TIA to Give Away Thousands at SEMA

The TIA Welcome Reception is due to take place on Monday 1 November 2004, from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at Risque in the Paris Hotel one of the most popular night time venues in Las Vegas. Organisers are billing the event as “the largest networking reception in the tyre business.” Those present will be eligible to win one of several $1,000 cash giveaways. Sponsors for the event include GE Retail Sales Finance, The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and Modern Tire Dealer Magazine. Tickets will cost $50 each.

The following morning the TIA’s ‘Breakfast with the President’ will be held from 7:00 to 9:00 am at the same venue. The breakfast will feature presentations by, Larry Morgan, the outgoing TIA President; and Richard Gust, his successor. Mr Gust is President of Lakin Environmental Industries, one of the largest tyre collection and recycling companies in the United States. Cooper Tire is sponsoring the event and, as in the past, will give away $20,000 to one lucky attendee (only dealers are eligible and must be present to win).

The Breakfast will also feature the Tire Industry Hall of Fame Inductions. Those slated for the honour will be announced by the end of September. 2003 honourees were: Thomas Foord, founder and president of Kal Tire in Vernon, British Columbia, Canada, and Marvin Bozarth, former executive director of the International Tire & Rubber Association and current senior technical consultant of the Tire Industry Association. Tickets for the Breakfast are $30 each.