CONEXPO-CON/AGG

CIMA at CONEXPO-CON/AGG

Value-added services to members, industry

CIMA is developing several programs to provide members and exhibitors with additional customer interaction opportunities at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2002 and IFPE 2002 to showcase the history and scope of construction equipment.

Customer Focus

CIMA is utilizing its relationships with various customer groups such as the Association of Construction Equipment Managers (ACEM) and top rental firms to help bring "VIP buyers" to CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2002.

The Association is organizing an ACEM meeting to be held at the Show, and will also facilitate rental company sales meetings, branch manager meetings and educational sessions at CONEXPO-CON/AGG. CIMA's Al Cervero notes that the Association is in particular targeting branch managers of the rental "giants."

"In the past year or so, the larger rental companies have increasingly deterred their branch managers from attending some niche trade shows, so CIMA wants to spur the top rental companies to utilize CONEXPO-CON/AGG as a company-wide gathering place, thus helping guarantee attendance of a segment that buys thousands of pieces of equipment annually."

Manufacturer Focus Group Opportunities

Many companies bring large contingents of dealers, sales staff and others to the Show, and it provides an excellent opportunity to conduct focus groups. A facilitator's cost may not be feasible for many companies, so CIMA, along with CONEXPO-CON/AGG, is offering a cost-effective way to use this valuable analysis tool by contracting with a facilitation firm that exhibitors can use on a time- and cost-shared basis.

The concept grew out of the Association's increased activities with customer groups, and the value that these sessions provide. CIMA will also conduct a focus group during the Show as part of its continued emphasis on customer outreach to help manufacturers better understand and address customer needs.

Industry Investor Conference

CIMA is reprising its successful Investor Conference first held at the 1999 Show, to provide member manufacturers who are publicly owned companies with targeted exposure to the financial community. Morgan Stanley Dean Witter will facilitate the event.

Members can outline their company capabilities to financial analysts who recommend, buy or upgrade public offerings. The CIMA investor conference is also an opportunity to showcase to "Wall Street" the overall strength and importance of the industry.

Member Product Locator Maps

The Association will further spotlight CIMA members exhibiting at the Show with member-only product locator maps in the CIMA booth that will direct attendees to member company booths providing the products and services they're interested in. For more information, contact Nicole Ketchman (414-298-4129, e-mail: nhallada@aem.org).

>> Go to: Sneak Preview: CIMA Booth

Summer 2001