A record number of attendees gathered for the 2024 California Tire Dealers Association (CTDA)/1-800EveryRim New Year luncheon on Jan. 18.
The more than 90 CTDA members heard from industry speakers Mike Spagnola, CEO and president of the Specialty Equipment Market Association; Dick Gust, CEO of the Tire Industry Association (TIA), and Joel Ayres, executive director of the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF).
Spagnola told attendees that SEMA had a terrific 2023, and that attendance at the 2023 SEMA Show was up 16% from the previous year. Spagnola said pre-registration for the 2024 show is ahead of last year’s pace, and work is underway to attract more companies to the show.
Gust talked about ongoing efforts surrounding Right to Repair, as well as the importance of supporting the regional and statewide groups like CTDA, as well as larger national associations like TIA. Ayres talked to members about the focus and work of the AACF and invited them to get involved in giving back to the industry.
Chris Barry, president of the CTDA, said he was pleased with the event, and noted that “the crowd was enthusiastic” and engaged throughout the brief presentations. Barry said the luncheon also had a new feature — a small trade show.
Barry said tire dealers should join CTDA because “it helps with legislation (and) state policies. You’ve got to have a voice.” The association maintains a lobbying presence in Sacramento.
The 2025 luncheon is scheduled for Jan. 30, 2025. But members don’t have to wait that long for the next association event. The San Diego chapter of CTDA will meet on March 21. Barry said the San Diego gathering is “the second largest event we do all year.”
Seventeen companies supported the event as sponsors or tabletop vendors:
- Federated Insurance
- 1-800EveryRim OEM Wheels
- Cell ITDG
- TireBase
- GMG EnviroSafe
- TireTutor
- Westpac Wealth Partners
- Wholesale Tire Distributors
- Yokohama
- Mighty Auto Parts
- Crystal Clean
- Conceptual Minds
- Myers Tire Supply
- Turbo Wholesale Tire
- AME International
- GMG EnviroSafe
- Net Driven
