NATRE adds speakers to educational program

NEW ORLEANS (March 13, 2017) — The North American Tire & Retread Expo (NATRE) has added three more seminars to the educational program for its April 19-21 conference and trade show in New Orleans.

The speakers and topics are:

• Kevin Carr, director of the tire division at TravelCenters of America Inc., TA Truck Service Commercial Tire Network, who will speak on "Providing more solutions for the commercial tire marketplace";

• Greg Spence, CEO, and Peter Mikhail, vice president of business development, TreadHunter Inc., who will discuss "Tire selling in an online world"; and

• Alexie Nicolini, president and CEO of Budini Inc., who will share "How an effective tire management program can reduce tire and fuel consumption."

The addition of these programs brings to 18 the number of seminars and panel presentations slated for the three-day conference and trade show, which will take place Wednesday through Friday at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

This year's educational program consists of two tracks, one for retail tire dealers and one for commercial tire dealers and retreaders.

The educational program will run from 9 a.m. to approximately 11 a.m. each day of the show, followed by the trade show, which runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday.

Joseph Saoud, president of Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations' truck, bus and retread tire operations, will keynote the conference and discuss the organization's view of the changing commercial tire landscape and outline how educating audiences on the business case for retreads can keep drivers safe, protect customer cargo, maximize investments and help reduce the industry's long-term impact on the environment.

The conference also will feature two panels: One on tire safety for retail and commercial tire dealerships; the other on issues impacting the retreading, tire repair and casings industries.

In addition, attendees will have the opportunity to visit the trade show all three days, attend an inaugural networking party at B.B. King's Blues Club in New Orleans and check out the best looking retreaded tires in the Miss Retread Beauty Contest.

To see the entire educational program and to register, visit www.usatireexpo.com.

For exhibitor/sponsorship information, contact Christine Zernick at [email protected]; 330-865-6108.