By Kristy Seachrist

The 52nd annual National Farm Machinery Show kicked off with a joint announcement between the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and the Kentucky Fair Board for the 2018 show.

Kentucky State Fair Board CEO Jason Rittenberry and Dennis Slater, president, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, said a signed agreement means AEM will assist with management and co-promotion of the show and have an equity position in the future growth of the show starting in 2018.

Rittenberry said the partnership will mean new opportunities for current and future exhibitors as well as attendees.

Slater said the partnership will benefit all the stakeholders in the NFMS and the agriculture industry. He added the partnership will allow more facets of the agriculture industry to more easily work together to advance and strengthen the agriculture sector for the benefit of all.

Rittenberry said the two organizations have yet to finalize the negotiations but this is the first step in the process. He added the final details are yet to be decided but the agreement is a big step. He added not everything could be ironed out in the less than 90 days he has been on the job.

“We (AEM and Kentucky State Fair Board) both know where we want the show to go,” said Rittenberry.

The partnership means AEM will be an equity partner and AEM will assist in the management of it along with co-promoting it for 2018.  Rittenberry pointed out that AEM will brand the show but is not taking control. They will assist with the layout of the show, marketing and public relations.

In a press statement concerning the announcement, Slater said: “This is a first step in a partnership that will benefit all the stakeholders in the National Farm Machinery Show and the Ag industry. AEM’s commitment to its core services like public policy and our success in leading tradeshows, naturally lends itself to our new partnership with the Kentucky Fair Board and the National Farm Machinery Show.”

- Seachrist writes for sister publication Corn + Soybean Digest