Show organizers to ‘rethink’ the NATRE

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Image conscious: North Carolina tire dealers

Show organizer to ‘rethink’ the NATRE

Last month, the North American Tire & Retread Expo (NATRE) was held in New Orleans. While the trade show was small in size, the event did feature a number of solid seminars by industry experts. Unfortunately, the attendance was not at the level that show organizers had hoped. In fact, the trade show and attendance was much smaller than in previous years.

“In our quest to create the NATRE as a stand-alone tire conference for tire dealers, retreaders and the tire industry, we have not seen the support from attendees, tire manufacturers and suppliers that we had hoped for,” says Gus Lima, CEO of the Latin Expo Group, the expo’s organizer. “As a result we have decided not to proceed with the show in its current format.”

Lima says he still has a vision for an event in the future and plans to rethink how to best achieve that goal. The NATRE was launched in 2014 as the only national tire trade show and conference dedicated to tire dealers, retreaders and the tire industry, says Lima.

“We wish to thank all the companies and industry professionals who have supported the show these past three years and hope to see all of you in the future,” adds Lima. ■

Speakers at the North American Tire & Retread Expo included (top left to bottom right): John Rice, director of TPMS products, 31 Inc.; Josepch Saoud, president, U.S. and Canada, TBR, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations; John Zentz, vice president of sales, Hunter Engineering Co.; and Clif Armstrong, president, TP Commercial Solutions LLC.