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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Tegeta Green Planet and Toyota Center Tegeta served as the primary backers for a summer camp organised by Word Academy, which brought together adolescents between the ages of 8 and 17 in the Kakheti region. The initiative was designed as a digital detox, with all forms of screens and online platforms set aside in favour of immersive, real-world learning experiences.

The week-long agenda was deliberately varied, mixing educational seminars with hands-on exercises, strategic games, and open-forum conversations. Campers were given the opportunity to interact with experts from a range of occupations, all while developing their abilities in analytical reasoning, group coordination and ethical decision-making through carefully structured activities.

A significant portion of the schedule was given over to ecological subjects, with Shalva Akhvlediani, Director of Tegeta Green Planet, and his colleagues leading sessions on waste management and sustainability. The discussions centred on closed-loop systems, producer accountability frameworks and the correct disposal methods for vehicle-derived refuse, including used tyres, spent batteries and lubricating oils. Following these briefings, the teenagers engaged in spirited debates and cooperative challenges that explored the connection between daily habits and broader environmental health.

By the conclusion of the camp, the participants had reached a collective understanding that safeguarding nature is a duty shared equally by citizens, public institutions and commercial entities. Tegeta Green Planet views such educational outreach as a cornerstone of its mission. Toyota Center Tegeta echoed this sentiment, stating through its actions that nurturing youthful minds and ecological mindfulness are indispensable steps toward a resilient and enlightened tomorrow.

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Maxxis has unveiled the next iteration of its MaxxTerra rubber compound, engineered to substantially enhance both durability and traction for mountain bike tyres. The updated formulation maintains the low rolling resistance that characterises the brand’s performance range, addressing rider demands for extended tyre life without compromising capability on difficult trails.

Following extensive laboratory development and testing, Maxxis engineers achieved measurable improvements over the original compound. The new version exhibits a minimum 30 percent increase in tread wear resistance and a 15 percent gain in grip, all while preserving rolling efficiency. This advancement translates to prolonged riding sessions and reduced frequency of tyre changes for end users.

The enhanced compound will be progressively integrated across the entire trail tyre lineup, with the initial phase currently available. Consumers can distinguish the updated product through packaging marked with a ‘New MaxxTerra’ graphic, while the tyre’s sidewall badge now simply displays ‘MaxxTerra’, replacing the previous ‘3C MaxxTerra’ designation.

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The Goodyear Blimp is set to reclaim the New York City skyline during the upcoming Independence Day celebrations. On 4th July, the iconic aircraft will provide millions of Americans with a unique aerial perspective of Sail 4th 250, a premier maritime event that boasts the largest assembly of tall ships globally. The aerial broadcast is scheduled to commence at 7 AM Eastern Standard Time on NBC’s TODAY Show.

Wingfoot One, a seasoned veteran of the skies with a long history of appearing at significant national events, will be soaring over the metropolis. In a notable operational shift, the blimp will establish its ground presence in Brooklyn for the first time in half a century, marking a historic return not just to the city’s airspace but also to its soil. This strategic move is designed to capture the best possible views of the activities in New York Harbor.

This appearance marks the blimp’s fourth participation in an Operation Sail event, having previously been a staple at the inaugural 1964 celebration, the Bicentennial in 1976 and the Statue of Liberty’s centennial in 1986. Its return for America’s 250th anniversary serves as a natural role for the aerial ambassador of Goodyear, a company that has been rooted in the United States for over 125 years and remains the nation’s sole major tyre manufacturer.

Julianne Roberts, Senior Director, Marketing, said, "For more than half the history of the United States, Goodyear science has contributed not only to the success of the American automotive industry by producing tyres worth bragging about but also to the protection of the country through military service, including blimps that helped ensure the safety of the Navy.”

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MICHELIN Connected Fleet has introduced an artificial intelligence (AI) assistant directly within its MyConnectedFleet web platform, designed to enhance operational efficiency for fleet managers. The new tool delivers immediate, data-driven responses to user queries, significantly reducing the time traditionally spent on manual research and data compilation. By integrating seamlessly into the existing portal, the assistant provides a streamlined approach to managing complex fleet information.

The AI system transforms raw fleet usage data into actionable insights, enabling managers to make quicker, more informed decisions. It supports a wide range of practical requests, from generating reports on driver fuel efficiency and identifying trucks requiring tyre maintenance to checking vehicle availability and calculating monthly fuel costs. The assistant is built as a closed, secure system to ensure the confidentiality of all fleet data, addressing key concerns about information security.

Functioning as a comprehensive partner for managers of heavy goods vehicles, passenger transport and light commercial vehicles, the tool offers real-time analysis of fuel consumption, driver behaviour and journey metrics. It provides immediate answers for both simple safety and cost-related questions and more complex analytical tasks, presenting findings in text or visual formats. Future updates to the solution will be guided by direct customer feedback, ensuring its continuous evolution.

The MICHELIN AI Assistant is currently available to customers across 10 countries, including United Kingdom, United States and several European nations. It leverages over a century of mobility expertise and three decades of data science experience, responding to the belief of most fleet managers that AI will transform their sector. The assistant can also be paired with other technologies, such as onboard cameras and tyre inspection systems, to form a cohesive, practical solution for modern fleet operations.

Sophie Foucque, CEO, MICHELIN Connected Fleet, Europe, Africa and Australia, said, “The AI Assistant is the natural evolution of our DNA, which is built around supporting our customers. Co-developed with some of our largest customers, it offers a more intuitive way to interact with vehicle usage data while removing the need to generate multiple reports. Augmented fleet managers can therefore focus fully on the performance of their operations.”

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