What do you hope to accomplish when attending an industry trade show?
No doubt, in today’s economy, attending a major national trade show is an expense tire dealers are carefully measuring. But regardless of the times, use the comment area below to tell us what you try to accomplish at an industry trade show and what kind of return on your trade show investment do you look
50 State Solution? Add It All Up and the Writing is On the Wall
Three years ago, the RMA was busy crafting and politicking a federalbill on tire fuel efficiency that eventually became part of the 2007Energy Bill. Back in 2005, you’ll recall, gas prices were goingthrough the roof. $2.20, then $2.45, then $2.60. Tires, as always,became the focal point, with consumers looking for ways to save moneywith “better”
In considering TIA and/or your state/provincial tire dealer association, what services do you most value from a dealer association?
National and state/provincial tire dealer associations have a long history of aiding tire dealers large and small. Some dealers especially credit their associations for helping them succeed. But in today’s business and economic climate, what do tire dealers expect from their associations? Whether you’re a member or not, tell us what you think in the
The ‘Cold, Hard Truth’
Of all that I have read on the topic of the ITC 421 “witch-hunt,” your ‘Red, White and Gray’ blog is the best of the best. No BS, no rhetoric, just the facts and cold hard truth. As a major player in this area and still severely handicapped by the last ITC/Titan/Steelworkers bogus attack on
Twitiots & Me: When Old School Editor Goes New School, Bad Things Happen
Twitter I just don’t get. Fact is, the entire “social media” thing escapes me. It’s not media – there is no “news” involved – it’s just a bunch of people socializing…if you can even call it that. I’m an old-school guy. I still read newspapers – what few there are – and have a landline
With Both Feet: Dealers Show Business Success Means Doing Things Differently
Rare is the spring weekend in northeast Ohio with wall-to-wall pleasant temperatures and no rain. So rare that local brides grit their teeth and light votive candles by the score, hoping their dream day doesn’t become a deluge disaster. Indeed, holding a full weekend event in these parts involves more prayer than planning. Little wonder
Killer Instinct: Lessons Dealers Must Learn From an 800-Pound Gorilla
Bill Ihnken thinks the TBC Retail Group can be a “category killer” in the tire and service trade. The 800-pound gorilla that no one can ignore in every town it has a store. To reach that lofty goal, that pinnacle of retailing, the head of TBC Retail Group’s company-owned stores – Tire Kingdom, NTB and
Consumer Education Program Misunderstood
Jim Smith’s Viewpoints on NHTSA’s future consumer tire education program is certainly less hysterical than TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield’s rant published by another trade journal. Unfortunately, Smith misses the point by the same mile. Until tire manufacturers trouble themselves to provide the people who distribute and sell their products with pertinent technical information, no
Agrees to ‘Walk the Talk’
I’m writing to comment on your “Walk the Talk” editorial in the March 2009 issue of Tire Review. Although I agree with nearly all of your monthly editorials, this one gets an A+ and deserves to be read by every person in the tire industry! The points you made ("They need to quit talking about
Daydream Believer: Bruised Brain? Burn Out? What Did I Really Miss?
When the spot came up I really wasn’t paying much attention. I usually tune out when commercials come on, preferring to save my gray matter for more important pursuits. But then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a tire roll up. It wasn’t a commercial for any of the tire companies ‘cause
Walk the Talk: It’s a Golden Opportunity, If We Could Only Get Together
The 2007 Energy Bill is coming home to roost soon. Well, at least the part that has to do with testing and grading tires for rolling resistance, and then teaching consumers about the new UTQG-like scheme and helping them better care for their tires. NHTSA says it intends to meet its year-end deadline and deliver
Loves the Show!
Kudos and hats off to TIA and TMC officials for combining efforts to produce a show venue for the commercial trucking and tire industries. The two go hand in hand. It has been much needed since the demise of the former NTDRA and ARA. I noted that there were a large number of retreaders and