Don’t miss your chance to showcase your brand—explore sponsorship opportunities at the Marketing & Distribution Convention in New Orleans.

Why Sponsor?

Your sponsorship delivers meaningful exposure before, during, and after the event through on-site recognition, event signage, digital promotions, printed materials, and more. It’s an opportunity to elevate your brand while supporting the educational sessions, networking events, and business connections that make FEMA meetings valuable for attendees.

Ready to put your company in the room? Contact the FEMA office at (314) 878-2304 or to learn more about available sponsorship opportunities.

The Association leadership and staff truly believe in the power of face-to-face interactions with others in the specialized farm equipment industry. Because of that, we want to make sure all of our members and industry partners feel welcome and prepared for the convention.

We’ve gathered answers to our most frequently asked convention questions below. Keep this article handy as you prepare for New Orleans.

Important Note About Room Reservations

For the past several years, scammers have tried to contact members regarding their hotel reservations.

FEMA DOES NOT work with any resellers and cannot guarantee your room if you book outside the official negotiated room block.

When you register for the convention, please indicate your arrival and departure dates and the type of room you’d prefer. The FEMA office will use those dates to make your room reservation for you at our group room rate. The hotel does their best to accommodate all room type requests, but fills those based on availability.

Convention Experience

What should I expect at the convention?

The primary purpose of the Marketing & Distribution Convention is to bring together manufacturers with marketing executives who can get their equipment on retail dealer lots. FEMA’s convention is held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Equipment Marketing & Distribution Association (EMDA), which makes it the single largest gathering of its kind. The meeting also includes a series of informational sessions on developments in the industry. While both FEMA and EMDA have separate convention programs, we come together for a few joint events.

What are the opportunities for manufacturers to meet marketers (wholesalers/independent reps)?

The meeting offers a combination of social time and more structured get-acquainted time. Social time includes an evening reception with members of EMDA and two breakfast gatherings.

The more structured meeting opportunities begin Wednesday morning with a contact session. This is intended to be a series of quick introductions for manufacturers, wholesalers and independent reps to get a sense of what products they distribute and where. The convention and the hotel are organized to offer meeting spaces for company-to-company conversations as partnerships emerge.

Will suppliers be in attendance?

Yes! Numerous material or parts suppliers and service providers will be in New Orleans and some will have booths in the Industry Showcase. Members tell us that attending the FEMA convention is a huge savings of time and money since they can visit with many of their business partners in one place.

How will my business benefit from attending the convention?

The Marketing & Distribution Convention gathers together hundreds of executives/representatives of companies in the specialized farm equipment industry. Aside from potential sales or additional distribution channels, you will make vital contacts within this group. Members have shared with us that a call or email to someone they talked with at a convention helped solve a production issue or other problem. In addition, many of our long-time attendees count each other as friends, not just business colleagues.

What can I do to maximize my time during the convention?

Look at the registration list. If there are specific people you’d like to meet with, your best bet is to set up a meeting time as soon as possible. Don’t wait until you get to the convention to make your first contact. Use our registration list to reach out to potential business partners before their convention calendars fill up.

You will need a Member ID and Password to access the full registration list. Contact our office to get your log in credentials.

Registration

What does the registration price cover?

Registration gives you access to all the Association-hosted information sessions, the breakfasts, the welcome reception, a joint industry reception with EMDA, the contact session, and Showcase (exhibiting in the Industry Showcase is available at an additional cost).

Your room rate is separate but is discounted with your registration.

If you have a spouse or guest participating in the Association-organized tour, or would like to attend the Farewell Outing, those costs are additional. Please make sure to register your guest and select any optional events when you register.

Does registration include a booth in the Industry Showcase?

Booths for the Joint Industry Showcase are available at an additional cost. Your booth includes a 10×10 table top exhibit space, 6′ table with two chairs, an ID sign, and wastebasket.

You’re encouraged to make your booth stand out!

This year, exhibitors will hand out Mardi Gras beads to attendees who visit their booths. Once attendees collect five beads from participating exhibitors, they can redeem them for a raffle ticket and enter to win exciting prizes!

Want to stand out even more? We’re offering a sponsorship opportunity to have your company logo featured on your custom Mardi Gras beads distributed during the event—a fun and memorable way to keep your brand in attendees’ hands all night long.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.

Is the registration rate going to increase?

Yes.

• Before August 1: $698 for Member Executives
• After August 1: $799
• After September 1: $899

Hotel Information

How do I pay for/reserve my room?

When you register for the convention, we reserve your room at the . The hotel will charge you when you arrive. You will receive confirmation on your room reservation in a separate communication from the hotel.

I didn’t get my confirmation number. Can you help?

It may take as long as two weeks for the hotel to send a confirmation. You should receive it by email. Contact Tricia at the office at (314) 878-2304 if you need help with your confirmation.

Can I change/cancel my registration or hotel dates?

Yes. Call us. We can accommodate changes to your registration until the convention begins. We will manage changes in hotel reservations until October 20. After that date, we will ask you to deal directly with the hotel on the room.

What if I stay at a different hotel?

Attendees who do not stay at the convention hotel pay $150 more for registration. The Association keeps registration costs low by negotiating contracts that save money on meeting space related to room occupancies.

Attendees who stay elsewhere are asked to pay more as their contribution to covering meeting costs.

If the convention room block sells out, or if you live within driving distance and do not book a room, you are not assessed the higher registration fee.

Can I reserve a suite?

We have a limited number of suites. Give us a call at (314) 878-2304 to see what is available.

Additional Questions

What should I wear?

The attire is business casual. You may see some folks in jackets and ties. You’re just as likely to see someone in a company branded polo and jeans or khakis.

How can I find out who else will be there?

Take a look at the registration page on FarmEquip.org/registrations. The registration list, which is updated continually, includes names of who’s coming and what company they represent.

Who displays in the Joint Industry Showcase?

Suppliers, independent reps and wholesalers set up tables. Registered executives are welcome to enter and explore.

Can I bring a spouse/guest to the convention?

Please do! Spouses and guests who register are invited to attend every part of the convention, and the Association hosts a special outing just for them. See details here.

Rather than registering for the convention, can I attend a single session?

The convention is structured so all the pieces fit together as a whole. For that reason, registration is for the entire event. We do not offer a single-session rate.

Where do I go to get my name badge and other meeting information?

The ¹û¶³´«Ã½ convention registration desk will be on the second floor of the New Orleans Marriott Hotel.

Association staff will be at the desk to give you your name badge and answer any questions you might have throughout the convention.

A convention booklet will be available for pick up, or you can get all the information on the Association App.

Industry Showcase

The Industry Showcase is your chance to network effortlessly and spotlight your latest innovations, all in a vibrant, high-energy setting.

Tabletop displays showcase your company in a simple, effective, and affordable way. The networking-focused environment is designed to encourage interaction in an easy-to-navigate show floor. Food and beverage offerings encourage members to come in and stay a while.

We can’t wait to see your creativity on display!

You can find more information and select a booth here.

Still Have Questions?

FEMA’s staff is happy to help.

(314) 878-2304
Sarah@FarmEquip.org

The future will be in the room in New Orleans. Will you be?

The future of the farm equipment industry is shaped by the relationships you build, the ideas you discover, and the conversations you have today. That’s why the Marketing & Distribution Convention brings together manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, marketers, and industry partners for three days of education, networking, and business development designed exclusively for the shortline equipment industry.

This year’s program features keynote speaker Alex Weber, who will share strategies for embracing change and building resilience, along with FEMA’s Economic Outlook General Session presented by Stantec economists Patrick Luce and Jeremy Bess. Attendees will gain valuable insight into the economic trends and market forces shaping the future of agriculture.

New for 2026 is the inaugural FEMA AgTech Arena, a live startup pitch competition showcasing emerging technologies in precision agriculture, automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, sensors, and next-generation farm equipment. Attendees will hear directly from innovators, watch companies compete before a panel of industry judges, and vote for the Fan Favorite Award.

The convention also features the EMDA/FEMA Showcase, creating valuable opportunities for manufacturers to connect with wholesalers and independent sales representatives, while giving distribution professionals the chance to discover new product lines, build partnerships, and explore innovative solutions from across the industry.

Beyond the educational sessions, some of the convention’s greatest value comes from the conversations between meetings. Whether you’re looking to expand your dealer network, introduce new products, strengthen partnerships, or gain fresh ideas, the Marketing & Distribution Convention is where meaningful connections turn into lasting business opportunities.

Registration, hotel reservations, and the convention agenda are available now at FarmEquip.org. Join us in New Orleans and discover why the future is in the room. Will you be?

Register today at: FarmEquip.org

Presented by FEMA’s Technology Council, the new AgTech Arena Pitch Contest will debut on Wednesday, October 28, during the Marketing & Distribution Convention in New Orleans. This exciting competition will give convention attendees the opportunity to hear directly from the innovators developing tomorrow’s agricultural technologies.

Startups specializing in AgTech, precision agriculture, and farm equipment innovation will showcase their latest ideas and technologies in front of industry leaders and decision-makers. Attendees will discover groundbreaking solutions in precision agriculture, automation, robotics, sensors, artificial intelligence for machinery, and other emerging technologies shaping the future of the industry.

A panel of expert judges will evaluate each presentation and select the Grand Prize Winner, while convention attendees will have the opportunity to cast their votes for the Fan Favorite Award.

Interested in showcasing your innovation? The Call for Abstracts will be announced soon. Startups and emerging technology companies will be invited to submit their ideas for a chance to pitch on the AgTech Arena stage.

Stay tuned to the Shortliner for submission guidelines, important dates, and additional details on how to participate.

This exciting new event is just one more reason you won’t want to miss the 2026 FEMA Marketing & Distribution Convention. Come discover what’s next in farm equipment technology—and meet the innovators bringing it to life.