From earthmover TPCs to legislative issues and motivational sessions, the event covered a wide range of topics.
In attending this year’s Off-The-Road Tire Conference in Las Vegas, which took place from February 21-24 at the Red Rock Casino Resort and Spa, one of the many highlights—and a major one for me—was a live, OTR Tire Service Demonstration with a team showing how to attach a tire protection chain (TPC) to a wheel loader.
TPC is a tight mesh that covers all the vulnerable parts of tires and forms a barrier against damage. With the general size of earthmoving equipment, it was truly a sight to see.
Maximizing growth through training
The three-day conference revolved around three daily themes: “maximizing growth through training”, “maximizing growth through industry insight”, and “maximizing growth through professional development”. With safety always top of mind, each day of the program started with a safety tip.
The educational sessions were varied and included: Legislation impacting the OTR tire industry, tire chain selection and maintenance, OTR tire service accident analysis, current and future outlook for OTR tires, everything you need to know about OTR retreading, premium products and solutions for a safe tire ecosystem, the automation of OTR retreading has arrived, and high profit in retreading and recycling.
Motivational sessions
Like any successful event, the conference also had plenty of content related to personal and professional performance, with three motivational speakers presenting sessions that inspired the audience. These included Marilyn Sherman who spoke on “how top performers never settle for balcony seats”, Mark Kamp on “opportunity rocks”, with everyone in the room receiving a pair of drumsticks so we could rock on throughout his presentation, and last but not least, Rudy Ruettiger on “dream big and never quit”. Against all odds, Ruettiger realized his dream of playing college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and served as inspiration for the 1993 film “Rudy”.
Exhibits and leisure activities
Other hallmarks of this annual conference were 75 tabletop exhibitors and leisure programs for all, including golf, bowling, and hiking in the Red Rock National Park. The conference offered the perfect blend of business and leisure activities, and it certainly appeared that all delegates had an enjoyable conference experience.
If you are so inclined, mark your calendar for February 19-22, 2025, which are the dates for next year’s OTR Conference. This time, the event will take place at the Sheraton Puerto Rico Resort & Casino in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
