Clemson Conference focus: industry's future

HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.  (Feb. 23, 2017) — The future of the tire industry will be the focus of the Clemson University Global Tire Industry Conference, scheduled for April 19-21 at Hilton Head.

Topics during the conference will include: "Preparing Tires for the Future"; "The Next Generation of Tire Simulation Tech"; "Future Shock: Vehicle Transportation"; "Autonomous Vehicles & Their Tire Needs"; "Innovation & Mobility"; and "Thoughts for the Future," according to the Clemson Center for Corporate Learning, which organizes the conference.

A highlight of the conference will be the morning session April 20, which will include presentations on innovation and mobility by officials from Goodyear, Bridgestone Americas, Michelin North America Inc., Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., and Continental Tire the Americas L.L.C.

Other speakers will include:

• Anne Forristall Luke, president and CEO of the Rubber Manufacturers Association, on "The Latest Highway Legislation and What It Means to the Tire Industry";

• Maureen Kline, vice president, public affairs and sustainability, Pirelli Tire North America, on "Sustainability in the Tire Industry"; and

• Daniel Swiger, CEO of Kultevat Inc., on "Developing a 'New' Natural Rubber from Dandelions."

Richard Smallwood, president and CEO of Sumitomo Rubber North America, will be the keynote speaker April 20, as previously announced.

To register for the conference and reserve hotel rooms, go to clemsontireconference.com