Carol looks at some highlights from this year’s OTR Tire Conference in Puerto Rico.

American country music legend Willie Nelson wrote and recorded “On the Road Again” in 1980, and it is this very tune I hummed while attending the recent Tire Industry Association’s (TIA) Off-the-Road (OTR) Tire Conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Willie’s song about life on tour seemed appropriate for the TIA’s annual event. The two-and-a-half-day program featured 12 educational sessions, networking, tabletop exhibits, and leisure activities and witnessed an impressive turnout of over 500 delegates and guests from 35 states and 12 countries.

Variety of events

In addition to a great speaker lineup, TIA conferences are famous for several things: every general session begins with an informative safety tip (courtesy of Klinge); the exhibit hall is full of buzz and packed with educational tabletop displays (not to mention plenty of pens and ball caps’ giveaways); the food, beverage, and networking are always fabulous; and there was a swath of interesting optional events on day two including golf, rainforest hiking, lagoon fishing, horseback riding, and ATVing!

Day One’s theme “Maximizing Growth Through Training” included a service trucks panel and a live demo related to technician safety. New and very special this year was the presentation of the first-ever Earthmover Tire Service (ETS) Technician of the Year award which went to Tony Pass of Oakwood, Georgia. According to his nominators, Tony was praised for his professionalism, attention to detail, and focus on safety.

Economic forecast

Day Two’s theme “Maximizing Growth Through Industry Insight” included presentations by TIA staff on legislative updates and a U.S. Economic Forecast. I was pleased to present a Canadian Economic Forecast that provided insights into the overall Canadian economy including a view into Canada’s various regions and the impact on the OTR tire segment, then ended with select provincial OTR tire sales data. Additionally, Caterpillar shared their interesting experiences with autonomous trucks and tire wear.

Day Three’s theme “Maximizing Growth Through Professional Development” included a fascinating presentation “Tire Industry Employment 2025 Trends”, and motivational speaker Dave Sanderson who was the last passenger off US Airways Flight 1549, known as “The Miracle on Hudson” piloted by Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger. Sully and co-pilot Jeffrey Skiles, landed the aircraft on the Hudson River in New York on January 15, 2009, following the failure of both engines due to a bird strike. Sanderson emerged from the wreckage to become a keynote speaker, lecturing on leadership, culture, lifelong preparation, and encouraging people to live a life of integrity.

I’ll be ‘on the road again’ for the TIA’s 2026 Off-The-Road Tire Conference in Orlando, Florida, perhaps I’ll see you there!