SEMA Member News - September/October 2010
TIA: Working for the Tire Industry
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One of TIA’s special events during SEMA Week is the welcome reception. It’s widely considered to be one of the best events of the week. |
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For more than 80 years, TIA has been representing all segments of the tire industry, including those that manufacture, repair, recycle, sell, service or use new or retreaded tires as well as suppliers or individuals who furnish equipment, material or services to the industry. TIA provides its members with innovative member programs that provide discounts on a wide variety of services, such as package shipping, insurance, sales training and more. The association provides strong representation of its members on Capitol Hill as well as in state legislatures, and it has an award-winning, four-color member magazine, Today’s Tire Industry, which keeps members abreast of the latest developments in both the association and the tire industry.
TIA is perhaps best known for its world-class tire service training. From training and certification for experienced employees to basic training for new hires, TIA offers programs that can be utilized by large and small companies throughout the tire industry. TIA also offers a wide range of reference materials and training aids to allow members to customize their training to meet their needs. More than 50,000 tire service technicians from around the world have gone through TIA training, and most in the industry consider TIA’s training programs to be among the best.
Those who have attended the SEMA Show have no doubt seen the giant TIA sign hanging outside the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. It reflects the fact that TIA is the host of the newly created Global Tire Expo–Powered by TIA area. It’s a tire industry-focused part of the SEMA Show that is open to all sectors of the tire industry from automotive to commercial to retreading to recycling and more. The Expo features an expanded educational session track: TPMS at 10, Truck Tires at 10, Tires at 2 and Management at 4. Each day, SEMA Show participants will be able to attend sessions that don’t just cover the same old topics you’ve heard dozens of times before, given by people who either don’t really know the subject or who are out of touch. These are sessions you’ll want to attend, given by the top experts in
the world.
Anyone who has been to TIA’s special events as part of the SEMA Show knows that the word “special” does not seem to be enough to describe them. They’re where everyone in the tire industry comes to socialize, network and pay tribute to the giants of the tire industry. This year, the host hotel is Paris Las Vegas, and the events there include:
- Wine & Cheese Social, Paris Hotel, Monday, November 1, 5:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m.: Enjoy sumptuous cheeses and fine wine at this delightful event. Open to all SEMA Show attendees.
- Tire Industry Honors, Paris Hotel, Monday, November 1, 6:00 p.m.–7:30 p.m.: If you were at last year’s inaugural Tire Industry Honors, you know how moving and memorable it was. This year promises to be just as compelling. Please join us as we honor the 2010 inductees into the Tire Industry Hall of Fame and celebrate the passing of the TIA presidency from Wayne Croswell to Mike Berra. In addition, Tire Business, Tire Review and Modern Tire Dealer will return to participate in this event. Tire Business will present its Tire Dealer Humanitarian award; Tire Review will present its Top Shop award; and Modern Tire Dealer will honor the outgoing TIA president. Admission is complimentary; however, an RSVP is required. To respond, visit the “Events” section of www.tireindustry.org or contact 800/876-8372, ext. 104.
- Welcome Reception, Les Artistes Steakhouse, Paris Hotel, Monday, November 1, 7:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.:
This is the tire industry networking event of the week! Boasting an opulent, multilevel setting and a gourmet menu, Les Artistes Steakhouse gives you the opportunity to enjoy a fabulous meal in one of the most beautiful dining rooms in Las Vegas. If you want to network, meet old acquaintances and connect with important business contacts while enjoying first-rate food, drinks and entertainment, then this is the “must-attend” event of the week! Tickets are $50 per person. To order, visit the “Events” section of www.tireindustry.org or call 800/876-8372 x104.
But, TIA has more than just the Expo. It has also created the first-ever TIA Environmental Symposium, which will take place September 30–October 2, 2010, at the Ocean City Convention Center in Ocean City, Maryland. Held in conjunction with events sponsored by the Washington, Maryland & Delaware Service Station and Automotive Repair Association, the Chesapeake Automotive Business Association and the Service Station Dealers of America, this event captures TIA’s commitment to sustainable practices with a strong educational program, exhibits and networking opportunities to help companies incorporate sustainable green practices into their facilities and operations. It’s packed with sessions that will not only help you begin the process of “going green” but also offer the chance to learn how to do it efficiently and in a cost-effective manner.
As you can see, TIA is hard at work for the betterment of the tire industry. If you are interested in joining TIA, visit the “Become a Member” section of www.tireindustry.org, or call 800/876-8372.