Association of Equipment Management Professionals

What Association of Equipment Management Professionals does

The Association of Equipment Management Professionals (AEMP) is a nonprofit professional association founded in 1982 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., serving approximately 1,000 equipment and fleet management professionals across construction, government, utilities, energy, and mining industries. AEMP operates as the heavy equipment industry's only professional organization specifically for equipment managers, organized around the "Equipment Triangle" framework linking End Users, Distributors, and OEMs/Suppliers.

AEMP delivers a layered product portfolio built on three technology rails: the AEMP University (AEMPU) online learning platform for self-paced courses, the YourMembership.com association management system powering member-facing commerce and community, and the published ISO 15143-3 telematics standard governing mobile machinery data exchange. Core offerings include professional certifications (Certified Equipment Manager, Certified Equipment Support Professional), the entry-level Equipment Management Specialist certificate, multiple paid learning labs (IGNITE, Financial, Equipment Lifecycle, AI Academy), two flagship conferences (CONNECT and EquipmentSHIFT), a Sustainability Summit, the Heavy Equipment Comparator benchmarking report co-built with CFMA, and a Strategic Alliance Partner program enrolling eight major OEMs and rental suppliers.

The business model is diversified across five revenue streams: recurring annual membership dues ($450 individual to $3,500 manufacturer), training and certification fees ($300–$1,950 per attendee), conference and event registrations, subscription and PDF sales of the Heavy Equipment Comparator, and advertising/sponsorship from Strategic Alliance Partners and newsletter placements. Distribution is direct-to-member via the website, with eight-person leadership team headed by CEO Catherine Gahres and a 17-person headquarters staff in Washington, D.C.

Name

Association of Equipment Management Professionals

Legal name

Association of Equipment Management Professionals

Website

https://aemp.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

A nonprofit professional association founded in 1982 serving approximately 1,000 heavy equipment and fleet management professionals across construction, government, utilities, energy, and mining through certifications, training, conferences, and benchmarking products.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Information (51)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHDAEAEAM

Asset & Maintenance Management (EAM/CMMS) Platforms

Hardware, Technology & Telecom/Enterprise Platforms & Databases/Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Platforms

Keywords

• Equipment management certification
• Fleet management training
• Heavy equipment benchmarking
• Professional association services
• Telematics standards

Headquarters

HQ city

Middleton

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: Annual membership fees from Equipment Manager Individual ($450), Company/Organization ($1,950), Dealer/Distributor/Service Provider ($1,750), and Manufacturer ($3,500) categories.
2. Training and Certification Programs: Revenue from EMS Certificate ($595), IGNITE Learning Lab ($1,250-1,450), Financial Learning Lab ($800-900), Equipment Lifecycle Learning Lab ($800-900), CEM/CESP Certification exams ($550-650), and AI Academy ($300-1,950).
3. Conference and Event Fees: Registration fees for CONNECT Conference, EquipmentSHIFT Conference, and Sustainability Summit events.
4. Heavy Equipment Comparator Report: Subscription and PDF sales of the industry benchmark report, with member and non-member pricing tiers.
5. Publications and Merchandise: Sales of the Career Equipment Fleet Manager Manual (CEFM), Telematics for Fleet Managers manual, and organizational merchandise through the online store.
6. Advertising and Sponsorship: Digital newsletter ad sales (Equipment Manager and Insider newsletters), conference sponsorships at various levels, and website banner advertising.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AEMP is a nonprofit professional association that delivers continuing education, professional certifications, conferences, and industry benchmarking services specifically for heavy equipment and fleet managers. Its core offerings include the CEM and CESP certifications, the EMS certificate, training learning labs, the CONNECT and EquipmentSHIFT conferences, the Heavy Equipment Comparator benchmarking report, and the ISO 15143-3 telematics standard for mixed-fleet data exchange.

Product overview

AEMP offers a comprehensive professional development ecosystem for equipment management professionals centered around certifications (CEM, CESP), certificates (EMS), and training programs (IGNITE Learning Lab, Financial Learning Lab, Equipment Lifecycle Learning Lab, AI Academy, webinars). The association hosts two major conferences annually (CONNECT and EquipmentSHIFT), publishes the annual Journal of Equipment Management, and provides the CEFM Manual and Telematics for Fleet Managers publications. Key technology offerings include the AEMP Telematics Standard (ISO 15143-3) and the Heavy Equipment Comparator benchmarking report developed jointly with CFMA. The AEMP University (AEMPU) online platform delivers self-paced education, while the Online Store supports merchandise and publication purchases. The association also operates a Strategic Alliance Partner program with major equipment manufacturers and suppliers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AI Academy: Educational experience bridging cutting-edge artificial intelligence and real-world equipment operations
• AEMP University (AEMPU)
• Heavy Equipment Comparator (HEC)

Products and services

• AI Academy Educational program that teaches heavy equipment professionals to leverage AI for reducing maintenance costs, optimizing fleet utilization, and extending equipment lifecycles. Delivered through webinars and an in-person workshop, with a digital certificate and CEU credits awarded.
• CONNECT Conference Annual flagship conference held in Las Vegas where equipment managers gather for holistic equipment management education, networking, and recognition. Connects professionals across people, machines, and money dimensions of fleet management.
• EquipmentSHIFT Conference Annual innovation-focused conference held in New Orleans where forward-thinking equipment management professionals share ideas, explore technology showcases, and engage in hands-on workshops to shape the future of fleet management.
• Sustainability Summit Annual summit bringing together industry leaders to discuss sustainability challenges and collaborate on solutions for the heavy equipment industry, hosted at partner facilities to establish methods for measuring carbon intensity of equipment fleets.
• Certified Equipment Manager (CEM) Certification Professional certification for equipment fleet managers responsible for overall management of equipment fleets, budgets, and operations. Requires 5+ years of experience, supervisory experience, and 25 qualifying points.
• Certified Equipment Support Professional (CESP) Certification Professional certification for individuals supporting equipment operations through service, logistics, and customer support roles, including dealership and OEM representatives.
• Equipment Management Specialist (EMS) Certificate Self-paced virtual certificate program providing foundational knowledge for professionals in their first five years of equipment management. Serves as a launchpad for career advancement and the CEM/CESP certification path.
• IGNITE Learning Lab Eight-week online course designed to prepare candidates for the CEM and CESP certification exams, featuring a structured curriculum, live prep sessions with expert trainers, online access to the CEFM Manual, exercises, and pre-tests.
• Financial Learning Lab Two-day immersive in-person workshop equipping experienced equipment managers with practical frameworks for justifying equipment purchases, determining useful life, and evaluating equipment performance. Awards 12 CE credits.
• Equipment Lifecycle Learning Lab Two-day immersive course for experienced equipment managers to maximize equipment fleet performance through stronger financial strategy and smarter decision-making across lifecycle processes.
• Heavy Equipment Comparator (HEC) Report Industry's most trusted benchmarking report connecting equipment performance with financial outcomes, built in partnership with CFMA. Delivers fleet performance benchmarks including 26 financial and shop data points, with optional peer group comparison add-ons.
• Heavy Equipment Comparator Subscription Online subscription tool allowing users to build exportable files selecting up to five financial and/or maintenance criteria, plus unlimited Peer Group Comparison Reports for ongoing fleet benchmarking.
• Road to Equipment Management Leadership Webinar Series Three-part webinar series for emerging equipment managers covering Essentials, Financials, and Technology pillars of AEMP Core Content to develop fundamental fleet leadership knowledge.
• Career Equipment Fleet Manager (CEFM) Manual Comprehensive reference manual for career equipment fleet managers that serves as study material for the CEM and CESP certification exams, sold through the AEMP online store.
• AEMP Telematics for Fleet Managers Manual Guide covering the what, where, and how of telematics for construction fleets, helping fleet managers implement and leverage telematics technology.
• Technology Support Guide High-level overview of telematics standard adoption and implementation, developed by the AEMP Technology Committee to provide clarity and guidance on telematics across the industry.
• Journal of Equipment Management Annual peer-reviewed journal published prior to the CONNECT Conference featuring articles and key features to advance the equipment management profession.
• Strategic Alliance Partner (SAP) Program Partner program providing enriched membership for OEMs, vendors, and service providers with exclusive programs and access to AEMP members. Current partners include Herc Rentals, John Deere, Komatsu, Shell, Sunbelt Rentals, Tenna, Volvo, and WearCheck.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80%+ of EMS graduates reported the course content improved the quality of their work
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability7 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Herc RentalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Alliance Partner supporting the AEMP mission. Herc Rentals is a leading equipment rental supplier serving construction, industrial, government, and specialty markets across North America. The partnership involves Women of AEMP initiative at EquipmentSHIFT and focus on equipment lifecycle management, sustainability solutions, and operational efficiency.
• John DeerecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Alliance Partner and global leader in construction and forestry equipment. John Deere has proudly sponsored the AEMP Technician of the Year Award for over 20 years. Committee involvement includes Education & Training, Awards and Recognition, and Certification committees.
• KomatsucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Alliance Partner developing and supplying technologies, equipment and services for construction, mining, forklift, industrial and forestry markets. Involved in the AEMP Innovation Committee.
• ShellcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Alliance Partner and world's leading lubricant supplier. Shell provides premium lubricants, technical services including sensor-based continuous monitoring of engine oils and hydraulic fluids, and advanced digital solutions for the heavy equipment industry.
• Sunbelt RentalscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Alliance Partner providing tools, equipment, and expertise across North America. Sunbelt Rentals supports AEMP's Education Committee and Awards Committee. Partnership emphasizes collaboration between practitioners and solution providers.
• TennacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Alliance Partner providing construction technology platform for mixed fleet operations. Tenna connects every aspect of equipment management including tracking, utilization, maintenance, and safety. Committee involvement includes Innovation, ISO Telematics Sub-Committee, Tech Summit, and Safety Sub-Committees.
• VolvocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Alliance Partner and global manufacturer of construction machinery. Volvo focuses on safety, quality, and sustainability with active advancement in electrification. Volvo representative involved in Education & Training Committee.
• WearCheckcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic Alliance Partner providing equipment managers with actionable intelligence through advanced fluid analysis and data-driven management reporting. Involved in AEMP Education Committee. Supports proactive maintenance to reduce unscheduled downtime.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Tenna: Construction-focused telematics and asset-tracking SaaS platform listed as an AEMP Strategic Alliance Partner. Closely engages with AEMP via the ISO Telematics Sub-Committee and Tech Summit, and is the natural technology counterpart enabling the ISO 15143-3 standard.

Direct peers

• American Rental Association (ARA): Trade association for equipment rental operators and suppliers, with overlapping members (Herc, Sunbelt, United Rentals are all AEMP SAPs and active in ARA). Comparable in its member-services model, annual conference, and training/certification programs in the heavy equipment ecosystem.
• American Public Works Association (APWA): Association for public-agency infrastructure and fleet professionals; serves the same municipal/government fleet manager persona as AEMP's government segment. Comparable membership, training, and credential-driven model, with overlapping customers such as counties and municipal fleets.
• National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER): Construction-industry craft training and credentialing organization issuing widely adopted certifications. Analogous in its credentialing-as-business-model and structured framework approach to AEMP's CEM/CESP/EMS pathway within the heavy equipment niche.
• NAFA Fleet Management Association: National membership association for professional fleet managers across automotive, government, utilities, and corporate fleets. Most direct peer: both serve fleet/asset management professionals with memberships, certifications (CAFM, CAFS), annual conferences, and professional development.
• Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA): Membership association for financial professionals in the construction industry. Explicit co-development partner with AEMP on the Heavy Equipment Comparator report, sharing the same construction-industry buyer base, certification model, and conference sponsorship ecosystem.

Emerging players

• SAE International: Global standards body and professional association for mobility and aerospace engineering professionals. Comparable as a member-driven, standards-setting professional association issuing certifications and operating in adjacent heavy-equipment/off-highway engineering standards work.

Broad incumbents

• Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM): Larger trade association representing heavy equipment OEMs and suppliers in the same industry AEMP serves. Comparable on industry advocacy, statistics, and standards (jointly developed ISO 15143-3), but serves manufacturers rather than fleet operators.
• Associated Equipment Distributors (AED): Trade association for equipment distributors, dealers, and manufacturers serving construction, agriculture, and industrial markets. Analogous membership/conference/education model but focused on the dealer-distributor side of the Equipment Triangle rather than end-user fleet managers.
• Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC): Large national construction industry trade association with parallel member categories and tiered dues. Overlaps with AEMP at member companies (e.g., Bechtel, Flatiron, Aldridge) and competes for the same corporate training and conference mind-share, though broader in scope.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AEMP_ORG

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association of Equipment Management Professionals