Session Descriptions*

Wednesday, February 24, 2027
Maximizing Growth Through Training

Live OTR Tire Service Demonstration

Moderator: Kevin Rohlwing, IOM, Chief Technical Officer, Tire Industry Association
Presenter: Matt White, Director of Off-Road Tire Service, Tire Industry Association

Join TIA Director of Off-Road Tire Service Matt White as he leads the conference’s live OTR tire and wheel service demonstration. This popular session provides valuable insight into the techniques, tools, and best practices used to safely service a variety of off-road equipment. Watch as Matt and his team tackle the everyday challenges technicians face, offering practical tips and expert guidance you can apply in the field.

OTR Tire Repair & Retreading

Damage to OTR tires is inevitable, and with the high cost of replacement, repair is an essential part of any effective tire maintenance program. OTR tire repair is a highly specialized segment of the industry that requires significant investments in technician training, specialized tools, equipment, and repair materials.

In this session, a panel of OTR tire repair experts and retread professionals will discuss what types of tire damage can be repaired, the methods and processes used to perform those repairs, and the key factors that determine repairability. Attendees will also learn how dealers can help customers set realistic expectations by evaluating tire injuries based on their size, application, and wheel position.

Valve Stem Selection & Installation

The valve stem is a critical component of every OTR tire and wheel assembly, playing an essential role in maintaining proper inflation and overall tire performance. Selecting the correct valve assembly is just as important as following proper installation procedures. In this session, attendees will explore the various types of OTR valve assemblies, their intended applications, and best practices for selection and installation. The discussion will also highlight the critical role proper torque plays in maximizing valve stem performance, reliability, and service life.

Thursday, February 25, 2027 
Maximizing Growth Through Industry Insight

Navigating the New Landscape: Federal Policy Priorities for the OTR Tire Industry in 2027

Presenter: Roy Littlefield IV, Vice President of Government Affairs, Tire Industry Association 

With a new Congress taking office and a new policy agenda emerging, the OTR tire industry faces both opportunities and challenges in 2027. From trade and tariffs to tax policy, infrastructure, and regulatory reform, Roy Littlefield IV will provide an update on the key legislative and regulatory developments shaping the industry, examine where momentum is building, and highlight potential roadblocks businesses should be prepared to navigate.

U.S. and Canada Economic Forecasts

Presenter: Kevin Rohlwing, IOM, Chief Technical Officer, Tire Industry Association

The OTR tire industry is controlled by a number of different factors including construction, mining, and infrastructure investments. TIA Chief Technical Officer Kevin Rohlwing will compile data and information from various sources to provide attendees with an industry forecast for the U.S. and Canada that will help attendees plan for the rest of 2027.

The Future of Technology and AI in Equipment

Earthmoving equipment continues to evolve as technology and AI change how it is designed, manufactured, operated and maintained. CAT is the world’s largest manufacturer of earthmoving and construction equipment and technological advances are shaping the future of the market. This session will discuss those changes and what it means for the future of the tire and wheel industry as the next generation of equipment is introduced.

 Friday, February 26, 2027
Maximizing Growth Through Professional Development

 

How to Do More with Less: AI for your people, and AI for the OTR business

Presenter: Sharon Gai

Most people have tried AI by now, and most are still doing their job the same way they did 2 years ago. This keynote closes that gap in two halves.

1. Each person's own workday. After an AI 101 that respects the executives, I show how to treat a job as a bundle of tasks and hand the repeatable ones to AI, live, on email, meeting notes, reports and quotes. This half works for everyone in the room, whatever their role or starting point.
2. The OTR business. Predictive maintenance for service trucks and cranes, forecasting tire replacement from pressure, tread depth and hours data, site surveys turned into reports and quotes the same day, and a veteran technician's know-how captured for the next hire.

From Complaints to Solutions: Turning Problems Into Progress

Presenter: Will Bowen, CSP

In the OTR tire industry, solving problems is part of the job. But when challenges become complaints without action, productivity, teamwork, and relationships can suffer. Will Bowen shares practical strategies for turning complaints into solutions and productive action. Attendees will learn how to strengthen communication, improve interactions, increase personal accountability, and navigate workplace and industry change—leaving with practical tools they can immediately apply to build stronger relationships, more effective teams, and better outcomes.

Technician Training: What Works and What Doesn’t

Well-trained technicians work safer and effectively partner with sales personnel to provide the customer with the best value for OTR tires and wheels. A panel of OTR tire dealers will discuss their experiences with different types of technician training and how it has impacted their safety performance, operating costs and sales.

Breakout Sessions:

#1. From Risk to Resilience: Cybersecurity Starts with Your Team

Presenter: Dean Rhoades, First Vice President, Director of Special Projects – Risk Management, Federated Insurance

Cybercrime is no longer a distant threat—it’s a daily risk. From phishing scams to ransomware, the majority of breaches stem from employee actions, whether accidental or uninformed. In this high-impact session, Dean Rhoades of Federated Insurance will spotlight the crucial role employees play in safeguarding operations and outline the training strategies every business should implement before the inevitable strikes. Don’t miss this eye-opening session to learn how you can turn today’s vulnerabilities into tomorrow’s resilience.

#2. Navigating the Storm: How Global Disruptions Are Reshaping the OTR Tire Market & Supply Chains

Presenter: Fatih Sedele, CEO, Las Zirh Tire Chains 

Global disruptions are creating new challenges for companies across the mining, construction, tire, and OTR sectors. From supply chain interruptions and shifting trade routes to rising transportation costs, raw material availability, manufacturing pressures, and changing market conditions, events occurring thousands of miles away can quickly have an impact on day-to-day business.

Drawing from his firsthand experience living and conducting business in the region, Fatih Sedele of Las Zirh Tire Chains, a manufacturer based in Istanbul, Turkey, will provide a unique international perspective on how global disruptions are affecting manufacturing, supply chains, and the OTR tire industry.

This session will examine the real-world business implications of operating in an increasingly interconnected and unpredictable global marketplace, including the impact on manufacturing, sourcing, logistics, international trade, and supply chain planning. Fatih will also share lessons learned from navigating disruption and discuss strategies companies can consider to strengthen their operations, anticipate challenges, and remain responsive as global conditions continue to evolve.

Attendees will leave with a broader understanding of how global events can translate into tangible business challenges—and why adaptability, preparedness, and supply chain resilience are increasingly important to the future of the OTR industry.

 

*As of 8/3/2026 Subject to Change