Already Talking 2017

It is hard enough to keep track of what day of the week it is, and especially difficult to remember what month it is. The nature of the publishing industry and the 24-hour news cycle is that you are always working, and you are always working in the past, present and future simultaneously. For example, as we finish up the May/June issue, we are already writing the July/August issue, interviewing for the September issue, and planning the October State of the Industry issue. 

So, it is even harder to know when I am in the spectrum of time when so many people in the industry are already talking about 2017. My guess is that much of the focus on 2017 is due to the disappointment that 2016 did not turn out to be the recovery year that everyone was prepared and hopeful for, specifically in the down markets of agriculture, mining, and oil and gas. However, with the quadrennial MINExpo 2016 in September, there is a good chance that the mining industry will see a shift toward a positive future outlook and an increased interest in new equipment purchases. 

There is no doubt that 2017 will be a good year, especially because it features the return of the one and only CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE show in Las Vegas, NV — the largest international gathering in the Western Hemisphere for the construction industries.

New to the show grounds is a 75,000 sq. ft. Tech Experience pavilion where visitors can see the future of the construction industry. “The Tech Experience will not only present a vision for the future of our industry, but it will also raise awareness of technologies that enhance safety, productivity and profitability. Attendees will explore three key zones,” says Sara Truesdale Mooney, Show Director and Vice President Exhibitions and Business Development for AEM. “The worksite of the future, the jobs of the future, and the infrastructure of the future. We’ll also feature additional engagement zones including a Maker Beta Lab that will feature a collaborative future factory environment and the world’s first fully functional 3D-printed excavator.” 

Speaking of focusing on the future, I recently received a Top Women in Media award from Folio: magazine. Being recognized for the strides OEM Off-Highway magazine and OEMOffHighway.com have made in the nine years I've been on the team was incredibly validating that what we are doing is working. But more than validation, the recognition also has motivated me to keep the brand progressing forward and to stay one step ahead of industry trends. 

My goal is as strong as ever: To bring you the essential information you need to make informed decisions during the R&D, design, and production stages of product development. If there are things we are missing, information you want us to investigate, or even better - things you like and you just want to tell us, contact me directly. 

Email: editor@oemoffhighway.com

Twitter Direct Message: @OEMEditor