Fresh perspectives. Innovative approaches. Practical solutions that empower industry professionals at every level. Everything AEM members looking to elevate their approach to product safety, compliance, and innovation can find it all in one place: AEM’s Product Safety & Stewardship Conference and Liability Seminar.
Set for April 27-30, 2026, in Kansas City, this year’s event will unlock “The Winning Playbook”—a dynamic, strategy-packed experience that brings together the brightest minds in the non-road equipment manufacturing industry.
With this year’s event just a little more than a month away, AEM caught up with longtime conference attendee and member of conference’s planning committee Aaron Murray of Ken Cook Co. Murray discussed his experience attending the AEM Product Safety & Stewardship Conference for the first time, what he looks forward to most about this year’s event, the attendee experience, and more.
AEM: Can you tell us a little bit about your first experience attending the AEM Product Safety & Stewardship Conference and Liability Seminar, and what you took away from being able to participate in what is truly a one-of-a-kind event?
Murray: The first year I attended was 2016. Ken Cook, the former owner of Ken Cook Co., insisted I go. He made sure me attending was a priority. We’re a technical communications company, and he felt I needed to understand what the non-road equipment manufacturing needs and what it will take to move the industry forward. Ultimately, I feel that’s the best way to describe what’s covered at the AEM Product Safety & Stewardship Conference and Liability Seminar.
How do we make sure product safety is done correctly? How do we make sure technical communications are done correctly? These are the types of questions asked and answered at this event. For me, it’s also the conference where I gain the most knowledge.
The first time I went, there was an overwhelming amount of knowledge and information to take in and process. But the stories I heard made me realize how amazing this industry is, and it inspired me to do what I could to help move it forward.
AEM: So many AEM member companies and their people attend this event. Why do you think it’s important they invest the time, effort, and resources needed to make their way to the Product Safety & Stewardship Conference and Liability Seminar each year?
Murray: I I have two additional employees coming to the event this year for instructional purposes. One is a writer who has been with our organization for a little over a year, and this is her first time attending. Ultimately, I want her to learn more about standards and what’s going on in the industry today, because I feel like it can better position us to help and assist our customer base.
Speaking for myself, the overall learning experiences I’ve had at AEM’s Product Safety & Stewardship Conference and Liability Seminar have been incredibly beneficial. And the reason I keep coming back every year is thanks to all I took away from attending for the first time way back in 2016.
AEM: What are you most looking forward to at this year’s event in Kansas City?
Murray: I’m speaking again at the event this year. Normally, I talk about topics that are forward-thinking or futuristic. Some of the things I’m covering this year are related to artificial intelligence (AI) and newer intelligence, as well as what’s going on in the technical communications industry. But for me, the most interesting topics that will be covered are related to what is happening in the industry today and how we all can work together to solve common issues and challenges.
AEM: There are so many people who might not know what this event is all about, or they aren’t super familiar with it. If you could provide a high-level value proposition of the AEM Product Safety & Stewardship Conference and Liability Seminar, what would it be?
Murray: It’s about making sure people who operate the equipment our industry manufactures go home safe at the end of the day. That requires everyone on the heavy equipment or manufacturing side of the business sharing critical information with one another. The passion that these people have for the industry and the work that goes into making it successful, and the passion that AEM has behind it, is why the AEM Product Safety & Stewardship Conference is successful every year.
AEM: For the first timers attending AEM’s Product Safety & Stewardship Conference this year, could you give them some advice for approaching the conference and how to get the most out of it?
Murray: Something I tell everyone who attends the conference is to talk to anyone and everyone. People are there to network and talk to you. So, if it’s your first time and you’re worried you don’t know everybody, just go find and talk to someone.
I have been greeted with open arms by everyone I’ve met at this conference over the years. So, I can’t stress enough the importance of getting to know people. The things you’ll learn, the doors that will open, the processes you’ll learn about, I just can’t say enough about it.
