Associated Equipment Distributors Hosts Record-Breaking Women in Equipment Conference
Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) recently held its successful 2025 Women in Equipment Conference, September 17 to 19 in Chicago. The organization said the annual event attracted a record-breaking 131 attendees representing dealerships, manufacturers and service providers across all areas and levels of the equipment industry.
According to the press release, the conference featured dynamic programming designed to:
- advance leadership skills
- foster meaningful connections
- address the unique challenges women face in the workplace
- highlight the critical role allies play in supporting lasting change
From the press release:
A highlight of the event was the keynote session, Likeable Badass: The Science of Winning the Status Game – A Fireside Chat with Alison Fragale & Lisa Rottmann. Fragale, a research psychologist, award-winning professor, international speaker and author, shared insights into workplace dynamics, influence and confidence. She was joined by Lisa Rottmann, president of Stowers Machinery Corp., who brought valuable industry perspective and real-world leadership experience. Together, they delivered an engaging and inspiring conversation that challenged attendees to rethink how status, leadership and opportunity are shaped in today’s workplace.
AED noted that attendees enjoyed the conference’s open and collaborative environment.
“This is my fourth time attending, and I look forward to it every year,” said Kerri Courrier, regional aftermarket manager at RDO Equipment. “The speakers are always insightful, and the networking is invaluable — especially with so many new faces this year. I highly recommend this conference as a meaningful way to connect, build relationships, and strengthen the presence of women in equipment.”
AED President & CEO Brian P. McGuire reflected on the impact of the event, stating: “The 2025 Women in Equipment Conference was an incredible success and a testament to the strength, talent and leadership that women bring to our industry.”
Save the Date
Next year’s Women in Equipment Conference will take place September 16 to 18, 2026, at the Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville. For more info, visit www.aednet.org.
Pam Kleineke is managing editor of Compact Equipment.
