The 2014 Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo in Panama City, Panama, is over. It wrapped up on Friday, July 25. All that's left is to report on the activities -- and look forward to next year's event.
The exposition started with a gala inaugural party on Wednesday evening. During the party, Latin Expo Group LLC CEO Gustavo Lima and President Marco Zigni presented a check for $10,000 to a local children's charity, Aldeas Infantiles SOS Panama.
SOS helps children who are at risk because their basic needs are neglected or they are abused. “We are pleased that with we are able to contribute this small token of support for these children and to such a wonderful charity in Panama," said Lima.
Although attendance statistics are not finalized, Lima said he expected roughly 4,000 total attendees from 50 countries to attend the expo. He was expecting 230 exhibitors from 80 countries, too.
During the event, several key executives from Bridgestone Tire Americas Inc., Cooper Tire & Rubber Co., Continental Tire the Americas LLC and Hules Bando spoke about topics varying from new marketing techniques to consumers to the ecological advantages of using retreaded tires.
In addition, Matt White, director of tire service for the Tire Industry Association, spoke about new training and certification programs that the association has produced in both English and Spanish. A new farm tire training program has been introduced this year, and White said that a new earthmover tire certification program will be finished in 2015, as will an industrial tire training program. White believes TIA has trainied more than 88,000 technicians to date.
Wrapping up the general session, David Stevens, managing director of the Tire Retread & Repair Information Bureau (TRIB) used the occassion to introduce a "Rubber on the Road" video that will be used to debunk commons misperceptions about the rubber found on highways.
The 2015 Latin American & Caribbean Tyre Expo is scheduled for July 29-31 at the Atlapa Convention Center in Panama City.
To check out what else went on at the expo, check out these links:
"Pirelli introduces the 01 Series truck tire."
"Vipal to display at Latin American tire expo."
"TIA to exhibit at Latin American tire expo."
"Latin American tire expo announces speakers."
