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technologies by Doug Kershaw, President of BKT USA, and three presentations by motivational speakers.
The conference programme also traditionally includes a busy social event including a golf tournament, a Sporting Clay Content and a session at the hotel’s spa facility. The fact that the OTR Tire Conference attracted nearly 60 sponsors is a testament to the esteem in which this event is held.
CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM OTR SECTOR
We asked TIA’s CEO Dick Gust why he thought the conferen-
ce had achieved such support from the OTR tyre sector.
“I think the success of the event over the years is primarily down to the fact that it targets a specialised group that needs access to information on how to handle these large tyres. Combined with the fact that the conference offers an oppor- tunity to manufacturers and other suppliers, over time more and more people have gravitated towards it,” explained Gust.
“The technical and training side to what TIA does is key, and this has been a main focus for TIA over many years,” he ad- ded. “Our ATS (Automotive Tire Service) programme is vital, but this year we are also investing significant amounts in de- veloping our OTR Tire Service Programme.”
During the conference, TIA’s training programmes for the OTR sector was highlighted in two sessions moderated by Kevin Rohlwing, an OTR Service Live Demo session plus a session outlining the changes made to TIA’s Earthmover Tire Service (ETS) Programme.
“Additionally,” said Gust, “Covid has meant that we have been able to develop our online university and send out modules to dealers. This has really broadened our base.”
The other main focus for TIA currently is Government Af-

CONFERENCE
REPORT
Dick Gust: “I think the success of the event over the years is primarily down to the fact that it targets a specialised group that needs access to information on how to handle these large tyres.”
fairs, which is now being handled by the Association’s new Vice President of Government Affairs – Roy Littlefield IV. This was also dealt with on day 1 of the conference.
“Our focus is on how to get people to understand the impor- tance of this role,” said Gust. “TIA is the main representative in front of Federal and State Government.”
In his presentation, Littlefield talked about bipartisan op- portunities in the 118th Congress and TIA’s aims to pass sig- nificant legislation for the OTR industry in 2023. The major focus this year is on the Right to Repair legislation, in regards to which TIA is now getting good support.
Littlefield also highlighted TIA’s support of the $1.2 trillion bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs act, which impacts op- portunities in areas such as rubberised asphalt, and on the Association’s involvement in state level projects such as Ca- lifornia’s consideration of a new replacement tyre efficiency programme and addressing threats in various states to the crumb rubber and synthetic turf sectors.
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