The Deep Southern Equipment Dealers Association proudly welcomed 200 Dealer Member attendees, their families and Industry Partners from across North America to the beautiful Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa for the 2026 DSEDA Summer Conference, held July 12–14. By every measure, this year's conference was one of the most successful in association history, bringing together equipment dealers and industry leaders for three unforgettable days of education, fellowship, networking and celebration.
The conference officially kicked off Sunday evening with DSEDA's beloved Annual Welcome Shrimp Boil & Pig Roast, where attendees enjoyed outstanding food, live entertainment and reconnecting with friends from across the Deep South. An incredible 145 pounds of fresh Gulf shrimp were boiled while a 150-pound smoked pig was slow-smoked to perfection, creating the perfect atmosphere to launch another memorable conference.
Monday morning saw dealers take to the fairways for the Annual DSEDA Golf Tournament at The Links Golf Course at Sandestin. Despite the refreshing Florida Summer rain, the tournament proved to be another outstanding success, filled with friendly competition, laughter and valuable networking opportunities among dealers and industry partners.
New for 2026 were the highly popular Hospitality Cabanas, located poolside and beachfront and sponsored by several of DSEDA's outstanding industry partners. These cabanas became gathering places where members relaxed, built new relationships and strengthened existing partnerships while enjoying Florida's beautiful Emerald Coast. The inaugural cabana experience quickly became a conference favorite and will undoubtedly become a staple of future DSEDA Summer Conference events.
Reflecting on the tremendous success of the conference, DSEDA President and CEO Vincent Zebeau Jr. shared:
"The 2026 Summer Conference exceeded every expectation we had. Seeing more than 200 dealer members, families and industry partners gathered together reminds us that DSEDA is much more than an association, it's a family. The education, networking, fellowship and relationships built over these three days will continue to strengthen our dealerships and our industry long after everyone has returned home. We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors, volunteers, speakers and every attendee who made this one of the most successful Summer Conferences in DSEDA history."
Beyond the social activities, the conference continued DSEDA's commitment to delivering meaningful education and advocacy. The Board of Directors met to conduct the business of the association and discuss priorities that will continue to strengthen equipment dealers throughout the Deep South. Dealer members also participated in a half-day educational program featuring expert presentations on HR and Payroll Strategies, Insurance Fraud Red Flags and Remedies, Employee Benefits Regulations and Cybersecurity Compliance, timely topics that provide practical value for today's dealerships.
Attendees also had the privilege of hearing from Daniel Fisher, Senior Vice President of Government & External Affairs for Associated Equipment Distributors (AED), whose presentation highlighted the strength of DSEDA's partnership with AED in providing equipment dealers with a powerful voice in Washington, DC. Fisher shared an update on congressional activity and federal policy developments affecting the industry reinforcing the importance of strong advocacy on behalf of DSEDA's dealer members.
2026 DSEDA Chairman Josh Vines, owner of Allegiance Ag & Turf in Bastrop, La., reflected on the week by saying:
"Serving as Chairman during a conference like this has been an incredible honor. The energy throughout the week was contagious, from our Welcome Shrimp Boil and Golf Tournament to the educational sessions and Farewell Reception. What impressed me most was seeing dealers from across the Deep South come together to share ideas, encourage one another and invest in the future of our industry. DSEDA continues to demonstrate the value of strong relationships, and I'm excited about the momentum we're carrying into 2027."
The conference concluded with DSEDA's Farewell Reception, serving as the Summer Conference’s "Goodbye Wave," where members gathered one final time to celebrate another extraordinary conference, reflect on new friendships and business connections and say goodbye until next time.
The tremendous attendance, enthusiastic participation, exceptional educational programming and overwhelming support from members and industry partners made the 2026 Summer Conference one of the finest in DSEDA history. It served as another reminder that DSEDA continues to provide unmatched opportunities for education, advocacy and fellowship while strengthening equipment dealers across the Deep South.
Planning is already underway for the 2027 DSEDA Summer Conference, and excitement is already building for the association's next event, the 2027 DSEDA Annual Meeting at AED Summit, taking place in January 2027 at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida. We look forward to continuing the momentum and welcoming our members to another outstanding event.
For information about DSEDA membership or upcoming events, please contact deepsouthern@dseda.org.
