AEM’s CE Sector Board of Directors met in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, last week to discuss a number of key sector initiatives. The agenda also featured updates from AEM staff regarding the association’s key service areas, including advocacy, regulatory, and trade shows.
CE Sector Board Chair Erica Baird, vice president, global sales and service, Cummins Inc, called the meeting to order and welcomed Directors to the summer meeting. She highlighted the progress of several leadership groups, the Futures Council, and the launch of a new regulatory dashboard.
Construction Technology In Focus
Dormie Weber, AEM construction services manager, provided directors with an update on the work of the CE Technology Leadership Group as it explores opportunities to support the adoption of emerging technologies across the construction industry. The discussion focused on three key areas: identifying ways to reduce barriers to technology adoption, developing greater consistency in industry terminology and guidance, and helping stakeholders better understand the value these technologies can deliver on the jobsite. Directors discussed the importance of collaboration across the industry to improve interoperability, align standards and definitions, and communicate practical benefits to contractors and project owners. The group will continue to assess industry needs and advance conversations that support technology innovation and adoption.
CGA Partnership: New Industry Best Practice for Safety
Kevin Thomas, executive vice president, Alamo Group, Inc, introduced a proposal for a new best practice that recognizes equipment is one of the last opportunities to reinforce safe digging behavior before work begins. The effort, announced this week and in conjunction with Common Ground Alliance (CGA), will encourage manufacturers to include a visible "811 Before You Dig" awareness decal to remind operators to be aware of potential underground utilities.
Directors approved this voluntary best practice, reinforcing the industry’s support for increased awareness of underground damage prevention.
Trade Shows
CONEXPO-CON/AGG Show Director Dana Wuesthoff shared additional survey results from the 2026 edition of North America’s largest construction trade show. Meanwhile, planning for the 2029 and 2032 shows is well underway.
Nicole Hallada, AEM’s senior vice president, exhibitions and marketing, provided an update on progress with the exhibitions portfolio strategy project, which is intended to ensure that AEM’s events continue to exceed the industry’s expectations into the future.
Market Share Statistics Modernization
Directors received an update from AEM Senior Director of Market Share Statistics Jacquelyn La Favor and Lindsey Nelson regarding AEM's Market Share Statistics Modernization Project. Board members discussed opportunities to strengthen the program over time while preserving the elements that provide the greatest value to participants and encouraged continued engagement from member companies throughout the review process.
Advocacy
AEM Vice President of Federal Affairs Kate Fox Wood and Director of State Affairs Nicholas Rudowich led a discussion state and federal policy proposals addressing machine-generated data. Directors discussed the importance of establishing a unified cross-sector perspective on machine data issues affecting equipment manufacturers and approved continued work to develop an industry position paper on the topic.
Directors then received an update from AEM Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations Kip Eideberg regarding AEMPAC fundraising efforts, current initiatives, and tools designed to improve member engagement and participation.
The next meetings of the AEM Board of Directors, CE Sector Board, and Ag Sector Board are scheduled for Nov. 11-12, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona, during AEM's Annual Conference. For more information about the Ag Sector Board. For more information on AEM CE Sector activities and initiatives, contact AEM’s John Somers at jsomers@aem.org.
