The Global Tire Expo (GTE) set a record in 2013 with the number of exhibitors and buyers and we are confident that this year’s show will be no different,” says Dr. Roy Littlefield, Tire Industry Association (TIA) executive vice president. “Whether you are a buyer or an exhibitor, GTE is the one must-attend show of the year to keep your business moving forward.
“We’re excited to once again be working with our partners at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) to put together a world-class show that is unmatched in the tire industry.”
The Global Tire Expo — Powered by TIA is part of the SEMA Show, which will be taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 4 – 7, 2014. Currently there are 268 companies signed up for the GTE, including 40 first-time exhibitors. Those numbers are expected to grow in the next two months.
TIA also has planned a high-impact seminar program geared toward tire dealers presented by tire industry experts.
Additionally, TIA is hosting pre-show events for tire dealers on Monday, Nov. 3, at Caesars Palace including a cocktail hour (5 p.m. to 6 p.m.), the Tire Industry Honors awards ceremony (6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.) , and the TIA welcome reception (7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.).
Last year’s GTE had a record-setting 280-plus exhibitors covering 160,000 square feet of exhibit space. It is one of 12 sections making up the SEMA Show. Other sections include Mobile Electronics & Technology; Racing & Performance; Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road; Business Services; Collision Repair & Refinish; Restoration Marketplace; Tools and Equipment; Hot Rod Alley; Powersports & Utility Vehicles, Restyling & Car Care Accessories and Wheels and Accessories. In total, the SEMA Show 2013 had more than 2,400 exhibiting companies involved with the $31.3 billion automotive aftermarket industry.
So far, the SEMA Show has signed up 2,313 exhibitors (a 4% increase over last year at this time) including 453 first-time companies (on par with last year’s numbers). Exhibit show floor square footage already is up 7%, SEMA says.
Next month, MTD will cover the free seminars available through SEMA.
TIA educational sessions
Tuesday, Nov. 4
TPMS at 10: Tire Dealers Share TPMS Success
Speakers: Sean MacKinnon, TIA director of automotive training development; Matt White, TIA director of tire service; other industry representatives TBA.
Now that we are years into tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) service, TIA has invited several independent dealers to talk about how TPMS has impacted their businesses and how they were able to turn TPMS headaches into TPMS profits.
Truck Tires at 10: CSA and the Changing Face of Truck Tire Service
Speaker: Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice president of training.
This presentation outlines the Compliance Safety Accountability (CSA) program from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and demonstrates how it is affecting the way that fleets maintain their vehicles. It will provide a brief history of the program and address the updates/changes that have been made since its inception in 2010. It also shows how expectations are changing in the fleet maintenance business and how dealers can capitalize on these changes.
Tires at 2: Successful Tire Dealers Share Their Secrets
Speakers: TBA
Modern Tire Dealer’s Tire Dealer of the Year Bruce Halle plus other tire trade publication award winners will each give a brief description of their companies and then offer some insight on what they think has made them successful. Following the presentations, the winners will participate in a question and answer session.
Wednesday, Nov. 5
TPMS at 10: TPMS Troubleshooting
Speakers: Sean MacKinnon, TIA director of automotive training development; Matt White, TIA director of tire service.
TIA reports it has spent the last year talking to tire dealers across the country, pinpointing the top 10 TPMS issues dealers are facing in their shops. Solutions to these issues will be offered and there will also be an open discussion on the topic.
Truck Tires at 10: Identifying Hazards in Commercial Tire Service
Speaker: Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice president of training.
TIA has been tracking fatality data from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) since 2009 and has participated in several OSHA investigations related to commercial tire service over the past 17 years. This seminar will identify the most significant hazards to technicians who service truck tires and wheels and provide specific examples of both fatal and non-fatal accidents. It also will include tips and guidelines that service providers can use to prevent the types of accidents that often result in serious or fatal injuries that typically happen prior to an OSHA investigation.
Management at 2: The Future of Social Media
Speaker: Pat Sandone, founder and president of Net Driven.
An over-saturation of content and a shift toward app-only software means Internet users are starting to value quality relationships over the quantity of relationships in their network. Learn how to communicate with and keep your online audience engaged in today’s changing social media landscape.
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Thursday, Nov. 6
Management at 2: Risk Management and Standard of Care
Speakers: Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice president of training; Laramie Sandquist, risk manager-national accounts, Federated Insurance Companies.
TIA has been working closely with Federated Insurance over the past few years to help tire service providers develop effective risk management programs. Everything from driving safety to service procedures and training has an effect on the amount of liability that companies must assume. This presentation will identify the most common types of losses in the tire service industry and explain how standard of care applies to everything that happens in the shop. It also will feature actual case studies from the industry to demonstrate how easily a tire service provider can become exposed to litigation.
Schedule at a glance
Monday, Nov. 3
7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
TirePAC Silent Auction, Caesars Palace, final viewing from 7:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. at the TIA Welcome Reception (ticketed event)
8 a.m. – noon
Continental breakfast and TIA board of directors meeting, Caesars Palace
8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Tread Rubber & Tire Repair Materials Manufacturers’ Group (TRMG) meeting, Caesars Palace
9 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
State association executive meeting, Caesars Palace
Noon – 12:30 p.m.
Annual membership meeting (open to all members), Caesars Palace
12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
TIA appreciation lunch with state executives (by invitation only), Caesars Palace
2:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Tire Retread and Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) meeting, Caesars Palace
5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Cocktail hour (open to all members), Caesars Palace
6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Tire Industry Honors awards ceremony, Caesars Palace (ticketed event — open to all members and show attendees)
7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Welcome reception, Caesars Palace, (ticketed event — open to all members and show attendees)
Tuesday, Nov. 4
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Global Tire Expo — Powered by TIA/SEMA Show, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
TPMS at 10, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Truck Tires at 10, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Noon – 1:30 p.m.
TIA past presidents’ luncheon (by invitation only), Las Vegas Country Club
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Tires at 2, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Wednesday, Nov. 5
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Global Tire Expo — Powered by TIA/SEMA Show, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Car Tires at 10, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Truck Tires at 10, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Tires at 2, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Thursday, Nov. 6
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Global Tire Expo — Powered by TIA/SEMA Show, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Tires at 2, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Friday, Nov. 7
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Global Tire Expo — Powered by TIA/SEMA Show, Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall
Hotel information
Caesars Palace is the TIA host hotel for the 2014 Global Tire Expo. For reservations, call (800) 221-3531. Reservation specialists are available Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. (ET). Mention TIA to get the conference room rate. ■
