HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C.—The Clemson University Center for Corporate Learning has released a partial agenda for the Clemson University Global Tire Industry Conference, scheduled for the Sonesta Resort in Hilton Head April 18-20.
The conference begins with a session titled, "Data Analytics in Business Development & Risk Mitigation," moderated by Roy Littlefield, executive vice president of the Tire Industry Association.
Tracey Norberg, senior vice president of the U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association, will be an early speaker in the session. Norberg will be followed by a presentation on tire registration and recall, delivered by John Evankovich, director, tire and battery centers for Sam's Club, and David Martin, director of sales for American Tire Distributors.
The April 18 afternoon session, "Improved Tire Performance," will be moderated by James F. Cuttino, president and CEO of Camber Ridge L.L.C.
Vandy Price, senior technical advisor at Michelin North America Inc., will deliver a presentation on road hazard impacts during that session.
Rachel Withers and Emily Richard of Bridgestone Americas will speak, followed by a presentation on haul trucks by Ron Tatlock, manager, training & engineering for BKT Tires (U.S.A.) Inc., and Bill Easterly, vice president of fleet operations for Feld Entertainment Inc.
The April 19 morning session, "Tire Market—Legislative, Legal, and Political Issues," will be moderated by Mike Wischhusen of Michelin North America.
Patrick Keating, senior manager, technical engineering for Yokohama Tire Corp., will speak during the session. Keating will be followed by Walter J. Weller, senior vice president of CMA L.L.C., whose speech is titled, "Antidumping and Countervailing Duties: USW vs. Chinese Truck Tires."
James A. Popio, vice president of Smithers Rapra, will present "Top 5 Opportunities in the Global Tire Industry and How Technology Can Meet the Challenge."
Lunch on April 19 will feature a keynote speaker to be announced.
The afternoon session, "Chemicals and Raw Materials Issues," will be moderated by Lynn Bryant, account manager at Arlanxeo Tire and Specialty Rubber.
Speakers during that session will include Eric Wamsley of ExxonMobil, Bill Hyde of IHS Chemical and Greg King of Sid Richardson Carbon & Energy Co.
"Innovation, Efficiency, and Sustainability" will be the title of the April 20 session, which will also be moderated by Mike Wischhusen. Maureen Kline, vice president, public affairs and sustainability at Pirelli Tire North America, will be one of the speakers in that session.
Also speaking in that session will be Richard Gust, president of national account sales and director of government affairs at Liberty Tire Recycling L.L.C., on "Managing OTR Tires to Achieve Sustainability."
Todd Steen, executive director of business development, motorsports & events at Jackson Marketing Group, will speak on "Fighting Commoditization: Train or Go Extinct."
For more information, conference registration and room reservations at the Sonesta Resort, visit clemsontireconference.com.