EDA recaps its 2018 highlights

The Equipment Dealers Association (EDA) was busy in 2018 and is proud of what it accomplished for its members.  Here are the highlights:

Manufacturer relations

In 2018 EDA had the opportunity to review dealer agreements from:

• AGCO
• Cub Cadet
• Kinze

In each case EDA was able to negotiate with manufactures for more favorable terms for dealers. Following each review, EDA sent a memo to members and held a webinar outlining key changes in the agreements.

EDA also met with the following manufacturers to discuss dealer relations:

• John Deere
• Cub Cadet
• AGCO
• Kubota
• Case IH

Government relations

EDA spent ample time in Washington, D.C. in 2018 lobbying on behalf of dealers for:

• Tax Reform
• Right to Repair
• Tillis-Harris Amendment

Between speaking to Congress people and a grassroots campaign with AEM, EDA was able to squash Right to Repair bills in 19 states.

EDA staff and dealers also spent several days in D.C. for its annual Legislative Fly-In where dealers have the opportunity to meet with their members of Congress to discuss issues that matter to their businesses and the industry.  The 2019 Fly-In is scheduled for March 5-7.

Equipment Dealer Foundation

In 2018 the Equipment Dealers Foundation:

• Provided 10 students with $2,000 scholarships
• Committed $20,000 to educate teachers through CASE Scholarships

Helpful business resources

• In 2018 EDA published its annual Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Survey, which identifies the ag and OPE equipment manufacturers based on dealer votes. EDA also published its Compensation & Benefits Report (EDA does this one every other year). The Dealer-Manufacturer Relations Report is available free for members. The Compensation & Benefits Report is free for those who participated in the survey and available at a discounted rate for EDA members.
• EDA hosted 18 free webinars on topics ranging from digital marketing to using demos as a sales tool.
• EDA partnered with Bob Clements International to bring dealers 1-day boot camps in eight different cities throughout the U.S.
• EDA updated its State & Provincial Statute Database and introduced its Regulatory Resource Center, which includes a tax database, transportation regulations, employment laws and UCC filing information.
• EDA Partnered with JobDepotUSA to create a Student Resource Database that lists schools/programs, scholarships and job opportunities for students looking to begin or further their career in the ag and OPE equipment industries

Attended the annual meetings of:

• Midwest-Southeastern Equipment Dealers Association, Deep South Equipment
• Dealers Association and Southern Equipment Dealers Association
• North Dakota Implement Dealers Association
• Minnesota-South Dakota Equipment Dealers Association
• Far West Equipment Dealers Association
• United Equipment Dealers Association

Attended Board of Directors meetings of:

• Mid-West Southeastern Equipment Dealers Association
• Deep South Equipment Dealers Association
• Southern Equipment Dealers Association
• United Equipment Dealers Association
• Western Equipment Dealers Association
• Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association
• Northeast Equipment Dealers Association
• Far West Equipment Dealers Association