RESTON, Va.—The Tire Association of North America has opened registration for the International Tire Exposition, to be held Nov. 2-5 in Las Vegas, and has released the show's seminar schedule. The show will offer new tire industry seminars, all of which will be held in the Las Vegas Convention Center, new exhibitors and a 40-percent increase in floor space to 140,000 square feet. The 1998 show boasted 100,000 square feet of exhibit space in the newly renovated Convention Center.
Already, a record 92 percent of exhibit space has been sold out as of July 9, TANA said. Booth space also has expanded from 1998.
Last year, exhibitors averaged 372 square feet in exhibit space, while this year's exhibitors are reserving an average of 442 square feet.
Some new exhibitors for 1999 include Adventure Tire of Miami; Airtech USA of West Union, S.C.; Big O Tires Inc. of Englewood, Colo.; Pro-Cut International of West Lebanon, N.H.; Smithers Scientific Services of Akron; Tire Kingdom International of Riviera Beach, Fla.; Tire Master Software of Eagle, Idaho; Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems of Santa Ana, Calif.; and Tread Seal International of Martindale, Texas.
All seminars will be held in the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Individuals interested in attending ITE can receive show and hotel registration forms by calling TANA's fax-on-demand service at (888) 889-7391 and requesting document 199, or via the Web site www.tana.net. Registration is $10.
TANA's headquarters hotel will be Harrah's.
Topics and speakers are:
Tuesday, Nov. 2:
``Improving Retail Tire Store Bottom-line Profits''—Norm Gaither, a consultant with Norm Gaither & Associates, will discuss how tire dealers can improve their bottom-line profits by an additional 5 percent; avoid "price wars" with the competition; improve profits with fewer sales; and adjust their payrolls to improve the bottom line.
``Creating & Managing a Successful Retail Tire Advertising Campaign''—presented by Alan Middleton, president of Middleton and Associates, an advertising agency specializing in market consultation, media scheduling and product marketing for firms in the automotive aftermarket.
``Crossing the Gender Communication Gap''—Joanna Slan will discuss how to communicate with both genders and why sales techniques should differ for male and female customers. Ms. Slan is co-author of four books, a communications professor, a television show host and a speech writer for DaimlerChrysler.
``Performance Management for Tire Retailers''—this seminar, presented by Leigh Bisaro of K&L Consulting, will focus on addressing performance issues and how to empower employees to work harder and effectively.
``Understanding the Technology of Tires: From basic structure to the latest innovations''—by Mike Hochschwender of Smithers Scientific Services Inc.
Wednesday, Nov. 3:
``Selecting Your Marketing Medium''—presented by Rene Gnam of Rene Gnam Consultation Corp., who provides marketing and advertising services to Norelco, General Motors Corp and McGraw Hill.
``Visual Tire Merchandising Ideas for Less than $50''—Brian Dyches, president of Retail Resource Group, will discuss why giving your showroom/store an individual personality is so important in today's big-box, chain-oriented marketplace. Mr. Dyches specializes in retail marketing strategies.
``Online Business Basics: How to Get Your Tire Business on the Internet''—by Craig Broadbent of Okidata.
``Winning Strategies for Tire Retailers: Successful Tire Dealers Teach the Secret of Sales''—by Smithers Scientific Services.
Thursday, Nov. 4:
"The Retail Counterperson''—John Olds, director of special projects at Northwestern College, will focus on recruiting and retaining a quality sales staff; developing procedural and training manuals; and managing your counter sales staff.
"How to Evaluate Your Store's Retail Image & Function''—by Brian Dyches.
"Building Customer Respect: Strategies for Tire Retailers''—this seminar by Eddy Kay, president of the Eddy Kay Group, a sales and management training firm, teaches tire dealers how to beat the "cheapest price" mentality and create loyal customers and repeat sales.
"Finding and Retaining Quality Employees In Today's Red-Hot Job Market''—by Smithers Scientific Services.
"Saving Time and Money Buying Automotive Parts on the Internet''—Stephan Karczag of Rapid AutoNet Corp. will teach dealers how to use the Internet to buy less and sell for more than the competition.