MILWAUKEE, WISC.—The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has announced Michelle Sanford, its senior director of contract and vendor management, passed away on April 19 after a long battle with cancer.
Sanford oversaw operations for AEM’s trade shows such as CONEXPO-CON/AGG, the Utility Expo, AG Connect and World of Asphalt and worked in China, India and Russia amongst other countries to support international exhibitors, an AEM release stated.
“For more than 20 years, Michelle was a bright asset to the AEM team, and her infectious laugh and smile are profoundly missed. A large part of AEM’s success in producing some of the largest trade shows in the world are due to Michelle’s tremendous management skills and leadership. We all have a heavy heart as we move forward without Michelle. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time,” AEM president Dennis Slater said in a statement.
Sanford started her career in 1994 as a secretary in AEM’s exhibitions department and advanced to become “an integral leader of the AEM exhibitions and operations team,” the release stated.
She was a long-time member of International Association of Exhibitions and Events and served on that organization’s education committee and CEM oversight committee. Sanford also served on the board of the Major American Trade Show Organization and was a member of the advisory group for the cities of Las Vegas and Orlando.
Sanford’s obituary can be found here.
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