What Are You Going to Miss If You’re Not in the Room?

The future is in the room. Will you be there?

What Are You Going to Miss If You’re Not in the Room?

Nearly 300 people have already registered for FEMA’s 2026 Marketing & Distribution Convention in New Orleans, making this the Association’s strongest fall meeting registration since 2023 in Kansas City.

That kind of response says something.

But the real question isn’t how many people will be in the room. It’s what happens because they’re there.

You can read an article, watch a webinar or follow the latest industry headlines from your desk. But you can’t recreate the conversation over breakfast, the introduction between sessions or the idea that comes from talking with someone who approaches a challenge differently.

What Could You Miss?

A business opportunity.
FEMA brings together manufacturers, distributors, suppliers, technology providers and other industry professionals who understand the unique challenges of the shortline equipment industry. Those conversations can lead to new customers, partnerships and opportunities.

There’s nothing quite like being at a FEMA meeting and making face-to-face connections that can turn into real business opportunities. According to Tracey Wiedmeyer of Gripp, connections made at a previous FEMA convention have already resulted in two customers, with three more potential deals in the wings. It’s a great example of how a conversation at a FEMA meeting can lead to business long after the meeting ends.

An idea that changes your perspective.
The 2026 program tackles some of the issues shaping the industry right now, including:

• Economic conditions and the equipment market
• AI, technology and agricultural autonomy
• Tariffs and their impact on manufacturing
• Risk management
• Payments and cash flow
• Equipment market trends and data

You can always read about what happened afterward. But you can’t recreate the conversation you missed.

Featured speakers include Alex Weber, keynote speaker and author, The Unstoppable You; Chris Hunsaker of Acuitus Ag, agricultural autonomy and emerging technology; Patrick Luce and Jeremy Bess of Stantec Consulting Services, economic trends and the farm equipment industry; Matt Beigel, Trent Waltenberg and Bryant Hintz of Sentry Insurance, risk management and workplace safety; Mike Devereux of Wipfli, tax, tariffs and technology; Jake Noe of Evolv, payments and cash flow; and Jeremy Hewitt of Tractor Zoom, dealer sales and technology.

A look at what’s coming next.
The FEMA AgTech Arena will put emerging technology in front of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and investors. This year’s broader conversation also includes universities and startup manufacturing opportunities, creating new connections between established industry and the next generation of ideas.

A conversation you didn’t plan to have.
Maybe the most valuable conversation won’t be on the agenda. It could happen over breakfast, walking between sessions or sitting next to someone you’ve never met.

You might discover:

• A supplier you didn’t know existed
• A solution to a problem your company is facing
• A potential customer or business partner
• An emerging technology worth watching
• A new perspective on an issue affecting your business

You won’t know unless you’re there.

The Future Is in the Room

FEMA’s Marketing & Distribution Convention is more than three days of presentations. It’s an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day and be part of the larger conversation shaping the shortline farm equipment industry.

Nearly 300 people have already made the decision to be there. If you haven’t registered yet, there’s still time to join them in New Orleans October 27-29.

The future is in the room. Will you be there? Register today at FarmEquip.org