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.”