LAS VEGAS (Dec. 3, 2002) — The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)/International Tire Expo (ITE) show set a new record of 5,504 tire industry buyers in November in Las Vegas, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) reported.
The last record was set in 1999, when 5,099 buyers attended the annual event, which is part of the massive Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week trade shows in Las Vegas that also include the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo show.
Of this year's attendees, 4,033 were tire and wheel dealers and 1,207 were tire and wheel wholesale distributors, according to Reston, Va.-based TIA. The attendance figures include professionals with buying authority in their company. More than 130 tire industry companies had exhibits at the ITE, but they are not counted in the final tally.
"This was the first event for the newly merged TIA, and it was a great success," said TIA President Tom Raben in a written statement.