The North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) has endorsed AG CONNECT Expo for the second consecutive year. The 2011 AG CONNECT Expo, a world-class trade show, is slated for January 8-10, 2011 (Preview Day January 7 by special admission) at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

AG CONNECT Expo is the international agricultural event owned and produced by the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). NAEDA is a key sponsor and the official provider of dealer-targeted education at AG CONNECT Expo at the show's Preview Day on January 7. Preview Day allows dealers and their customers unique access to interact on the trade show floor with product experts and senior executives from companies exhibiting at AG CONNECT. Attendees on all show days will experience the latest innovations, products, services and technology and access to industry experts as well as quality learning and networking opportunities.

The two free dealer-focused education sessions sponsored by NAEDA will be held in the Innovations Theater on the show floor. Successful Farming Magazine is the sponsor of the Innovations Theater.

The "Future Environment Regulations with Tier 4 Requirements" session will be a discussion of compliance costs for new equipment, performance differences of equipment in-service and market value of used equipment. Availability, costs and training of service technicians will also be presented.

The session entitled "Equipment Distribution Realities for the 21st Century" will discuss the evolution of farm and ranch equipment distribution channels in North America and the implications for farmers, ranchers, manufacturers, distributors and dealers. Discussions will focus on what it would mean if there were fewer brands, fewer dealers, fewer manufacturers and increased competition in sales, parts and servicing as business strategies change to compete in the 21st century.

Paul Kindinger, NAEDA president and CEO, stated, "As a key sponsor of AG CONNECT, NAEDA also participates on the show's management committee and provides important strategic direction for the show that ensures value for our agricultural and large property/rural lifestyle equipment dealer members. Yet another benefit to NAEDA members is complimentary admission to AG CONNECT's Preview Day for our members' customers. Our mission is to build the best business environment for North American equipment dealers, and our participation in AG CONNECT Expo 2011 will certainly contribute to that."

Martin Richenhagen, chairman, president and CEO, AGCO Corp., Duluth, Georgia, and the 2011 AG CONNECT Expo chairman, added, "With NAEDA's support and expertise, AG CONNECT Expo has even more value to offer agriculture dealers coming to Atlanta in January of 2011."??NAEDA was founded in 1900 as the National Federation of Retail Implement & Vehicle Dealers' Association, and it has since grown to be a leading advocate representing the interests of agricultural, large property/rural lifestyle, industrial/construction, and outdoor power equipment dealers in the U.S. and Canada.

AEM has also been in existence for more than 100 years, and its beginnings as well are tied to agriculture, founded by farmers who needed better roads to bring their goods to market. AEM and NAEDA have partnered on many industry projects to promote the mutual interests of manufacturers and dealers in better serving end-users.??Charlie O'Brien, vice president, agricultural services at AEM, lauded NAEDA's involvement, saying, "We are very pleased to have NAEDA support AG CONNECT Expo. Ag equipment dealers are a vital component of the distribution channel, helping producers by providing expert product support and information and helping them make informed equipment purchasing decisions. NAEDA and affiliates add an important dimension to AG CONNECT Expo 2011."

About the North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) NAEDA is the organization providing educational, legal, legislative and financial services to approximately 5,000 retail agricultural, large property/rural lifestyle, industrial/construction, and outdoor power equipment dealers in the United States and Canada. The organization is headquartered in Fenton, Missouri, and is affiliated with 18 state, regional and provincial dealer associations.

About the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) AEM is the North American-based international trade group representing the off-road equipment manufacturing industry. AEM is headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with offices in the capitals of Washington, D.C., Ottawa, Beijing and a European presence in Brussels. It represents more than 800 companies in the agriculture, construction, forestry, mining and utility sectors. ###

Media Contact: Rich Jefferson (rjefferson@aem.org, tel 414-274-0655 direct or 414-272-0943)