AZBEES_TOPTEN
AZBEES_finalist-2020

This Just In

Tanel to Assume the Helm at the Association of Equipment Manufacturers

Frances Ferrante, Senior Editor
Outgoing AEM President Dennis J. Slater and Megan Tanel, who will succeed him at the organization

MILWAUKEE, Wis. — After nearly 40 years of leadership, Dennis J. Slater has announced his retirement from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) at the end of the year. The AEM Board of Directors has selected AEM’s Senior Vice President, Construction & Utility Sector Megan Tanel, the force behind the association’s many exhibitions, to succeed Slater as President.

Slater joined AEM’s predecessor, the Construction Industry Manufacturers Association (CIMA), in 1982, becoming President of CIMA in 1998 and President of the newly formed AEM in 2002. Under his watch, the association has grown its membership by 50% to more than 1,000 member companies, and increased its revenue by 700% to $60 million annually.

Related. ECA Taps Three Well-Known Industry Veterans for Board

Tanel began her career at AEM in 1995 as an intern, becoming a full-time employee later that year. She has led AEM’s various global exhibitions and events, ranging from the Commodity Classic for agribusiness decision-makers, to bauma CONEXPO, an international trade fair for construction machinery in India. She helped launch World of Asphalt in 2001, and served as Show Director for The Utility Expo (formerly ICUEE) and CONEXPO-CON/AGG, North America’s largest construction trade show. Under her leadership, AEM has grown its trade show revenue by 80% in the past 12 years. Earlier this year, she was named Vice-Chair of the new advocacy group Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA).

Related. Trade Show Executive’s 9 Key Takeaways From CEIR Predict

“I am honored to have the confidence of the AEM Board and I’m thankful for Dennis and what he has done for our association and the industry,” Tanel said. “Our association is healthy financially, our industry is relevant and critical to our global economy, and we have the strong support of our members. Now is the time to continue to build on our momentum, and with our strong team in place, I know we will do just that.”

Reach Megan Tanel at (414) 298-4117 or mtanel@aem.org

TSE Data Center