TIA Sets Seven Education Sessions for Upcoming Global Tire Expo

TIA has set its educational track for the upcoming SEMA Show/Global Tire Expo, which will be held Oct. 30-Nov. 2 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The association reminds that online registration remains open at its website at tireindustry.org. The Cosmopolitan hotel will again serve as TIA’s host hotel and also is accepting reservations from TIA’s website.

While the individual rooms at the LVCC for these seminars have not been set, TIA will continue with its well-attended Tires@2 (held at 2 p.m. on each of three days), TPMS@10 (held at 10 a.m. on two days) and Truck Tires@10 (held at 10 a.m. on two days) sessions. The day-to-day schedule includes:

Tuesday, Oct. 30

• TPMS@10 – TPMS Best Practices: A Town Hall Meeting – Speakers: 31 Inc., Ateq, Bartec, Continental, Dill, Pacific, Schrader, Tiremetrix, and TRW. “With more and more vehicles entering service locations requiring TPMS service, the need has never been greater for the industry to speak in one voice as to how to handle these types of services,” TIA said. “In this seminar we will take attendees through the entire service process and provide them with industry recommended best practices to help standardize how these vehicles are approached. By implementing a standard operating procedure for TPMS, a service center can make sure all technicians and service writers are all on the same page, and this can help turn TPMS service into the profit center it should be. We will also here from some of the manufactures on where this technology is heading and what we can expect in the next few years for the future of TPMS.”

• Truck Tires@10 – CSA Report Card
Speaker: Kevin Rohlwing, TIA vice president of training. “Now that the Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) Program is entering its second full year, we have a much better idea of how is affecting the trucking industry,” TIA explained. “This seminar will briefly explain how CSA works and then focus on how it is changing the way that the tires and wheels on trucks, tractors and trailers are serviced and maintained.”

• Tires@2 – Successful Tire Dealers Share Their Secrets. “Each year, Tire Review and Modern Tire Dealer recognize the nation’s top tire dealers with awards that reflect their contributions to the industry,” TIA said. “The winners of these awards will each make a presentation on those things that have made their businesses successful. Following the presentations, they will participate in an open question and answer period with the audience to share their thoughts on everything from employee retention to the use of social media.”

Wednesday, Oct. 31

• TPMS@10 – TPMS Troubleshooting – Speakers: Sean MacKinnon, TIA director of automotive training development; and Matt White, TIA director of tire service. “Like any form of technology, there are always issues to overcome and prepare for,” TIA said. “Matthew White and Sean MacKinnon will help prepare attendees for some of those issues that make techs scratch their head across the country, and take you through some common issues and help teach some basic troubleshooting tips that turn a problem into a profit.”

• Truck Tires@10 – The Facts on Wide Singles. “The new generation of super wide tires that replaces traditional duals will not be a passing fad,” TIA said. “Besides the reduced weight, fleets are also seeing fuel economy gains that are almost impossible to ignore. This seminar will outline the advantages of wide single tires and then demonstrate how the shift to this new technology will have a significant impact on the tire service and retreading industries.”

• Tires@2 – Profits Seminar – Speaker: Automotive Training Institute. More information pending.

Thursday, Nov. 1

• Tires@2 – Making Customer Service Part of Your Brand – Speaker: Kevin Rohlwing, TIA vice president of training. “Branding is one of the most popular buzzwords in the marketing community and has become so important that companies pay to have their products used in movies and television productions,” TIA said. “The feelings that a brand creates in the minds of the customers also have a direct connection to whether or not they will return or recommend a company to a friend. In competitive industries like tire retailing where the main product is practically a commodity, success often depends on the level of customer service. This workshop will explain how a brand lives and breathes so retailers can make exemplary customer service part of their culture.”