“Members tell us that one of the greatest benefits of membership is the opportunity to talk with industry colleagues,” said Association President Ben Hellbush. “Some members come to the Summit for the educational sessions and others for the networking potential. Either way, it’s an opportunity to gain new perspectives and return home energized and ready to solve problems.”

If you are joining us for the 2023 Supply Summit, here are a few last minute tips to help you prepare. If you have not yet registered, there’s still time to register and network with fellow manufacturers, suppliers and marketing members! Go to .

Maximize Your Time: The Summit brings together hundreds of representatives of companies in the specialized farm equipment industry. If there are specific people you want to meet, set up appointments as soon as possible. Don’t wait until you get to the convention to make initial contact. Use our registration list to reach out to potential business partners before the convention. To view the complete list of attendees, check out FarmEquip.org/SummitAttendeeList.

Get Involved: The Association is always looking for members to serve on standing committees such as communications, education, membership, etc. These committees will meet at the Summit on Wednesday, March 22. If you are interested in attending one of these meetings or would like to find out more information, contact Matt Rice, Membership Director, at (314) 878-2304.

Registration/Name Badges: The convention registration desk will be on the 1st floor of Hotel Effie near the hotel lobby. Association staff will be at the desk the entirety of the Summit to answer any questions you may have. A badge is required to attend any convention meetings, sessions or social activities. Some events require a ticket, which you will find inside your badge holder.

Connect with Your Mobile Device: Be sure to add our browser-based app to your smart phone by going to m.FarmEquip.org on your phone’s web browser. Tap the arrow box at the bottom and add it to your home screen. Here you can ask a question, access the convention schedule, session locations, registration list, attendee directory, weather, local restaurants/attractions, transportation, and the latest Shortliner newsletter.
Room Reservations: If you need to adjust your room reservation, please contact Tricia Kidd at (314) 878-2304. After Thursday, March 16, room changes should be handled directly with Hotel Effie in Sandestin at (855) 434-1908.

Spouses/Guests: Meeting attendees are more than welcome to bring a spouse/guest to take part in convention events, general sessions, breakouts, social activities and a special event planned just for them on Wednesday, March 22. There’s plenty of things to do in Sandestin, and the hotel is centrally located and is within walking distance of the Village of Baytowne Wharf which features an array of boutiques, eateries, galleries and nightlife.

Dress Code: Attire for the spring Summit is business casual, especially since we’re at a resort this year. You may see a few folks in jackets and ties, but most will be a little more casual in khakis and pullovers. Please feel free to wear what makes you feel comfortable and confident. And, if you are wondering — shorts are acceptable at the social functions.

10. Education: Attending will help you make good business decisions. Would you like some insight into the current and future economy for business planning? Are you curious about incentives and grants available for manufacturers? Do you need information about multi-jurisdictional taxes or product safety programs? Or, are you an entrepreneur learning how to professionally manage a growing business? Our Supply Summit speakers will inspire, educate, and energize.

9. Perspective: Good things come when you can step away from the daily grind. Matt Westendorf, an Association board member and general manager at Westendorf Manufacturing, says it is tough to make the time, but “as soon as you get to a meeting, you realize that when you take a break from day-to-day work, important things come out. Your mind clears, you hear what others in the industry are doing … it just gives you a broad approach and a bigger picture.”

8. Fun: Destin offers something for everyone. It features pristine white sand beaches, emerald waters, upscale shopping, vibrant nightlife, and is often referred to as the “World’s Luckiest Fishing Village.”

7. Solutions: You’ll find solutions to problems. We hear stories every year of a manufacturer meeting a supplier at the product showcase and stumbling onto a game-changing solution. Former Association president John Tye with Lubbock Fastener Supply describes it like this: “You walk by a table and look at something, and you say, ‘That’s the sort of thing we are looking for, but it needs to be like this. Can you make it like this?’ In most cases, the answer is ‘If you want to buy it, we can make it.’”

6. Golf: Let’s be honest, your golf game needs work. What better place than the Raven Golf Club in the Sunshine State to practice your swing while you discuss the price of steel, supply chain challenges, or finding the best people in a competitive labor market.

5. Networking: Relationships are the key to success, and this meeting is about relationships. “Networking is so important, and we have forged relationships at the Summit that go back decades,” said Ben Hellbusch, Association President with Duo Lift Manufacturing. “You see people that you’ve known for years, and you also meet new people. I always leave with a fresh perspective and new ways to problem solve.”

4. Value: The Summit provides unmatched value. Association member Nick Jensen from Edney Distributing and a former Association president, said that attending gives you a leg up on your competition. “We always learn something new about distribution law at these meetings, which in the long run, has more than paid for the price of the meeting and membership fees.”

3. Productivity: There is no better place to maximize your time. This is your chance to meet with supplier companies that represent parts, materials and service providers worldwide, all in one place. It will save you time— seriously. In three days, you can take a tour of a manufacturing plant, meet suppliers, learn from industry experts, and get ideas from a couple hundred industry colleagues.

2. Growth: It can drive growth. John Brown from Myers Spring, a member of the Supplier Board of Governors, said the company’s business has grown as a result of the Summit. “We’ve met a lot of decision makers here. Myers Spring is a larger part of the ag market because of the Association.”

1. Innovation: This is a moment in the industry and nation when a little creative thinking may lead to a breakthrough. With changes in tax law (we’ll cover that), emerging energy technologies (learn more about that, too), and techniques for turning your company into an innovation machine (on the agenda). And, with the agriculture economy poised for recovery — this is a good time to pursue innovations not only in product development but workplace strategies. You just may find your “aha moment” in Sandestin.

Stop by the Spindustry booth at the Showcase on Wednesday, March 22 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. for a professional head shot from a photographer at no additional charge.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, a manager in a growing firm or an heir to a family business, this workshop will help you on your journey as an Emerging Owner. During this workshop, you will learn the fundamentals of finance and accounting required as a business owner and how to professionally manage a growing business. In addition, we will dive into what it means to be a leader and an owner, all while managing employees who may be family members or are your former peers. Come and learn what it means to transition from employee to owner, and the leadership skills it takes to create a workplace that offers opportunity and long-term profitability.

Justin Mentele, Principal; Alex Breitinger, Principal; Travis Free, Senior Manager; Kala Jenkins, Manager, will provide information and guidance in this beneficial seminar. There’s no cost for this workshop, but we would like to know how many plan to attend. To sign up to participate or if you have questions, contact Sarah@FarmEquip.org.

Check out the list of exhibitors at Farm.Equip.org/BoothMap and make plans to participate on March 22. Call us at (314) 878-2304 with questions or to reserve a booth.

More than 100 members will join the fun during the final evening of the Summit to enjoy the vibrant night life at the Village of Baytowne Wharf. If you are among the few who haven’t yet signed up, there’s still time.

“Suppliers added the crawl to the roster of Summit networking events in 2016, and it quickly became a mainstay,” said Marc Adams, chair of the crawl planning committee. “It’s a rare opportunity to get to know others in this industry in a low-key, social setting and just have a little fun.”

This year’s lineup includes: • Hammerheads Bar & Grill, a fun and vibrant restaurant right on the water; • The Village Door Restaurant, a premier dance destination with a state-of-the-art lighting system; • Fat Tuesdays, a daiquiri bar with a Bourbon Street vibe and • Rum Runners Dueling Piano Bar, always a good time, this spot promises high-energy crowd interaction.

The $25 registration fee includes a commemorative Summit t-shirt. The pubs are within walking distance of one another, and each stop will offer Summit attendees a drink special.

If you have questions or want to add the event to your registration, call the Association at (314) 878-2304. If you haven’t yet registered for the Summit, you can add Baytowne Wharf Night Life when you do.

As always, the Summit promises to deliver insights you need to navigate 2023 and connect you to the people who can help you make it happen. Meet suppliers; talk to peers who have found creative solutions to problems that plague the industry. Hear from experts on supply chain, the economy, leadership, and more. Watch this publication for coverage of events in Sandestin, Florida.

“I encourage our members to attend the upcoming Summit, share your ideas, forge new relationships and walk away with a fresh perspective, said Ben Hellbusch, Association President. “This is your unique opportunity to meet with all of the folks in the supply chain in one room. What normally would take you two to four months to accomplish, you can get in done in a half day.”

The meeting includes a supplier product showcase, golf tournament, fishing excursion, guest program, plant tour, sampling of night life, speaker sessions and unmatched networking opportunities woven throughout it all.

Go to FarmEquip.org to register, check out who is attending and make vital connections that will help create opportunities for manufacturer-supplier partnerships. And now, let’s meet our speakers:

Kyle Scheele: Innovation Machine

Kyle and his ideas have been featured in the Washington Post, Fast Company, GoalCast, UpWorthy, BuzzFeed, Yahoo and more. Videos of his projects have been viewed over 200 million times. He will teach members how to turn themselves (and their organizations) into an innovation machine. He will inspire Association members to harness their own capacity for creativity and innovation, and provide practical tips on how to get more (and better!) ideas out of yourself and your team.

Micki Vandeloo: Grants for Manufacturers

Micki Vandeloo is President of Lakeview Consulting, Inc. The company’s mission is to ensure economic prosperity for America’s workforce by helping manufacturers secure grants that spur economic development. Bryant Hintz: Product Safety Bryant Hintz is a product safety specialist with Sentry Insurance. He will speak to members about how operator’s manuals play a crucial role in helping member’s keep their customers safe—and in helping protect themselves if/when litigation arises. He will provide recent updates to applicable standards and how to create user-friendly, manuals and safety messages.

Bryant Hintz: Product Safety

Bryant Hintz is a product safety specialist with Sentry Insurance. He will speak to members about how operator’s manuals play a crucial role in helping member’s keep their customers safe—and in helping protect themselves if/when litigation arises. He will provide recent updates to applicable standards and how to create user-friendly, manuals and safety messages.

Craig Miller: Energy Innovation

Craig Miller, Principal at the NOVA Advisory Group, will speak to members about current incentives available to companies investing into new energy technologies.

Jeremy Bess: Economics Overview

Jeremy Bess is a vital member of ITR Economics team of expert economists and consultants. In his general session, he will share his expertise, forecasts, and insights with clear action items to directly benefit the current and future business planning.

This week we opened registration for our 2023 Supply Summit & Showcase Conference in sunny Sandestin, FL with a waiting list of members eager to engage and learn from each other.

With beautiful beaches, world-class golf courses, marinas, shopping and the vibrant Village of Baytowne Wharf, we can’t think of a better place or a better time to step back from daily manufacturing operations and take a fresh look at the opportunities that lie ahead.

We know that making the right choices depends greatly on having the best industry and economic information available. Our total focus is providing that critical industry knowledge to help you shape your decision making on the topics you tell us matter most: succession planning, product liability, international trade and more.

Join us at , a luxury resort at Miramar Beach, for a three-day immersion in understanding the issues, connecting with suppliers, and learning from one another. The Summit brings you together in a beautiful setting, and it strikes a balance in providing educational sessions, networking opportunities, social time, and business meetings.

“The message we hear from members is consistent,” said Vernon Schmidt, the Association’s executive vice president. “They want to hear from the experts—the economists, the trade pros, but they want to hear from each other, too. And, there are those “aha moments” that happen in the hallway when something they just heard from a speaker brings up an issue at their plants, and they mention it to another member, and a conversation begins.”

At the centerpiece of each Supply Summit is the Supplier Product Showcase, which is March 23. Early response, combined with limited showcase space, suggests that this year will sell out, so we encourage suppliers to register early. Summit attendees characterize this as an excellent opportunity to connect with current supply partners and explore the possibilities of new partnerships that will ultimately help grow their businesses.

The Association is finalizing speaker details. Sessions on Idea Generation and Innovation, Economic Outlook, and a workshop for Emerging Owners are in the works. Look for more information coming soon. We appreciate your input on future session topics or speakers. Feel free to contact Sarah@FarmEquip.org with your ideas.

Stay tuned for details about a visit to a state-of the-art manufacturing facility, an outing planned for spouses/guests, and networking events: golf tournament, fishing excursion and a sampling of night life. Learn more about the Supply Summit online at Meeting.FarmEquip.org or call us at (314) 878-2304.