AKRON—An Advisory Council made up of 14 respected tire and automotive service professionals is helping to develop the educational program for the International Tire Exhibition & Conference (ITEC)—Tire Dealers/Auto Service Show, which will take place Aug. 20-22, 2014, in Orlando, Fla.
These industry leaders will offer their input to assist ITEC Conference Chairman Ray Evans and Vice Chairman Hank Inman in planning the educational portion of the three-day event, which includes more than 45 seminars and panel discussions.
“I am excited about the caliber and breadth of expertise of the Advisory Council,” Mr. Evans said. “Each member has demonstrated leadership in our industry. Between them we are tapping experience in management of independent and franchise tire dealerships, auto service shops, fleet and commercial tire operations, as well as creating successful marketing strategies.
“I am especially pleased that, just as ITEC draws exhibitors and attendees from around the world, our Advisory Council encompasses members with experience in the United States, Canada and Latin America.”
The new members of the ITEC Tire Dealers/Auto Service Advisory Council are:
c Joe Flynn III, president of Flynn's Tire Group, an independent dealership with 27 retail, commercial and wholesale locations in Pennsylvania, Ohio and New York;
c Brad Schmucker, president of Millersburg Tire Service, East Millersburg, Ohio, specializing in agricultural and commercial tires;
c Gus Lima, CEO of Latin Expo Group, Oriente Triangle Latin America and Grupo Sailun Tire Latin America;
c Kelley O'Reilly, assistant professor of marketing at Western Michigan University and a former Big O Tires marketing executive;
c Pam Oakes, owner of Pam's Motor City Tire & Auto, Fort Myers, Fla., the author of two books on auto care and the host of a national radio show on car care;
c Bob Rick, director of operations for Zafco International L.L.C., the Doral, Fla.-based subsidiary of Zafco Trading L.L.C.;
c Chris “Chubby” Frederick, CEO of Automotive Training Institute;
c Michael McGee, president of McGee Tire Stores, an independent tire dealership chain of 26 tire and automotive service shops in Florida; and
c Kevin Kormondy, executive vice president-COO of Big O Tires L.L.C.
Returning Advisory Council members are:
c Paul Hyatt, retired chairman of Superior Tire & Auto Inc. in Scarborough, Ontario, and a past TIA president;
c Ron Lautzenheiser, owner of Big O Tires and Grease Monkey franchises in Colorado and a former TIA board member;
c Stu Zurcher, owner of Strategic Alliance Group, a “20-group” that targets commercial tire dealers, and a past TIA board member;
c Peggy Fisher, president of a tire data analytics company, TireStamp, Inc. and a past TIA president.
The council will include one additional member, yet to be named.
“The Advisory Council is a key element to the success of the conference,” Mr. Evans said. “Our goal is to develop an education program that focuses on the issues and topics that are relevant to today's tire and automotive service professionals and help them generate improved profitability.”
The 2014 ITEC Tire Dealers/Auto Service Show in Orlando marks the first time the Tire Dealers/Auto Service side of the conference has been held apart from the ITEC tire manufacturing conference. It also is the first time the event is being held outside of Ohio.
The show will take place at the Caribe Royale Hotel in Orlando, an all-suite hotel and conference center, where the exhibit and educational programs will also take place.
“This is the first time the exhibit, seminars and hotel rooms will all be together on the same property, allowing for enhanced networking and convenience,” Mr. Evans said.
Additionally, the hotel is located close to Walt Disney World and other Orlando theme parks for attendees wanting to bring their families.
“ITEC 2014 will be packed with fresh, focused programs aimed at helping tire dealers and auto service pros increase profitability and keep their business growing, even in today's challenging marketplace,” Mr. Evans said. “Given the experience, expertise and enthusiasm of our Advisory Council, I am confident every attendee will take back to their business many ideas that immediately will generate positive results.”
For more on the 2014 ITEC Tire Dealers/Auto Service Show, visit the conference website: www.itec-tireshow.com.