The Farm Equipment Manufacturers Assn. (FEMA) & Equipment Marketing and Distribution Assn. (EMDA) Joint Convention is being held in San Diego, Calif., from Oct. 30-Nov. 3. As part of the program, FEMA is holding a special session for its attending members on “Dealer and Distribution Relations” on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

Members at the convention will hear candid perspectives from farm equipment dealers during the dealer panel. Dave Kanicki, executive editor of Farm Equipment and editor/publisher of Ag Equipment Intelligence, will lead a conversation on dealer issues important to shortline manufacturers.

Panelists are:

• Ron Siemens, owner and CEO at Boone Valley Implement in Renwick, Iowa. Siemens is a second-generation owner of this shortline equipment dealership.
• Steve Swartzrock, sales manager at Swartzrock Implement Co. in Charles City, Iowa. Swartzock is a mainline dealership with shortline products on the lot.
• Glay Staheli, sales manager and region manager at Stotz Equipment, which is primarily a John Deere dealership in Higley, Ariz.  

The dealer panel is 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. on Nov. 1. Kanicki will ask dealers about their product selection plans and how to improve communication between manufacturers and dealers.