K&M Tire staff and its dealer network from across the country gathered to mingle with vendors and gain insight on industry trends at the distributor’s 2024 Dealer Conference and Trade Show in Atlantic City, NJ. Dealers were challenged to “level up,” their businesses in 2024 as they gathered to listen to informational seminars, walk the annual trade show to network with dozens of vendors and even have the chance to win some brand-new vehicles. Tire Review also presented its 2024 K&M Top Shop award winner, Triple Tire.
K&M Tire Marketing Regional Program Manager Gene Bova led things off by introducing K&M’s “level up” theme and introduced leadership concepts and techniques that business owners and managers can use to develop their teams.
NAPA Coach & Business Trainer Vin Waterhouse discussed knowing your technician’s talents to get the most out of their performance and how it should determine your labor rate.
K&M Tire and dozens of vendors had booths for the annual trade show to give its dealers a chance to network with potential and current customers.
The Coats Company
Continental
BKT
Double Coin
Falken Tires
Firestone Tire Ag
Garage Gurus
Hamaton
Hankook Tire
Kumho Tire
Martins
Mickey Thompson Tires & Wheels
Nexen Tire
Tech Tire Repair
Trelleborg
Yokohama Tires
Following the trade show and Day One events, dealers were invited to a late-night pool party featuring a Foreigner tribute band, sponsored by Yokohama.
Check out this line for Day Two’s General Session and Keynote Speaker!
K&M Tire Director of Training Jeff Wallick kicked off the general session by explaining what K&M Tire means by “level up,” and gave dealers a roadmap for how to do so.
Keynote speaker Victoria Labalme discussed a “risk forward” approach to business and life.
Continental Tire’s Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing Bill Caldwell discussed the future state of EV tires and how Continental is approaching the trend.
Wallick returned to the stage to discuss having a “level up” mentality and taking the lead in your business by remembering the “why.”
Bova discussed Mr. Tire/Big 3 Tire programs available to K&M Tire members.
Bob Johnson Nissan based in Rochester, New York won a brand new Chevy Colorado, sponsored by Falken Tires.
Jack Kistler from Action Jackson Automotive based in Udall, KS won a Ford Mustang Mach-E, sponsored by Hankook Tires.
Ben Leipold from Leipold Tire, based in Cuyahoga Falls, OH, won a GMC Acadia AT4, sponsored by Continental.
Austin Speck from Speck Sales, based in Bowling Green, OH, won a Honda Pioneer 1000, sponsored by Goodyear.
K&M Tire President Cheryl Gossard welcomed guests to the final dinner and awards show, where Tire Review presented its 2024 K&M Tire Top Shop award winner.
Husband and wife Jake and Allie Silbernagel, owners of Triple Tire in New Richmond, WI, accepted their 2024 K&M Top Shop award by thanking each other and discussing the importance of faith in how they operate their business.
In order from left to right: Tire Review Editor David Sickels, Triple Tire Owner Allie Silbernagel, Triple Tire Owner Jake Silbernagel, K&M Tire Director of Training Jeff Wallick.
Hankook Tire’s latest Gauge Index recently found that 41% of drivers have experienced a flat tire or tire blowout in the last 12 months. Another 29% have discovered a puncture or leak. The Gauge Index found that one-third (32%) of drivers who experienced a flat tire in the last year said the primary cause was a nail, which was the No. 1 culprit.
