Global Tire Expo features expanded array of educational sessions

A full slate of environmentally focused programs, called the Green @ Noon series, is being presented by the Tire Industry Association (TIA) at its Nov. 1-4 Global Tire Expo in Las Vegas.

The midday seminars will focus on issues such as sustainability, environmental best practices, how manufacturers are making the production process more environmentally friendly and the steps that tire retailers can take to get on the green bandwagon.

In order to encourage more retailers to embrace the green movement, TIA will give away a door prize at the end of each Green @ Noon seminar and every attendee will receive a “Lifecycle of the Tire” poster while supplies last. Door prizes include an Apple iPad, an Amazon Kindle and $100 in cash.

Anchoring the line-up are the TPMS at 10 seminars that will cover the new generation of programmable and multi-format replacement sensors, the latest updates on electronic relearn tools and TPMS diagnostic procedures developed by TIA’s team of professional trainers.

Tuesday’s Tires at 2 will once again feature “Successful Tire Dealers Share Their Secrets.”

Wednesday will highlight Jeremiah Wilson of ContactPoint, who will provide attendees with proven strategies to increase the productivity of their sales force, and Thursday will focus on the topic of tire repair, specifically the steps that retailers must take to protect their businesses when repairing tires.

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TUESDAY, NOV. 1

Session
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
TPMS at 10: The World of Programmable and Multi-Format TPMS Replacement SensorsPresenters: Stuart Ferguson, Alligator; Dr. Jean-Christophe Deniau, Continental Automotive Systems U.S.; Steve Norris, Orange Electronic; Carl Wacker, Schrader Electronics; John Rice, 31, Inc. Moderator: Sean MacKinnon, Tire Industry Association Description:Each representative will have the opportunity to discuss their product and how it best serves the needs of the tire dealer when replacing TPMS sensors. With the replacement market constantly growing in the TPMS aftermarket, the need has never been greater to understand what is out there to help make TPMS sensor replacement easier for the tire dealer.Session 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Truck Tires at 10: CSA and Truck Tire ServicePresenter: Kevin Rohlwing, Tire Industry Association Description: Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) is the Federal government’s new initiative for improving large truck and bus safety. CSA uses data from roadside inspections, state-reported crashes and the federal motor carrier census to quantify the performance of each fleet in a number of different areas. In addition, drivers are assessed points for violations under CSA so enforcement officers can more easily identify habitual offenders. This seminar will outline the requirements for CSA and explain how they relate to the commercial truck tire service industry.Session:
Noon-1 p.m.
Green @ Noon: Part 1: Sustainable Tire, Battery and Automotive Shops Presenter: John Sheerin, Bridgestone Retail Operations Moderator: Dick Gust, Liberty Tire Description: “Sustainability” is now a common buzz word. But what exactly does it mean? Many companies have “sustainability initiatives.” It is now used to identify superior environmental performance, but it means more than that. How does this concept intersect with the retail tire, battery, automotive service sector, and what should you do about it? Going beyond simple compliance with laws, sustainability takes a long-term view past the boundaries of our own operations. A high level view of what sustainability is about will help your businesses go from reactive to proactive, so you can be ready for the future.PAGE 3

Session:
Noon-1 p.m.
Green @ Noon: Part 2: Environmental Best Practices for the Tire, Battery and Automotive Dealer

It’s no longer “Are my shops and services environmentally regulated?” It’s how tire dealers effectively and economically deal with the regulations that matter. A well-organized and clearly articulated best management practices program will allow them to stay in compliance, avoid fines and create an improved environmental image, which may be the competitive differentiator they’re looking for.

Session:
2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Tires at 2: Successful Tire Dealers Share Their Secrets

The longest-running seminar in history of tire industry conventions returns with a new group of presentations. The speakers will give a short presentation on what they believe has led to their success, then they will participate in a panel discussion with the audience. It’s been an amazing free exchange of ideas among tire dealers for decades and judging from last year’s edition, this new format is ready to set the tone for the successful tire dealer franchise for years to come.

Session:
4 p.m.-5p.m.
Management at 4: Understanding Health Care Reform

Presenter: Matt Esposito, FNA; Phil Muller, Trade Insurance Brokerage, Inc. Moderator: Kevin Rohlwing, Tire Industry Association Description: This panel of insurance experts will outline the main requirements for employers under the new health care reform law. Following the summary of the legislation, the panel will explain several approaches that employers can select to comply with the regulations. Specifically, they will address limited medical indemnity insurance plans to demonstrate how employers and employees can control their health care costs. Various options of coverage and choices will be discussed along with data and statistics relating to why indemnity plans work.PAGE 4

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 2

Session:
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
TPMS at 10: TPMS Tools of the TradePresenters: Ermald Muca, ATEQ Corp; Scot Holloway, Bartec USA; Andy Forsberg, SPX Service Solutions Moderator: Sean MacKinnon, Tire Industry Association Description: The representatives will discuss their latest offerings and how these products can help the tire dealer service vehicles equipped with TPMS. With close to 30 million sensors needing replacement in the next two years, tire dealers need to know what products are required to service the TPMS on these vehicles quickly and with confidence.Session:
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Truck Tires at 10: The Future of Emergency Road Service
Presenter: Kevin Rohlwing, Tire Industry Association Description: Up until recently, commercial tire dealers who provide emergency road service have been focused on tire work. With the new CSA regulations in place, there is an increased need for additional types of roadside repairs that may create new profit centers. This seminar will focus on the types of light mechanical repairs that truck tire technicians should be able to perform with some additional training, tools and equipment.Session:
Noon-1 p.m.
Green @ Noon: Tire Manufacturers Going Green
Presenter: Julie K. Porter, Bridgestone; Mark Cherveny, Goodyear
Description: The session will focus on what manufacturers are doing “inside the tire” to make them more environmentally friendly.

PAGE 5Session: 2 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Tires at 2: Managing the Excellence in Your Sales Force Presenter: Jeremiah Wilson Moderator: Kevin Rohlwing, Tire Industry Association Description: Managing excellence can be a daunting task for managers and owners. Luckily there are principles that will make perfecting this art more efficient. During this presentation, managers and owners will be engaged in a dialogue that will improve their perspective on managing, so they can encourage more success. This session will cover talking points like what to expect over the phone, establishing relationships and building value. Valuable strategies to help sales people ask for the business and identify the traits of blind managers who stand in their way will also be discussed.Session:
2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Management at 4: What Women Want Presenter: Jody DeVere, CEO, AskPatty.com Moderator: Kevin Rohlwing, Tire Industry Association Description: Women are just as passionate about the cars they drive as men are, and they are equally capable of making purchasing decisions from local automotive service providers. By creating an experience that has the “wow” effect on women, retailers can increase market share, drive return on investment and differentiate themselves from their competitors. This seminar will help attendees learn how to create a culture and experience that attracts and retains loyal women customers.

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THURSDAY, NOV. 3

Session:
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
TPMS at 10: TPMS Diagnostics Presenters: Matthew White and Sean MacKinnon, Tire Industry Association Description: They will be conducting a seminar on TPMS diagnostics, focusing on TPMS troubleshooting and diagnostic skills that help the tire dealer gain the confidence to begin turning TPMS lights into profit.Session:
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Green @ Noon: What Dealers are doing to “Green” Their Tire Business? Presenters: Matt Curry, Curry Auto; Rod Enlow, Coordinating Committee for Automotive Repair (CCAR) Moderator: Dick Gust, Liberty Tire Description: “Green” is here to stay. And smart tire dealers are implementing concepts to make being eco-friendly an effective and financially viable endeavor. In this forum, attendees will have an opportunity to hear from three representatives representing a large, national retailer, a tire manufacturer, and an independent tire dealer on how they are making “green” work for them. There will also be a question and answer period, so attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions pertaining to their business. Attendees will also learn how to make environmental sustainability a practical and profitable reality, and get the jump on your competition.Session:
2 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
Tires at 2: Repair the Tire, or Fix the Flat?
Presenters: Dan Zielinski and Tracey Norberg of the Rubber Manufacturers Association; Brian Laughlin, Tech International
Panel: Bob Hendry, 31, Inc.; Dave Walworth, Rema Tip Top; Phil Nigh, Elgi Rubber; Robbie Bushnell, Patch Rubber
Moderator: Kevin Rohlwing, Tire Industry Association
Description: When a foreign object penetrates a tire and causes air to leak, there are a number of different guidelines that must be considered before attempting to stop the loss of air. This seminar will outline the various repair limitations for passenger and light truck tires, so attendees have a better understanding of what is and is not repairable. Following the presentation, industry experts will participate in a panel discussion regarding the state of tire repair and the recommended practices that service providers should follow.
Session:
4 p.m.-5 p.m.
Management at 4: When Will You Be “Finished?”
Presenter: Roger McManus, small business consultant and author, Ensanity Press
Moderator: Kevin Rohlwing, Tire Industry Association
Description: Too many business owners are caught up in running their operations to stop and think about their ultimate goal. Is owning the business a family asset or a job? If a tire dealer wants to own an asset (much more valuable than a job), what does it look like when it is complete, in other words, finished? This session will provide attendees with an insightful examination of the true purpose for owning a business and where it might lead them. It will also help owners refocus their attention on how to achieve what all true entrepreneurs want from their businesses: freedom!
For more information, visit www.tireindustry.org.