Mark your calendars: October 27-29, 2020 at the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista hotel in Orlando, Florida

After conversations between the Boards of EMDA and the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association (FEMA) – the Fall Conventions will go on if we feel it can be done safely and in a way that does not negatively impact the valuable networking experience noted as one of the biggest benefits of EMDA membership.

It is EMDA’s responsibility to deliver the best experience we can in a safe environment. There is no doubt that this year, the Fall Convention will be different.

That’s okay, so long as we feel that we can still create a dynamic experience worthy of your time and money. That’s our bar, and, after discussions with the leaderships of EMDA and FEMA, we’ve identified mid- to late- August as the first target time period for us to make a decision on how to proceed. Once that decision is made – which will largely be dependent on what the Hilton Orlando Lake Buena Vista hotel and public health officials tell us, as well as how other events and attractions in the Orlando-area are handling crowds – we will communicate our plan, as well all of your options.

Spouse Program . . . Ladies Program . . . still trying to come up with an appropriate name!  So, for now – EMDA Social Program it is! 

Beginning with the Joint Opening Session on Wednesday morning and ending with the Joint Industry Reception on Thursday evening, EMDA Business Program registrants will fill their convention times with member-to-member contact; manufacturer and supplier interviews and informative and entertaining convention programs. The EMDA Social Program is geared toward attendees that accompany the Business Program registrants. The program includes all the social events that are part of the Business Program, plus offers optional touring events.

Download a PDF of the Social Program Events

Tuesday, October 27, 2020 – Arrival day for most attendees.

Wednesday, October 28, 2020 – The EMDA and FEMA Joint Opening Session is designed to bring the members together to “kick-off” their conventions with a dynamic presentation that will set the tone for an intensive week of appointments and meetings.

The Joint Opening Session will tentatively feature David Houle presenting “The 2020s: The single most disruptive decade in human history.” A futurist who tackles mega concepts that provoke thought and invite questions about how we will live and work in decades to come.

David Houle is a futurist, thinker and speaker. Houle spent more than 20 years in media and entertainment. He has worked at NBC, CBS and was part of the senior executive team that created and launched MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1 and CNN Headline News.

Houle is Futurist in Residence and Guest Lecturer at the Ringling College of Art + Design. He is Honorary President and Futurist of the Future Business School of China. He is a Co-Founder and Managing Director of The Sarasota Institute – A 21st Century Think Tank.

This session will be a high-level overview of the major dynamics of the decade, the trends that will affect us all, the necessary ways to lead, and a look at the future of work, technology, energy and transportation, finance, Democracy, Capitalism generations and intelligence. Any organization that wants to avoid disruption or actual collapse will benefit from this presentation.”

EMDA and FEMA staffs will begin planning Orlando area tours through Disney, but since they are currently closed, they’re not planning future events. The plan is to offer a tour, if possible, and if we have enough participants. With Disney properties and parks slowing opening up, it is hoped we have some options soon.

Wednesday concludes with a fun tradition, the EMDA Partners Party bringing reps and distributors together with the manufacturers that they do business with. The party is a “Thank You” to the manufacturers who understand the value that the EMDA network of distributors and reps provides in bringing their products to the marketplace.

Thursday, October 29, 2020 – You’re invited to enjoy a leisurely morning at the Joint Breakfast Buffet.

EMDA’s annual Industry Showcase is a highlight of the Fall Convention, bringing suppliers, distributors, reps and vendors together in more than 100 booths which feature products and services of interest to all. EMDA’s Industry Showcase is the gathering place for the industry at convention time and is primarily a “table-top” show to inform potential customers about products and services.

Thursday concludes with the Joint Industry Reception – a great opportunity to meet your friends for hors d’oeuvres and cocktails at this party sponsored by EMDA and the Farm Equipment Manufacturers Association. This reception is the perfect time to get in some last minute face-to-face time with EMDA and FEMA members.

Friday, October 30, 2020 – Main departure day to head home from Orlando. Or take advantage of group rate at hotel and extend your stay for the weekend.