvage will finish his term and begin a two-year term starting in 2024.
Schrader also thanked Bob Crain from AGCO Corporation for his leadership on the Nominating Committee to finalize the 2024 leadership slate that was approved by the AEM membership at the Annual Business meeting the day prior, Wednesday, Nov.29. The slate includes the 2024 AEM Board Officers and Directors from the Ag Sector Board and the CE Sector Board.
AEM President Megan Tanel gave her President’s report and highlighted the membership success metrics, the work being done to position Hargrove & Associates (HAI) for growth, next steps for employee evolution and staff development, as well as the strategic planning process that is underway.
Strategic Priorities and Strategic Planning
Tanel provided the Board with an overview of the status of the 2023 priorities and a look at the strategic priorities for 2024. The Board approved the 2024 priorities, which will be announced to the membership in early January.
In addition, she offered a summary of the strategic planning process that is underway to develop AEM’s next strategic plan, set for 2025 – 2027. There is a Strategic Planning Task Force in place that consists of representation from AEM’s Board and the Sector Boards and AEM’s Leadership Team. The planning process started in October of this year and will continue through 2024.
Sustainability
Two main issues were discussed regarding sustainability and AEM’s role in helping its member companies move forward faster to support the environment. The Board provided input and approved a Scope 3 Category 11 guidance document that will be released in 2024. The Board also discussed the topic of ESG reporting, and having AEM offer an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting tool to help the supply chain align with sustainability best practices.
Treasurer’s Report
AEM Treasurer Linda Hasenfratz with Linamar Corporation and AEM Chief Financial Officer Kathy Barke presented the year-end financials and provided an overview of the financial results and cashflows through calendar year 2026. They also presented the 2024 budget, which was approved by the AEM Board.
Trade Shows
AEM Senior Vice President of Exhibitions and Marketing Nicole Hallada and AEM Vice President of Exhibitions and Event Services and CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director Dana Wuesthoff provided an update on exhibitions, including The Utility Expo and CONEXPO-CON/AGG. The Utility Expo 2023 exceeded exhibit space and budget goals while achieving increased satisfaction scores for both attendees and exhibitors. The AEM team continues to evaluate show strategy as they begin planning for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026.
Advocacy
Turning to advocacy, 2023 Government and Public Affairs (GPAC) Committee Chair Pat Weiler of Weiler and AEM Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Kip Eideberg provided a report from the actions taken by the GPAC Committee, which included highlights for next year’s AEM Manufacturing Express bus tour.
In addition, the AEM Board:
- Received an update from the Ag and CE Sector Board Chairs, highlighting the sector priorities that will be the focus for 2024.
- Received a presentation from the AEM Exhibitions team regarding plans underway for CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026, as well as updates related to the success of The Utility Expo and World of Asphalt and AGG1.
- Supported the approval of a DE&I statement to guide AEM staff when recruiting for association leadership positions.
- Heard from HAI’s Interim CEO Angela Kay Larson about the work being done to position HAI for growth and success.
The next meetings of the AEM Board of Directors and Ag and CE Sector Boards are scheduled for March 9 and 10 in Washington D.C. For more information, contact AEM’s Megan Tanel at mtanel@aem.org.
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