The association’s program has changed considerably from past years, with the elimination of the annual Breakfast with the President and the addition of three other unique events.
Moving back to Caesars Palace after a one-year absence, TIA will host a number of events there and has arranged a special hotel room rate for TIA members of $170/night for Sunday through Thursday), and $189/night for Friday and Saturday.
New to the schedule is TIA’s Wine & Cheese Social and Tire Industry Honors events, both of which will take place at Caesars Palace on Monday, Nov. 2.
The Wine & Cheese Social will start at 5 p.m. and admission is free for all SEMA Show attendees.
Immediately following the Social – from 6 to 7:30 p.m. – will be the first Tire Industry Honors, a new event that will honor this year’s Tire Industry Hall of Fame recipients and the installation of incoming TIA president Wayne Croswell. Sponsored by all three industry publications, the Tire Industry Honors event will also see the publications deliver their own awards, including the formal presentation of the 2009 Tire Review Top Shop Award winner.
Tire Industry Honors is also a free event open top all show attendees, but TIA requests RSVPs.
Following those two events, TIA will host its annual Welcome Reception at Rao’s at Caesars. Tickets are $50 per person, and can be ordered by visiting the "Events" section of www.tireindustry.org, or by calling 800.876.8372, ext. 104.
Also new is the International Roundtable on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Moderated by TRIB managing director Harvey Brodsky, the International Roundtable will discuss Best Practices in the Tire Industry & International Review of Industry Regulations, and will feature discussion on tire service, retreading/repairing and commercial tire service practices from around the world.
TIA’s Tires at Two will continue as they have in past years, with seminars Successful Tire Dealers Share Their Secrets, led by Tom Wright and Dennis Bucher; Effectively Communicating TPMS Training/Developments to Techs, presented by TIA director of automotive development Sean MacKinnon; and TPMS Repair Tool Manufacturer Update, also led by MacKinnon.
"We’re very excited about our events at this year’s TWE/SEMA," said TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield. "We believe that last year’s trend will continue – we expect more ‘decision makers’ in attendance. TWE is still one of the best venues in the world for those in the tire industry to network, see the latest technology in the industry and make important buying decisions." (Tire Review/Akron)
