AED photo

First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (ret)

Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) announced that Nikki Haley will be the featured keynote speaker at the 2026 AED Summit, taking place in Dallas, Texas, Jan. 19-21, 2026.

Haley will be joined by a lineup of additional keynote speakers, including First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Ret.), economist Lauren Saidel-Baker, and an expert OEM panel moderated by Marc Johnson of Pinion Global.

"We are honored to welcome Ambassador Haley to the 2026 AED Summit," said AED President and CEO Brian P. McGuire. "Her bold leadership and global perspective, combined with the incredible lineup of speakers, will bring valuable insight to this year's event."

Haley's keynote will be presented as part of "Dinner and a Conversation" — an engaging and candid onstage dialogue between Haley and McGuire. The dinner event will offer attendees a rare opportunity to hear firsthand insights from one of the most influential figures in American politics and global diplomacy.

Haley made history as the youngest governor in the country and the first minority female governor in America. Under her leadership, South Carolina became a powerhouse in economic development, earning the nickname "The Beast of the Southeast." As U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Haley was widely recognized for her principled leadership, commitment to U.S. interests and outspoken advocacy for human rights. She was named one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential people in the world and one of Forbes' World's 100 Most Powerful women.

In addition to Haley, the Summit will feature First Sergeant Matt Eversmann (Ret.), whose story was portrayed in Black Hawk Down, sharing leadership lessons on resilience and strategic decision-making from his military experience. Marc Johnson of Pinion Global, a trusted advisor to equipment dealerships, will moderate the OEM Panel and economist Lauren Saidel-Baker of ITR Economics will provide essential macroeconomic analysis to help attendees make data-driven decisions for 2026 and beyond.

The AED Summit is the premier event for the equipment industry, uniting distributors, manufacturers and service providers from around the globe. The 2026 Summit will deliver world-class educational programming, unparalleled networking opportunities and invaluable strategic insights to help industry leaders drive their businesses forward.

For more information, visit www.aedsummit.com.

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