Crain News Service report
AKRON (Aug. 26, 2014) — The International Tire Exhibition and Conference for Tire Manufacturing (ITEC) is returning to its roots in Akron.
ITEC 2014 is scheduled for Sept. 9-11 at the John S. Knight Center in Akron. The show—organized by Rubber & Plastics News, an Akron-based sister publication of Tire Business—originated at that site in 1994 and was held there every other year until 2010. For that year and 2012, ITEC was moved to Cleveland and expanded to include programs and exhibits of interest to independent tire dealers.
But for 2014, ITEC was split into two shows, with the one that focused strictly on tire manufacturing topics returning to Akron and the one for dealers held last week in Orlando, Fla.
“Our return to no-nonsense Akron symbolizes ITEC's desire to stay true to our mission of servicing the innovation needs of tire manufacturers with cutting edge proposals that have early application potential,” said Harold Herzlich, ITEC conference chairman and technical editor of Rubber & Plastics News. “The program includes the availability of a range of selected experts who can offer our delegates a rare opportunity to ethically discuss ways to improve the performance and profitability of their products or operations.”
ITEC combines both a technical program touting more than 50 original papers—with as many as three technical sessions scheduled at a given time—and a nearly sold out expo floor featuring more than 100 exhibitors representing every area of the tire industry.
Mr. Herzlich said the technical papers represent the “intended eclectic nature” of the meeting. “The triple session schedule will require good planning and coordination if you want to capture opportunities in your immediate field as well as opportunities you can convey to others in your company.”
The opening day on Sept. 9 will begin with a keynote address from Michael Hochschwender, president and CEO of Smithers Group. His address will be in conjunction with the Tire Society, which is holding its annual meeting along with ITEC at the John S. Knight Center from Sept. 8-10.
That day will close with a networking reception at the ITEC Exhibit Hall to give attendees an additional opportunity to meet with exhibitors.
The second day will open with a keynote address from James Hawk, chairman of Toyo Tire Holdings America Inc. and president of Toyo Tire North America, the unit's U.S. manufacturing plant in White, Ga. Mr. Hawk was RPN's 2013 Rubber Industry Executive of the year.
Technical sessions that day will include a forensic tire peer review, a bio elastomer challenge and a recycling workshop. The evening will close with a banquet—available to registrants for an additional cost—to present Bernhard Bluemich of Aachen University in Germany with the Harold Herzlich Distinguished Technology Achievement Award.
The final day will include a half-day of technical presentations and a final chance to visit the expo.
In addition, lunch will be served for free each day of ITEC, along with prize drawings each morning and afternoon.
Admission to the expo is free. Registration for the conference is $350 for tire manufacturers and $600 for suppliers.
There is also a joint registration price for those interested in attending both ITEC and the Tire Society meeting.
For more information on ITEC or to register, visit www.itec-tireshow.com.
This report appeared on the website of Rubber & Plastics News.