TIA Out of Planned Conference

Contrary to how it had been positioned in promotional items and stories, TIA officials said that the association had no signed agreements with Crain Communications, publisher of Tire Business and Rubber & Plastics News, to serve as “aftermarket conference chair” or to provide educational seminars for its for-profit International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC) event.

Crain recently announced its intention to expand its ITEC event, previously focused only on rubber and plastics development, to include exhibitors and seminars targeting tire dealers and distributors.

TIA’s statement read: “The Tire Industry Association (TIA) had been in very preliminary discussions with Crain Communications, parent company of the 2010 International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC), to provide them with educational content. At no time was there ever a signed agreement between our organizations to provide this educational content, or for TIA to be the Aftermarket Conference Chair for this conference. We have made the decision to cease any further discussions with Crain concerning ITEC, and we maintain our commitment to the SEMA Show and our Tires, Wheels & Equipment Section.”

Ascot Supply Corporation, based in Newnan, Georgia, has selected Mark Paquette for the newly created position of vice president. In this position, Ascot Supply said Paquette will oversee the growth of the company's products, corporate profitability, manage marketing and advertising and assume many other responsibilities.

He will work under the direction of current President David Kessler and officially begin his new role on June 3. Paquette joined the tire and automotive industry in the early 1980s at his father's tire shop, and his contributions to Mohawk Rubber Sales were instrumental in the company's growth and eventual sale to Myers Tire Supply in 2021, according to Ascot Supply. Paquette eventually was given a promotion to the role of director of operations at Myers Tire Supply.