Schedule set for TIA's OTR Tire Conference 2010

Dec. 30, 2009

The schedule has been set for the Tire Industry Association's (TIA) 2010 Off-the-Road Tire Conference to be held Feb. 17 - 20 in Tucson, Ariz. The program includes business sessions, presentations and networking opportunities and more.

Conference headquarters is The Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa in Tucson, (800) 937-8461. Conference attendees should mention the event when making reservations to get the conference room rate, TIA notes.

The conference schedule includes:

Thursday, Feb. 18

* Morning breakfast featuring tabletop displays.

* Opening remarks by TIA President Wayne Croswell; Dr. Roy Littlefield, TIA executive vice president; and Robert Foord, TIA OTR group chairman and vice president, mining and commercial sales, Kal Tire.

* Comments by George Bishop, consultant, Truflex/Pang -- Tech.

* Safety Tip by Tom Klinge, president, Klinge Tyre Management Systems.

* OTR Conference 2010 by Tom Formanek, TIA events chair and manager, tire service products, Stellar Industries.

* 2009 U.S. Industry OTR Tire Production Numbers, OE and Replacement, presented by Angie Jones, general manager, marketing, Bridgestone Americas, Off-Road Tires.

* MSHA Technician Certification Update presented by Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice president of training.

* Tire Manufacturers Panel moderated by Marvin Bozarth, TIA senior technical consultant. The panel includes Roger Lucas, vice president earthmover division, Michelin North America; Nelson Richards, national sales manager, Yokohama Tire Corp.; Shawn Rasey, president, Bridgestone Americas, Off-Road Tires; Paul Hawkins, vice president, OTR sales, Titan Tire; and Rongsheng Sheng, general manager, Techking Tires Ltd.

Friday, Feb. 19

* Opening remarks by Robert Foord.

* Safety Tip by Tom Klinge.

* Keynote Presentation -- A Global Look at the OTR Industry by Roger Lucas, vice president earthmover division, Michelin North America.

* Caterpillar Presentations, Demonstrations, Mine Tour.

Saturday, Feb. 20

* Safety Tip by Tom Klinge.

* TIA OTR Group Business Session by Robert Foord and Mike Baggett, eastern OTR products manager, Yokohama Tire Corp.

* Shearography Inspection of Off-the-Road Tire Casings by Mike Berra Jr., vice president, Community Tire Retreading.

* China OTR Industry Update by Rongsheng Sheng.

* Building and Leading a World Class Sales Organization by Mike Russell, national account executive, Association Risk Management Services, Federated Insurance Companies.

* Preserving the American Dream – Keeping the Family Business Alive by Mike Russell.

* Closing Remarks by Robert Foord.

The conference also includes a golf tournament at the La Paloma Golf & Country Club, receptions, a gala dinner, cash giveaways and a spouse’s program.

For more information, visit TIA’s Web site at www.tireindustry.org.