Do you need help navigating sales tax requirements in multiple states or want to hear about a member’s success in lobbying for a sales tax exemption? Come to Albuquerque.

Would you like to chat with an attorney who specializes in mitigating product liability risk? Or catch on up the latest with safety standards? We have you covered in Albuquerque.

And, if you are curious about what’s ahead for the equipment market as it relates to hemp cultivation, guess where you can go to learn a little more.

The Supply Summit March 25 to 27 offers a mix of industry analysis with a series of roll-up-your-sleeves and dive-in discussions on business issues that members tell us matter to them.

In addition to three general sessions, the Association will host six discussions in three time slots. Three of the discussions (product liability, hemp, and sales tax) will repeat, so you will have two chances to attend.

The safety standards discussion will happen only once. The trade sessions will transition from more elementary information in a first discussion to more advanced material for a second session.

It might feel like a who’s-on-first arrangement now, but if you identify your priority topics, we can help you get there. In the meantime, check out our breakout sessions speakers.

Product Liability: Managing Risk

DJ Warden, an attorney with Association partner Nilan Johnson Lewis, will discuss risk management, specifically field management strategies and design, manufacturing, and compliance practices. Warden specializes in defending product liability cases and commercial litigation.

Tools for Trade—101 and Advanced

Heather Ranck is director of the U.S. Commercial Service and U.S. Department of Commerce in North Dakota. Ranck’s trade specialty is farm equipment. She will host two breakout discussions. The first will focus on export assistance resources available to shortline manufacturers. The second will dive into export market research and website globalization. Ranck also will speak at the International Trade Committee meeting.

Navigating Multi-State Sales Tax/ Lobbing for Exemptions

Justin Mentele, CPA, a principal at KCoe Isom, will discuss what manufacturers need to know about doing business in multiple states, including income taxes, sales taxes, and the Wayfair decision.

Attorney Rachel Geilenfeld is external relations manager and lobbyist for Sukup Manufacturing Co. She will discuss tactics and strategies that led to the successful creation of sales tax exemptions for farm equipment in Iowa.

Understanding Hemp Regulations

Attorney Megan Kuehl is with the Corporate Legal Department at Sentry Insurance. She will discuss the changing legal environment affecting the hemp industry.

Safety Standards

John Fisher, an Association consultant and safety and standards expert, and Scott Cedarquist, standards and technical director for ASABE, will discuss a series of safety standards, including lighting and marking, braking, and hitch pins.

Learn more about general sessions at . Speakers include a former White House insider who will discuss ag policy in 2020, an operational excellence consultant, and executives from long-time member companies to discuss succession.

Fisher, vice president of technical affairs for Alamo Group, retires Friday, but this does not mean the end of his 42-year career advocating for product safety and accident prevention. He will continue to advocate as an independent consultant and commit a portion of his time to this Association.

“John has long been a tremendous asset to our Association,” said Executive Vice President Vernon Schmidt. “I know of no one else who brings his expertise and his passion for crafting standards that keep farmers and ranchers safe and minimize the risk of liability when accidents happen. He will be an outstanding resource and advocate for our members.”

At Alamo Group, Fisher has directed senior management regarding the organization’s safety culture, proactive safety training, status of product liability, employee safety injury investigations, and compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

His contributions, however, have extended far beyond the company. He has contributed to the revision of nine ASABE standards related to ergonomics, safety, and health in the machinery systems technical communities. The society recently celebrated Fisher’s contributions with a Standards Council Leadership Citation.

Expect to see Fisher at the Association’s annual meetings, and know that in the interim, he’ll be attending other gatherings to stay on top of industry standard developments and influence their outcomes. He will stay in touch with members through regular contributions in Association publications and conventions.