"When we began the event in 1994, we had a small, targeted audience - primarily tire manufacturers - and it was a technical conference," recounts Bob Simmons, ITEC's executive director. "However, last year we decided to include retailers - dealers, wholesalers and distributors - to complement the technical side and make it a truly all-encompassing tire show."
Elements include a special emphasis on sales; marketing; tire design, development and manufacturing; plus tire distribution, reuse and recycling.
Simmonds says attendees can expect "a serious, working show environment that will educate and motivate all participants with a content-rich conference program (and) networking opportunities under one roof in the I-X Center's world-class exhibit floor and break-out session meeting rooms."The site is gargantuan. Prior to its conversion into a convention center, the facility was known locally as "the tank plant" based on its role in producing armored vehicles and large bomber aircraft during World War II. It is located next to Cleveland Hopkins Airport.
"Northeast Ohio has been the worldwide home of the tire industry for many years," notes Robert Peterson, the I-X Center's president, "and we are proud to be an extension of that recognition."
ITEC) has enlisted eight industry veterans to help develop an extensive aftermarket/distribution education program.
"These individuals who form our advisory council are key to the success of the exhibition," says Ray Evans, chairman of the distribution component of the conference. "With that information, we are creating a curriculum that promises to be ‘hands-on.' These learning sessions will deal with rising costs of conducting business, new government regulations, the Internet and many more topics."
Members of the dealer advisory council include: Ross Kogel Jr., president of Tire Wholesalers, Inc. in Troy, Mich.; Ron Lautzenheiser, owner of two Big O Tire stores and two Grease Monkey franchises, Ft. Collins, Colo.; Steve Disney, consultant, Louisville, Ky.; Dennis Leipold, owner/president, Leipold Tire, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio; Peggy Fisher, president, TireStamp Corp., U.S. headquarters in Troy, Mich.; David Cosco, chairman, Integra Tire, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Paul Hyatt, owner, Superior Tire, Scarborough, Ontario, Canada and past-president of the Tire Industry Association (TIA); and Craig Knarich, owner of Pit Crew Tire, Palm Harbor, Fla.
ITEC also will include its traditional manufacturing-oriented program activities chaired by Harold Herzlich, former director of tire engineering and product safety at Pirelli Armstrong Tire and ITEC's conference chairman since 1994.
Participating exhibitors are presenting numerous special events throughout the expo. Toyo, for example, is sponsoring an invitation-only soiree - featuring live music by the Spazmatics – at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.
For more information, visit www.itec-tireshow.com.
