Around 450 people from 10 countries have registered for the 67th annual conference, which will take place at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Miramar Beach, Fla., from 23-26 February. This is the first conference in two years. 

Mason Hess, President, TIA, said, “We are thrilled with the turnout and excited to extend the room block for a few more days. I encourage anyone who has been contemplating attending to take advantage of this offer.” 

Conference registration is required prior to reserving a room. A special reservation link will be provided once registration is received and payment is processed, TIA said in a statement. 

This year’s OTR Tyre Conference features 12 educational sessions including topics on blocking and cribbing; a Women in Industry Panel; U.S. and Canada economic forecasts; Managing the Future of OTR End of Life Tyres; and Attracting, Developing and Retaining Top Industry Talent.  

Besides, there will be two breakout sessions, focusing on the future of robotics in retread plants and on OTR tire recycling, new markets and sustainability solutions. The educational sessions will focus on training, industry information, professional development and government affairs and will include a new Women in the Industry Panel. Paralympian and two-time World Champion Jeff Glasbrenner will also deliver a motivational speech. 

The annual OTR Tire Conference also offers attendees multiple opportunities to network and conduct business. Attendees will also have several opportunities to visit and talk with suppliers during the tabletop gatherings, the release added.

 

Full schedule: 

Wednesday, Feb. 23 

• Legislative Update: 

Presented by Roy Littlefield IV, TIA director of government affairs; 

• Managing the Future of OTR End-of-Life Tyres: 

Presented by John Sheerin, director, end-of-life tyre program, U.S. Tyre Manufacturers Association (USTMA); Leigh-Ann Stewart, director of health and safety, Kal Tire; and Debra Hamlin, director of commercial business, environmental, health, safety and sustainability, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations; 

• Jacking and Cribbing: 

Presented by Jeff Faubion, TIA/MSHA compliance specialist, Bridgestone Americas Inc.; Roy Galyer, training manager, Klinge Holdings Pty. Ltd.; and Matt White, TIA director of tyre service; 

• Virtual OTR Tech Panel: 

Presented by Mark Shimko, safety trainer, McCarthy Tire Service, and Faubion, Galyer and White. 

Thursday, Feb. 24 

• U.S. Economic Forecast: 

Presented by Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice president of training 

• Canadian Economic Forecast: 

Presented by Rohlwing on behalf of the Tire and Rubber Association of Canada; 

• Tyre Repair Panel: 

Presented by Robbie Bushnell, vice president of tire repair products, 31 Inc. XtraSeal; Brian Laughlin, key account manager, TECH International; and Jeff Young, vice president OTR and retread products, Rema Tip Top North America; and 

• Women in the Industry Panel: 

(panelists to be announced later). 

Friday, Feb. 25 

• 10 Big Tech Trends Affecting Businesses This Year… And Beyond: 

Presented by Gene Marks, CPA, Marks Group PC; 

• Attracting, Developing & Retaining Top Tire Industry Talent: 

Presented by Mike Cioffi, founder, Tire Talent; 

• Essential Leadership for Crucial Moments: 

Presented by Mike Acker, communication coach, ADVANCE, Coaching and Consulting L.L.C. 

• Motivational Speaker: “Overcoming Obstacles and Achieving Goals: 

Presented by Jeff Glasbrenner. 

• Break-Out Sessions: 

• The Present Future of Robotics in Today’s Retread Production Plants: 

Presented by Daniel Zeledon, president, Tesco-Italmatic L.L.C.; and 

• Advancing OTR Recycling, New Markets and Sustainability Solutions: 

presented by Genti Bardhi, head of business development & government affairs – North America, Salvadori. (TT)

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Petlas Tire Corporation has introduced the PtxMD51, an L-5 type tyre specifically engineered for underground mining loaders and trucks operating under severe service conditions. This new addition expands the company’s off-the-road product range to address the most demanding mining environments.

Built with an extra deep tread and an all-steel radial construction, this tyre excels where wear, impact and cut risks are consistently high. Its specially developed tread compound offers strong resistance to cuts and chips, while the reinforced structure, combining steel belts with a radial steel carcass, delivers high impact resistance under heavy loads and harsh operating conditions. A solid centre structure further boosts durability and resistance.

To maintain stability and traction, shoulder grooves are incorporated into the design, ensuring reliable performance in underground operations. With the PtxMD51, Petlas continues to strengthen its portfolio for high-risk, heavy-duty applications where durability, safety and cost efficiency remain essential priorities.

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Lazada, a major e-commerce player in Southeast Asia, has entered a strategic collaboration with Michelin to transform how drivers buy tyres online. By merging digital commerce capabilities with Michelin’s mobility expertise, the partnership seeks to improve operational efficiency, build consumer confidence and simplify the entire purchasing process across the region.

A pilot programme will launch in Thailand during the first quarter of 2026, featuring a dedicated Michelin flagship store on LazMall. From there, the initiative will extend to other Southeast Asian markets. The companies plan to co‑invest in a framework that streamlines tyre buying on LazMall by incorporating Michelin’s authorised distributors into Lazada’s ecosystem. This integration supports better inventory control, guarantees product authenticity and widens customer reach. Educational campaigns promoting road safety and proper tyre maintenance are also part of the plan.

As part of the agreement, Michelin will onboard its authorised local partners and distributors onto Lazada’s platform, giving them access to Lazada’s regional customer base. Lazada will further support Michelin’s loyalty efforts through its membership programme, bridging offline and online interactions. This aligns with Michelin’s broader offline‑to‑online strategy while reinforcing product authenticity and service quality for drivers throughout the region.

Varitha Kiatpinyochai, CEO, Lazada Thailand, said, “This partnership with Michelin reflects Lazada’s commitment to building a high-trust premium eCommerce platform that goes beyond transactions. By combining Michelin’s global leadership in mobility and safety with Lazada’s technology, logistics and regional know-how, we are creating a more integrated journey that gives consumers greater confidence, convenience and peace-of-mind.”

Paul Perriniaux, Vice President for Sales, B2C, Michelin Asia Pacific, said, “This partnership lets us deliver that promise digitally: clear guidance, authentic products and seamless after sales support, all anchored in Michelin’s vision for safer, long-lasting and more sustainable mobility. By working with Lazada, we will shape a meaningful, end to end journey that puts consumers first – before, during, and long after their purchase.”

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HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS was honoured at the sixth Endangered Species Day ceremony, which took place on 1 April 2026 at the Chollipo Arboretum in Taean. The company received a certificate recognising its sponsorship of endangered species conservation. This annual event, organised by the National Institute of Ecology, has been running since 2021 with the goal of increasing public awareness about the protection of threatened species. The institute also runs a special recognition programme that celebrates corporate contributions to conservation efforts.

Since signing an agreement with the National Institute of Ecology in 2022, HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS has been acknowledged for its ongoing commitment to preserving biodiversity. The firm planted 2,000 specimens of Veronica pusanensis, a Class II endangered wild plant and has been listed as an official conservation sponsor since 2023. The company has also focused on safeguarding essential pollinators like bees. In 2023, it created a pollinator garden at the Mulbeodeul Ecological Experience Learning Center in Seocheon, followed by another in 2024 at the Ulsan Climate Crisis Response Education Center, where nectar rich plants such as canola and buckwheat help sustain bee populations and reproduction.

Additionally, the company tackles threats to biodiversity through regular removal of invasive species. Since 2023, it has annually cleared harmful plants including Sicyos angulatus and Humulus japonicus from Yubu Island in Seocheon, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. These persistent efforts demonstrate a holistic approach to protecting both flora and fauna, from endangered wild plants to critical pollinators, while also managing ecological threats to preserve natural heritage areas.

An ESG official from HS HYOSUNG ADVANCED MATERIALS said, “We are honoured to receive this recognition for our efforts in endangered species conservation. We will continue to work closely with the National Institute of Ecology to further expand and strengthen our conservation initiatives.”

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Kumho Tire USA has renewed its commitment to Formula DRIFT by extending its sponsorship for another three years. For the 2026 Formula DRIFT PRO Championship, the company has assembled a formidable roster of six elite drivers to represent Team KUMHO. This group includes Jeff Jones, Andy Hateley, Rome Charpentier, Jack Shanahan, Ryan Litteral and Cody Buchanan. Each of them will compete on KUMHO Ecsta V730 tyres, a model specifically developed to withstand the punishing conditions of high level competitive drifting.

Jeff Jones returns for his third season with KUMHO and his 18th in the PRO Championship, more determined than ever to reach the podium and build on his legacy as a drifting pioneer. He is also committed to mentoring the next generation of drivers. Andy Hateley, known as the Drift Wizard, brings over two decades of experience as both a driver and builder, entering his third PRO season and third with KUMHO. Rome Charpentier, a Southern California native who began chasing his racing dreams at age 30, has achieved multiple podium finishes worldwide and is starting his second year with KUMHO.

Jack Shanahan, who earned Formula DRIFT PRO 2025 Rookie of the Year on KUMHO tyres, now aims for the championship podium in 2026. Hailing from Ireland, he started racing at 10 and has won multiple international titles in hot rod racing, tarmac rallying and drifting. Ryan Litteral, with over a decade of Formula DRIFT experience, is known for his aggressive yet composed driving style and grassroots roots; 2026 will be his first season with KUMHO. Cody Buchanan, the 2025 PROSPEC Champion and the first driver from North Dakota to earn a Formula DRIFT license, joins KUMHO for his PRO rookie year, bringing consistency under pressure and fan favourite status to the championship chase.

Entering its 23rd season, Formula DRIFT continues to be motorsport's fastest rising discipline, capturing a young audience with over 85 percent of fans aged 18 to 44. Attendance has grown exponentially, and the series now commands more than five and a half million social media followers. By partnering with this energetic and rapidly expanding sport, Kumho Tire taps into a deeply engaged community, reinforcing its image as a premium brand choice in a competitive market.

Shawn Denlein, President of Sales and Marketing, said, "As one of the most popular motorsports in the United States for millennial and Gen Z generations, Formula DRIFT offers an unparalleled platform to showcase the ultra-high-performance capabilities of KUMHO tyres and we are thrilled to be an Official Tyre sponsor through 2029. We are also incredibly proud to partner with an elite lineup of Formula DRIFT PRO drivers in 2026, equipping them with cutting-edge tyres as they push the limits of skill and precision on the track."

Ryan Sage, President, Formula DRIFT, said, "KUMHO has continued to engage with Formula DRIFT in a way that emphasises a strong manufacturer-to-event relationship. Having partnered with teams in a thoughtful and strategic way, its effort drives a powerful narrative throughout the season. And KUMHO tyres appear both competitive and reliable, allowing the teams to push hard on the track against top products from their main rivals. This helps the athletes who are in an extreme situation, going sideways with smoke, walls and fellow competitors just inches away.”

2026 Formula DRIFT Schedule:

• Round 1: Streets of Long Beach (10–11 April, Long Beach, Calif.)
• Round 2: Road to the Championship (7–9 May, Atlanta, Georgia)
• Round 3: Scorched (29–30 May, Orlando, Florida)
• Round 4: Battle at the Springs (18–20 June, Stafford, Connecticut)
• Round 5: Midwest Mayhem (30 July–1 August, Indianapolis, Indiana)
• Round 6: Throwdown (21–22 August, Seattle, Washington)
• Round 7: High Stakes (24–26 September, Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Round 8: Shoreline Showdown (23–24 October, Long Beach, Calif.)

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