NEW ORLEANS, La.-Factors likely to influence the success of independent tire dealers in the coming century will be the focus of a panel of tire company executives Oct. 13, during a special general session of the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association convention in New Orleans. Members of the discussion panel include: John T. Lampe, president of Bridgestone/Firestone Tire Sales Co.; Chris Dickson, vice president of replacement sales for Continental General Tire; John Fahl, president of tire operations for Cooper Tire & Rubber Co.; Edward F. Gallagher, vice president of sales for Goodyear; Hubert Hannezo, executive vice president, marketing and sales, for Michelin North America.
The discussions will be moderated by Pamela A. Fitzgerald of Mike Gatto Inc. in Melbourne, Fla., who chairs the NTDRA executive committee.
Among the factors to be examined by the panel will be:
The effects of currently developing consumer trends on the marketing position held by independent tire dealers;
Significant changes that independents may expect in the supply and distribution of tires and their expected impact on tire dealers' business operations; and
How anticipated changes in tire technology will affect the tire dealer's strategy in merchandising tires profitably.
The session will take place Friday morning immediately after the association's ``Breakfast with the President.''
Admission will be free to everyone registered at the Oct. 14-17 convention.
Association officials say that advanced registration by dealers for the New Orleans event has been running at nearly twice the rate of last year's convention in Dallas, which drew an estimated 7,000 attendees.