Should the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association convention and trade show be combined with that of the American Retreaders Association and other groups to form a tire-rubber industry week event?
`Yes. I haven't missed an NTDRA convention in 20 years. But there's no upbeat spirit here, and it's getting too expensive (to attend) for what we're getting out of it. I came prepared to buy 2,000 tires, but can't find anyone here from the tire companies who's willing to (do business). They all say, ``Leave your card and we'll get back to you.'' But since they went to the expense of exhibiting, you'd think they would have somebody here with the authority to quote a price.'
Eddie W. Winn
Texas Tire & Tube Inc.
Amarillo, Texas
`Yes. This show used to be four times larger than it appears today. It has become too expensive for dealers to attend and for manufacturers to exhibit. As a result, fewer people are attending it and many suppliers have had to reduce the size of their booths or or quit exhibiting altogether.'
Ralph L. Wirz Jr.
Munroe Falls, Ohio
`No. I was persuaded, but then I changed my mind. A combined show might be too crowded. You might have so many people standing in line at a booth you'd never get to talk with anyone. I understand suppliers' point (in wanting a combined show), but they might find they get the quantity of contacts, but not the quality.'
Ron Cowley
River Falls Tire Co.
River Falls, Wis.
`Yes. Competition and pressure from the exhibitors will force (the convention planners) to consolidate these shows. However, it seems questionable whether exhibitors would pay enough to participate in a combined show to compensate both associations for the revenue lost in giving up their individual shows. There are lots of such questions involved.*.*.*, and I don't have the answers. Nevertheless, the associations need to be considerate of the expense to exhibitors in having to exhibit at two separate national shows.
Donald L. Jones
`Yes. However, it's questionable whether exhibitors would be willing to pay enough (to exhibit at a combined show to fund two or more trade associations). It might be necessary to increase the dues paid by association members as a result. If the shows are combined, planners need to consider the cost and burden of exhibiting at an `Industry Week,' as some have suggested. Even five days may be too many. How can you expect companies to man an exhibit for that long?'
John C. Thurston
`Yes. SEMA is eating our lunch (in the amount of space devoted to tires and tire service equipment), and both shows (NTDRA and ARA) seem to be getting smaller. We need a truly international tire show whose schedule does not conflict with SEMA. We-not the Europeans-should be hosting the world's No. 1 tire show. But that can't happen while there are two competing trade shows here.'
Wes Sprunk
Tire Service Equipment Manufacturing Co.
Phoenix, Ariz.
`Yes. Having to take part in two or more tire trade shows is too costly for exhibitors and attendees alike. I also think a combined NTDRA and ARA show would attract more attendees from other countries as well.'
Walmor S. Parenza
Foreign trade agent
Porto Alegre, Brazil
`This is my fourth NTDRA show, even though getting here from Guyana can require as much as seven days' travel. I would find a combined NTDRA-ARA show beneficial since we (are a retreader) and also handle more than 40 brands of new tires. I think a combined show would attract more people from outside North America. After all, the tire business is becoming more global every year.'
Ron Persaud
Action Tyre
Stabroek, Guyana
`I think one big show would be better-more people. I look at the name-National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association-and I think, `There has to be wholesalers too.' But there are not many (on the show floor). . . . There are firsts in life. This is my first (NTDRA show), and I think this will be my only one.'
Romano Polini
Ropolar Co.
Caracas, Venezuela
`I don't know. There's been a lot of excitement here (at our booth). We've done a lot of business. . . . We've done better here than we did at SEMA (last year).'
Juan F. Mora
JS Products Inc.
Las Vegas
`We need to find ways to build this show (NTDRA) into a show for tire dealers and retreaders. You've got to get the show so exciting that every big dealer wants to come and bring his store managers. To feel that he can't afford to be away. . . . There's no question ARA and NTDRA have to get together. You've got to change with the times.'
Don Olson (retired)
Don Olson Tire
Clearwater, Fla.
`Yes. And while we don't exhibit at the ARA show, we do at the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week show in Las Vegas. You have to be there if you expect to be a factor in the automotive industry. This (NTDRA) is an installer show, whereas we go there (AAIW) to mix and deal with our distributors and national accounts.''
James E. Clayton
Clayton Associates Inc.
Lakewood, N.J.
`Yes. And the associations need to hold these shows in places more economical for dealers and exhibitors. (Conventions and trade shows) have priced themselves out of the market by going to resort towns. Many dealers can't afford (meetings in) places where the meals average $30 or more per person.' (Photo not available.)
Jerry White
White Tire Supply
Beaumont, Texas