After all, a group of CEOs losing a few days of golf at Sawgrass Golf Resort and Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., where the meeting was to be held, won’t elicit much of a pity party from struggling tire dealers.

But the RMA cancellation may be a sign of things to come.

A few weeks ago, the CV Show, Europe’s biggest commercial truck and truck tire expo, saw its 2009 event cancelled. The U.K.’s National Tyre Dealers Association issued a somewhat impassioned plea for the industry to rally round Brityrex, set for September in Manchester. Usually show organizers don’t do a lot of pleading for support, unless there is a big reason to do so.

Over here, word is that one super major exhibitor has pulled the plug on its Mid-America Trucking Show booth. Others may follow.

The point is, nothing is as it once was. We may well see other seemingly bullet-proof industry trade shows take a hiatus, or even shift away from being an annual to becoming biannual. Or go away altogether.

If you have comments to share, send to me at [email protected].

– Jim Smith