AEM’s CE Sector Board of Directors met in-person on Feb. 22 in Washington, D.C., to discuss its priorities and industry outlook for 2023. The agenda also featured updates from AEM staff regarding the association’s service areas, including advocacy, regulatory and trade shows.
CE Sector Board Chair Stephen Roy, senior vice president of Sales Americas, Volvo Construction Equipment, called the meeting to order and welcomed directors to the first meeting of 2023.
2023 Priorities
AEM Vice President of Construction and Utility Sectors John Somers provided a brief overview of the CE Sector Board priorities, which were addressed and discussed in detail throughout the meeting.
The CE Sector Board continues to focus on:
- Sustainability initiatives
- Workforce solutions
- Customer expectations
- Regulatory awareness and engagement
Trade Shows
AEM Senior Vice President of Exhibitions and Marketing Nicole Hallada provided an update on exhibitions, including CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2023. With over 2,000 exhibitors and over 2.8 million net square feet, the show is on pace to be the largest show to date. Attendee registration continues to pace exceptionally well compared to previous shows, including international attendees, new attendees, and education session passes.
Hallada also shared that The Utility Expo space sales continue to outpace previous shows. If your company is interested in exhibiting, contact your Account Success Advisor.
Parts E-Marketplace
AEM Senior Vice President of Membership, Business Development & Data Sara Truesdale-Mooney provided an update on the parts e-marketplace, for the sale and purchase of construction and utility equipment parts. AEM members interested in learning more should contact Al Cervero at 414-803-5836 .
Advocacy
AEM Vice President of Federal Affairs Kate Fox Wood provided an update on the reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which includes an increase in funding and project eligibility for the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) and the reauthorization of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Fox Wood also discussed AEM’s engagement with the Eno Center for Transportation, which has begun a research initiative to define parameters to establish a national Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) fee.
Fox Wood also provided an update on the status of right-to-repair legislation. AEM continues to engage in the ever-changing landscape at both the federal and state levels.
Regulatory
AEM Senior Director of Regulatory Affairs and Ag Policy Nick Tindall provided an in-depth overview of the priorities of the Regulatory Affairs Working Group, which determines objectives and guides regulatory affairs activities on priority issues identified by the Government & Public Affairs Committee. Priorities for 2023 include global chemical management, off-road autonomy, machine cybersecurity, and engine emissions.
Addressing engine emissions regulations, Somers provided an overview of the position paper which provides a shared vision for the future and recommendations from the industry, including a wholistic view of emission reductions aimed to educate regulators along with other industry stakeholders. The Clean Air and Low Emissions through Next-Gen Nonroad Equipment paper will be released March 2.
Celebration of Construction on the National Mall
Tindall provided an update on planning for the inaugural Celebration of Construction on the National Mall, a multi-day event which will showcase the equipment, technology, and materials that are transforming road and bridge construction and building a sustainable future. The event, scheduled for May 14-16, 2023, will educate and inform federal agency officials, members of congress, and the general public.
The next meeting of the CE Sector Board is scheduled for July 26 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. For more information about the CE Sector Board, contact AEM's John Somers at jsomers@aem.org.
For more AEM news and updates, subscribe to the AEM Industry Advisor.
