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Annual Conference Highlights
AEM annual conference highlights - “Going from Good to Great”
 A mood of optimism pervaded the 2003 AEM annual conference of member companies, as some 300 attendees gathered in San Francisco October 19-21 to share ideas and strategies to help their companies go beyond good – to great.
The conference theme reflected the tenets in the well known book by Jim Collins titled Good to Great, with a focus on leadership, dedication, innovation and determination.
Set in San Francisco, at the historic Palace Hotel, the AEM conference offered attendees two days of intensive business-learning sessions. The annual AEM golf tourney and several social networking receptions/dinners provided additional opportunities to share experiences and insights with industry peers, and a variety of optional activities were designed to acquaint attendees with the many attractions of the fabled host city.
Annual Business Meeting
 During the conference, AEM conducted its annual business meeting, which included the election of directors. AEM Chairman Ronald DeFeo and President Dennis Slater also provided attendees with an update on 2003 association activities.
“Industry Feud” highlights customer survey results
The AEM annual conference included an interactive “Industry Feud” game based on the “Family Feud” TV show, as a fun way to convey the key results of AEM’s “Doing Business with Manufacturers” survey of 700 equipment customers on what they want from manufacturers in the months and years ahead. Full survey results are being compiled and will be posted on the AEM website.
Conference Snapshot
 The presentations at the annual conference included:
- Leadership strategies with Captain Michael Abrashoff, commander of the USS Benfold, the “best damn ship in the Navy.”
- Economic opportunities (global and sector) from Gerard Baker of the Financial Times and Harry Baumes of Global Insight.
- The impact on business of non-tariff trade barriers from Robert Noth (Deere and Co.).
- A focus on innovation by Robert Tucker, leading author whose books include Winning the Innovation Game and Managing the Future: 10 Driving Forces of Change for the New Century.
- Equipment valuation strategies with a panel discussion by Rod Beeler (Caterpillar), Charles Stamp (Deere and Co.), Denis Prevost (Ritchie Brothers) and rental industry analyst Dan Kaplan.
- “State of the Industries” report provided by AEM’s Supplier Council.
- Weathering cyclical times with insights from AEM members William Lasky (JLG Industries) on supplier management and Robert Vermeer (Vermeer Manufacturing) on human resources issues.
- Inspirational teambuilding philosophies from J.C. Watts, former U.S. Congressman and college Orange Bowl quarterback.
AEM Financial Update >>
New Directors Elected >>
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