SEMA, TIA Take The Wraps Off New ‘Tire Industry Only’ Expo
By Gary Molinaro | April 28th, 2010 | Category: Service Executive News | No Comments »The Tires, Wheels & Equipment section of the SEMA Show has been eliminated. In its place will be the newly-created Global Tire Expo – Powered by TIA, which is being billed as a “tire industry only” part of the SEMA Show. Only those in the tire industry will be permitted to exhibit, and it will be open to all segments of the tire industry, including automotive, commercial, retreading, recycling and more. And, to help reinforce its “tires only” focus, the expo will have its own branding, entrance units and color scheme.
The new Global Tire Expo is the end result of a joint effort on the part of SEMA and TIA (the Tire Industry Association) that launched late last year. The groups’ goal was to provide the tire industry with greater value at the SEMA Show. It was a response to problems that had developed over the years.
In a recent open letter to the tire industry, TIA Executive Vice President Roy Littlefield wrote: “Unfortunately, between the drastic downturn in the global economy and some complacency on the part of TIA and SEMA, some of you may feel that the show might have lost its way. For that, on behalf of TIA, I want to personally apologize. But, I am also taking this opportunity to tell you that both TIA and SEMA have listened and we have made some major, substantive and exciting changes that we believe should give you cause to ‘come home’ this year.”
Among the changes is the placement of a TIA representative on the SEMA Show Committee, as well as the SEMA Tire & Wheel Council. “If you felt as though your voice was not heard by show officials in the past, you can now rest assured that it will be heard from here on out,” Littlefield wrote in his letter.
Additionally, tire manufacturers’ booths at the new Global Tire Expo will be placed in the center in an attempt to provide a greater level of prominence. The expo also will include expanded educational session tracks targeted to the tire market.
“Tire manufacturers can now rest assured that they will literally have a ‘seat at the table’ when it comes to all aspects of the Global Tire Expo – Powered by TIA,” Littlefield said in a statement announcing the new expo. “Their concerns will receive the timely attention they deserve, and, what is even more exciting, is the fact that they will no longer just be exhibitors. They will be true partners in this event.”
“By working with TIA, we have created the Global Tire Expo to meet the needs of the tire industry,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “We’re excited and confident that the 2010 SEMA Show and the Global Tire Expo will be more meaningful and relevant than ever before for tire manufacturers and buyers.”
Kersting also pointed out that the SEMA Show has the added benefit of drawing more than 50,000 buyers from all over the world, including those not currently in the tire market. “Many buyers at the SEMA Show are looking to expand their product lines to include tire-related products,” he explained. “The dedicated floor section and the other new programs will help buyers discover the potential that the tire industry has to offer.”
The 2010 SEMA Show will be held Nov. 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
