The Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference (AETC) 2001 was held at the Hyatt Regency in Louisville, Ky. Feb. 11 to 13. Once again, AETC was a great success!

The conference provided an opportunity for more than 310 engineering professionals to learn and discuss many new and exciting technologies

More than 130 attendees participated in continuing education courses on off-road vehicle dynamics, under standing the European Union's machinery directive, robust design and traction and tractor performance basics.

Attendees also toured the biosystems and agricultural engineering department at the University of Kentucky and the Ford Motor Co. Louisville Assembly Plant.

The conference included many exciting technical sessions, which pro vided information about intelligent machinery, communication networks, electronics in agricultural equipment, information technology and more.

The keynote luncheon was the high light of the conference with Robert Macier, vice president of the Diversified Products Division of Caterpillar, Inc., presenting the keynote presentation on "Technology in Agriculture." He also spoke briefly about Caterpillar Agricultural Products' history and vision while sharing some of his professional experiences. (See feature article on page 7.)

Many of the conference participants also enjoyed the National Farm Machinery Show at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center.

I would like to thank all attendees and participants who helped make AETC 2001 successful. AETC 2002 will be Feb. 19 to 22 at the Westin Crowne Center in Kansas City, Mo. I hope you can make it!