FIMDA tours USA: Missouri

12 October 2022

Pictured with VACC Industry Policy Advisor Michael McKenna (centre) is NAEDA President and CEO Kim Rominger, NAEDA COO John Schmeiser, Eric Wareham, Michael Piercy, Curt Kleoppel and Brent Harness

During the first leg of the VACC Farm and Industrial Machinery and Dealers Association (FIMDA)'s mid-west USA tour, the Missouri-based North American Equipment Dealers Association (NAEDA) hosted VACC Industry Policy Advisor Michael McKenna.

Attending an Executive Leadership Team briefing, Mr McKenna learnt how the association serves its members – and gained insight into how open and transparent lines of dialogue with farm machinery manufacturers can have a powerful and positive impact. Investment by NAEDA and its members to establish and support the Dealer Training Institute in Nashville has seen more than 7,500 members (and manufacturers) participate annually in operational and personal development courses tailored to farm dealers. 

FIMDA hopes to emulate some NAEDA member-facing benefits and take steps to work more closely with manufacturers. In this regard, there is a lot to gain for the manufacturer, dealer and consumer.

Guided by NAEDA Dealer Development Manger Brent Harness, the next stage of the FIMDA tour will see VACC representatives visit farm machinery dealers in Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and Illinois.

The Chamber thanks NAEDA President and CEO Kim Rominger, NAEDA Chief Operating Officer John Schmeiser, Eric Wareham, Michael Piercy, Curt Kleoppel and Brent Harness, as well as Jane Male and Jami Applegate for their insights and hospitality.