AEM ADVOCACY AWARDS

Honoring engagement in advocacy that drives industry progress

The AEM Advocacy Awards recognizes and celebrates AEM member companies that participate in the association’s grassroots advocacy program (I Make America) and help advance the industry’s policy priorities through various other advocacy efforts. Each member company that earns an award – Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Pillar of the Industry – will be recognized for their support and commitment to advocacy at the AEM Annual Conference.

AEM member companies are automatically considered for the AEM Advocacy Awards by participating in advocacy-related activities and earning points, and no award submission is needed.

How to Earn Points:

30 POINTS

  • Attend an AEM fly-in in Canada or the U.S.
  • Host an AEM Manufacturing Express stop.
  • Participate in an AEM Demo Day.

20 POINTS

  • Support AEMPAC by sponsoring an AEMPAC reception or making a PAC-to-PAC or individual donation.
  • Host a policymaker for a facility tour through AEM.
  • Host an I Make America event in partnership with AEM.

15 POINTS

  • Participate in a public affairs initiative or media engagement in support of AEM policy priorities.
  • Host a get-out-the-vote drive through Equipped to Vote.
  • Engage with a policymaker in an AEM-arranged meeting.

10 POINTS

  • Interact with I Make America and/or AEM Advocacy on social media from official company social media accounts.
  • Display I Make America posters, PowerPoint slides, or other information materials at facilities.
  • Promote I Make America at trade shows by displaying magnets on equipment.  
  • Participate in an advocacy-related working group.

Award Levels

Participants are recognized based on the number of points earned:

  • Bronze Award: 30+ points
  • Silver Award: 60+ points
  • Gold Award: 90+ points

In addition, the Pillar of the Industry Award is presented to a member company that demonstrates outstanding partnership and commitment to the advocacy program.

2026 AEM Annual Conference Recognition

In early October, AEM Advocacy Award finalists will be emailed to inform them of their counted activities and unofficial point total. Finalists will have until Monday, November 2, 2026, to contest their results. Award recipients will be recognized at this year’s AEM Annual Conference, held November 10-12 in Tucson, Arizona.

For questions about the AEM Advocacy Awards contact Jamie Rudin at jrudin@aem.org.