Letter of appreciation
It isn’t the first time it has struck me how impactful our readers and advertisers are, but it is definitely the hardest it’s ever hit me. Two years ago, when OEM Off-Highway launched its first “Green Issue” in March of 2009, it was an overwhelming sense of pride for me. Not only because it was my own creation and my first big project for the magazine, but also because it allowed me to demonstrate the social and environmental issues being tackled in the off-road equipment industry, on top of the various other demands, requirements and regulatory compliances.
I have developed a deep appreciation for the innovation and creative efforts of the engineers I speak with every day, and I wanted to use this Editor’s Notebook to extend my personal gratitude for all that they do, as well as the countless ways they contribute to progressing technology and the economy forward. Not just the engineers of course, but the numerous other people involved in the research, testing, product development and implementation of new products.
Equipment manfacturers and component manufacturers alike have not allowed the slowed economy to impede real progress.
This year at CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE 2011 in Las Vegas, NV, tens of thousands of people gathered to announce new, more efficient, faster, sleeker, more advanced, cleaner, and optimized systems and equipment to the world—and the world responded.
According to an official press release from the Assn. of Equipment Manufacturers’ (AEM) president Dennis Slater, “A resounding wave of attendees, including an unexpected readiness of these customers to buy, surged into the exhibits at CONEXPO-CON/AGG and IFPE. Nearly 120,000 industry professionals, including an all-time record of 24% international delegates, crowded the aisles, delivering an overwhelmingly positive message that the industry recovery is getting underway.”
During the show, the grassroots campaign I Make America (www.IMakeAmerica.com) gained over 3,000 more supporters, continuing its momentum to drive U.S. job creation. The mission aims to convince Congress to pass policies targeted at revitalizing the U.S. construction and manufacturing industries and the United States’ economic growth and international competitiveness through infrastructure investment.
You can see some of the dozens of visits OEM made to readers and advertisers by going to our Twitter feed (www.twitter.com/oemoffhighway) and searching our personal hashtag #OEMatIFPE to find news and pictures from the show.
Finally, OEM Off-Highway would like to introduce you to our latest addition to the editorial staff, Sara Jensen. After only one week with the magazine, Sara was carelessly tossed into CONEXPO and IFPE and gracefully endured the baptism by fire. Please join me in welcoming her to the staff.
