For more than 25 years, some of the most important work done by the North American Equipment Dealer Assn. (NAEDA) has happened across the table from manufacturer leadership. Those conversations have given dealers a voice in decisions that affect their livelihood, and helped dealers and manufacturers work through challenges together.

Today, that work has a new face. The Industry Relations Task Force, long known as IRTF, is now Industry Affairs.

The new name carries forward a longstanding commitment to dealer advocacy, with expanding manufacturer engagement and a significant new partnership with the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) organization.

The program’s roots reach back to the late 1990s, when concerns over warranty reimbursement, dealer agreements, and business practices brought dealer associations and manufacturers together for more structured discussions. The idea was simple: Get the right people in the room, understand the concerns, and work toward solutions before disagreements become larger disputes.

Through NAEDA and its predecessor associations, including the Western Equipment Dealers Assn., those conversations developed into regular manufacturer meetings, reviews of proposed dealer agreements, and ongoing work to improve the dealer–manufacturer relationship.

Bringing these two powerhouse associations together is a major step forward. It combines deep industry experience, established manufacturer relationships, and a broader range of dealer perspectives. For dealers, it means a louder, more coordinated voice. For manufacturers, it creates a stronger partner in understanding challenges and finding practical solutions.

The opportunity is substantial because dealers and manufacturers depend on each other’s success. Better communication and earlier engagement can help both make better decisions, support customers, and build stronger businesses.