FAQs

What is the difference between AED and The AED Foundation?

What is AED?

AED is an international trade association representing companies involved in the distribution, rental and support of equipment used in construction, mining, forestry, power generation, agriculture and industrial applications.

AED provides a variety of services and business development opportunities for our members at a reduced rate and we want you, as an active member, to take full advantage of your membership!

Everything AED provides to our membership is designed to enhance the ongoing success and profitability of businesses by providing public policy and advocacy, industry-specific education, career development opportunities, research, benchmarking reports and networking platforms to facilitate business-to-business interactions.

AED is your pathway to flexible learning opportunities that accommodate every level of dealership employee, from apprentice to executive. The AED Foundation’s wide variety of professional education services includes position-specific certifications, webinars, self-study courses and on-site custom programs in management, parts, service, sales, and rental. Members also receive our award-winning monthly publication, Construction Equipment Distribution (CED) Magazine.

Leverage the expertise of your AED regional manager. They’ll make it incredibly easy to become involved and engaged in the Association to ensure you’re getting the most from your membership.

The AED Foundation

Established in 1991 and directed by AED members, The AED Foundation addresses professional education and workforce development in the industry. The AED Foundation has three primary areas of focus which includes accreditation, career promotion and research.

Accreditation:
The AED Foundation accredits postsecondary equipment technology programs and recognizes high school diesel technology programs in order to help build a sustainable pipeline of qualified technicians.

Career Promotion:
The AED Foundation programs offer not just job training but long-term career pathways and continuing education. To effectively address the technician shortage and the image of the industry, it’s important to continuously build industry awareness in students, parents, educators, and other stakeholders. The AED Foundation actively works to promote rewarding career opportunities available in the equipment distribution industry.

Research:
The AED Foundation is the leading organization funding industry-specific research in order to advance the importance of workforce development, and it shares that data with legislators, educators, the media and other stakeholders. Research is critical because it helps quantify the challenges the equipment industry faces and allows The AED Foundation to leverage the power of the industry to drive meaningful change and to track emerging trends.

How do I get the most out of my membership?

Members can get the most out of their membership by taking advantage of what their dues are going towards. This means being an active participant in AED hosted events, utilizing educational material and using our resources to ensure you’re hiring and using the best accredited technicians.

Are all my locations members of AED?

Yes, once your company becomes a member of AED, your branches will receive member benefits including discounted registration rates, access to exclusive networking opportunities, detailed educational programs and much more.

How do I access my membership profile?

You can access your membership profile by clicking the ‘login’ button in the upper right-hand corner of the website. Please provide your e-mail address and password to login.

When you login to your membership profile, you can register for events, purchase items, view the membership directory and more!

If this is your first time logging in, please use your work email address and the password: Password1. Please call 630-574-0650 for assistance. If you are a visitor and not a registered user, please use the New Visitor Registration to register for the site. Verify your registration status.

What do my dues go towards?

Membership dues go towards a multitude of facets:

  • Public policy and advocacy – AED is our members’ voice in
    Washington and Ottawa
  • Industry education, training and career development
  • Research, analysis, and information on markets, economic
    and business trends, and performance benchmarks
  • Events and opportunities that enhance networking,
    facilitate business-to-business interaction and
    cooperation, and cultivate sources of capital and finance
  • Public relations that promotes knowledge, understanding,
    and enhancement of the evolving role of distributors in
    North American markets

How do I access online education?

AED and The AED Foundation provide a variety of educational and learning opportunities to our members. You can learn more about the programs we offer like certified management programs, certified technician programs, industry events, webinars and self-study courses by visiting our Events and Continuing Education pages.

How do I hire Technicians?

The AED Foundation accredits postsecondary equipment technology programs and recognizes high school diesel technology programs in order to help build a sustainable pipeline of qualified technicians. The programs offer not just job training but long term career pathways and continuing education. Dealers involved in the accreditation process can help shape the program to fit their workforce needs while building stronger relationships with students and instructors to aid the recruiting process. Building a pipeline between your local schools helps to ensure that the best technicians are made available to you and your dealership.

How do I register for AED events?

We encourage you to view AED’s event and networking opportunities that are available underneath the events tab on the main header. We provide events that cater to every arena of your business like the following categories; leadership, human resources, finance, public policy and advocacy, etc. If you find something that piques your interest, simply click the registration link that is located on the page. After clicking registration, you will be prompted to log-in to complete your event registration. If this is
your first time logging in, please use your work email address and the password: Password1. Please call 630-574-0650 for assistance.

If you are a visitor and not a registered user, please use the New Visitor Registration to register for the site. Click the link here to verify your registration status.

Learn More About AED

Ready to Join Associated Equipment Distributors?

Take the first step by visiting our membership information page and downloading and submitting an application. If you have questions or would like to know more about our products and services, please give us a call at 630-574-0650 today.

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