Michelle started her career as a secretary in the exhibitions department in 1994 and quickly grew in her career to become an integral leader of the AEM exhibitions and operations team. She oversaw operations for AEM’s many tradeshows, including CONEXPO-CON/AGG, The Utility Expo, AG Connect and World of Asphalt. She traveled the globe to support international exhibitions in China, India and Russia, among other places. Through her leadership, AEM was able to advance their mission to create successful and effective opportunities to connect equipment manufacturers with agriculture and construction equipment end users.

Dennis Slater AEM“For more than 20 years, Michelle was a bright asset to the AEM team, and her infectious laugh and smile are profoundly missed,” says AEM President Dennis Slater (pictured left). “A large part of AEM’s success in producing some of the largest tradeshows 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.”

Michelle was a long-time member of International Association of Exhibitions and Events, earning her Certified Exhibition Manager designation. She shared her love for exhibitions on numerous councils and committees within IAEE, including the education committee, the CEM oversight committee that wrote the curriculum on the contract management segment, and she also served as proxy for several other AEM staff looking to also receive the CEM designation. She served on the board of the Major American Trade Show Organization and led that group in its strategic planning. She was a member of the Advisory Group for the cities of Las Vegas and Orlando. She launched tradeshows on behalf of AEM in China and Russia, and she supported many other domestic and international events.

Michelle enjoyed time with family and giving back to her community. She volunteered at many organizations but had the strongest connection with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin. Michelle served on their board and served as a direct volunteer.

She is survived by her husband, Donald, mother Claire MacKenzie, brother Doug (Nicole) MacKenzie, sister-in-law of Vickie (Mike) James, father-in-law Dannie Avers, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. A celebration of her life was held on April 24 in Greenfield, Wisconsin. The AEM staff will honor Michelle when they are back together in the office in the fall.

To share a memory or leave condolences, visit www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/jsonline/name/michelle-sanford-obituary?pid=198391876

This story originally appeared at www.aem.org/news/in-memoriam-longtime-aem-team-member-passes