TIA and SEMA this morning announced significant changes to the 2010 SEMA Show, creating a “tire industry only” section in the massive show, adding educational seminars, and taking specific action to contain exhibitor costs.
The announcement comes five months after TIA and SEMA undertook a thorough reexamination of the role TIA and the tire industry play in the SEMA Show, and began to address specific concerns expressed by exhibitors, particularly those of the major tire companies that left the trade show floor in recent years.
The new show section – to be called the Global Tire Expo Powered by TIA – will be open to all segments of the tire industry, including automotive, commercial, retreading, recycling and more, TIA said.
“To reinforce the tires-only focus, the Expo will have its own branding, entrance units and color scheme,” TIA explained. “Tire manufacturers’ booths will be placed in the center in order to provide a greater level of prominence, and TIA will work with them on a one-on-one basis to assist them with every aspect of exhibiting at the show.”
"Today ushers in a new day for the tire industry. With the creation of the Global Tire Expo Powered by TIA and the fact that it will now unite exhibitors from all sectors of the tire industry in our own, tire-focused area, we are optimistic that it will become the premier event in the world for the tire industry," said TIA President Wayne Croswell.
"By working with TIA, we have created the Global Tire Expo to meet the needs of the tire industry," said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. "We’re excited and confident that the 2010 SEMA Show and the Global Tire Expo will be more meaningful and relevant than ever before for tire manufacturers and buyers."
"Many buyers at the SEMA Show are looking to expand their product lines to include tire-related products,” he said. “The dedicated floor section and the other new programs will help buyers discover the potential that the tire industry has to offer."
The Global Tire Expo will also include expanded educational sessions specific to the tire industry, and will include "TPMS at 10," "Tires at 2" and "Management at 4" sessions on each day of the show. Each educational track, said TIA, will feature a session relevant to tire dealers and lead by the most knowledgeable experts in the tire industry.
The educational sessions will be located in the sky bridge between the Central and South Halls (near the show management office) of the Las Vegas Convention Center, making it easier for attendees to find the session rooms.
TIA said it is “continuing to work with SEMA on other aspects of the Expo. More improvements are expected in the coming months and will be announced as they develop.”
In addition, SEMA will place a permanent TIA representative on its Show Committee, as well as on the SEMA Tire & Wheel Council, effective immediately. TIA will also continue its outreach to the tire manufacturers in order “to better ensure their representation in the Expo activities.”
SEMA said it is also “making a special effort to reach out to the tire manufacturers on an individual basis to find new, innovative ways they can reduce the cost of exhibiting at the Expo. All Expo exhibitors are eligible to receive a one-on-one audit of their show plans, which could save exhibitors up to 20% on their show-related spending.”
“Tire manufacturers can now rest assured that they will literally have a ‘seat at the table’ when it comes to all aspects of the Global Tire Expo Powered by TIA. Their concerns will receive the timely attention they deserve, and, what is even more exciting, is the fact that they will no longer just be exhibitors – they will be true partners in this event," said TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield.
The 2010 SEMA Show and Global Tire Expo will be held Nov. 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Tire industry companies looking for exhibition space in the new Expo should visit www.semashow.com. Attendee registration is expected to open in April.
