Displaying items by tag: chris cook

Face to Face - It’s Time to Reopen KnowledgeFest

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Face to Face

It’s time to reopen KnowledgeFest

The sign on the door says we’re open for business. As schools, amusement parks, and, yes, trade shows and conferences reopen, we are excited to begin returning to normal. This June 25th KnowledgeFest will be starting up again in Orlando, Florida. This will be our first event in the Sunshine State. At the time of the event, it will have been over 15 months since we were able to meet in person back in Long Beach, California in February of 2020. It has been a long, hard road for many of us, and for a myriad of reasons.

Learning From the Challenges of the Past Year

As an association, we better understand key facets of the industry and how best to provide assistance in times of uncertainty. I can vividly remember the last in-person events I took part in. In February 2020, I was in Germany as a presenter at the Car Media Convention (CMC). In March, I was in the United States as an exhibitor, and I also had the privilege of presenting the keynote at the GoFast Solutions Mobile Expo. Each was at the very beginning of the pandemic.

Here’s What to Expect at KnowledgeFest Orlando

Since so many on social media have been wondering what to expect, I thought it would be a good idea to provide perspective on what we’re planning for KnowledgeFest Orlando. The first question: “Do we have to wear masks?” At the time of this writing, the answer is yes—you will have to wear a mask in the trade show floor and in the education and training sessions.

While Florida is a mask-free state, we are taking an abundance of caution knowing that many will be traveling from all over the country. Should guidance change prior to the event, we’ll comply with the prevailing wisdom from federal, state, and local ordinances. That said, much of the time you’re in Florida, mask-wearing will be up to your individual preference. The event will have high standards of clean, safe environments designed to provide the highest level of safety for you as the attendee. All the information you need can be found at KnowledgeFest.org/register, then look for “[Click Here] for Information on what to expect at the Orlando Event.” One very important thing to expect is the best live learning experience in the industry and a lot of fun networking with exhibitors and others in the industry.

What’s New?

This event will be a bit different from past events. First, it’s in Orlando! It’s a great place to take the family for vacation or connect face-to-face with friends. As an industry, we have a brave history of being able to adapt to new things. This will be a new thing for many of you who have not attended a KnowledgeFest event. To date, Orlando has been our most anticipated event. We will have an excellent line-up of presenters for both the education sessions and the manufacturer trainings. Expect to come home from the event with knowledge and wisdom that will improve your business.

Join Us in June

If you are in the mobile electronics industry, take this as an open invitation to join us in Orlando, June 25th to 27th for networking, discovery and just plain fun! If you miss it, remember you’ll have two more chances this year. One in Dallas, August 27th to 29th and the other in Indianapolis, October 8th to 10th. Regardless of the event, I look forward to seeing everyone together again!

Read the latest issue of Mobile Electronics magazine [Click Here]

Joining the Club - Mobile Electronics Editors Forum

[Read] the on the digital platform for Mobile Electronics magazine

Joining the Club

There are many different ways to get involved in the industry and network with fellow professionals. Let’s explore them. Which option works best for you?

Clubs, groups and associations are either exclusive, inclusive or both. Before you consider joining one, you should ask yourself a few questions, such as: What do you hope to get out of being a member? What are you able to contribute? Does the group conflict with other groups you’re involved in? Do the rules make sense and are you willing to abide by those rules? And lastly, why do you want to be part of the group? You’re probably seeking information, or even a sense of belonging. If you find value in it, then join and participate.

Types of Organizations and How to Navigate Them

Group leaders will state the purpose of the group and control the direction of the content. For example, a Facebook group will usually have a stated purpose and rules of engagement. Most groups allow for free exchange of information with little restrictions. Most will ask members to refrain from advertising or promoting themselves, as this does little to further the overall purpose. When groups allow this type of posting, the content often devolves and loses its intended purpose.

One reason for the popularity of social media groups is the ease of engagement. Most are free to join and only require you to meet certain qualifications. Once connected, you can share your thoughts, comment on posts and offer assistance to other members.

Vendor Groups and Industry Associations

Vendor groups are usually private Facebook groups, but some vendors offer them with special login credentials on the company’s website. These groups are almost always exclusive to customers of the vendor, and meant to be used to obtain and share information and find technical support. This type of group can be very helpful. Beyond that, dealer-to-dealer communication can be very valuable as it relates to a specific product or installation technique.

Trade associations in our industry provide a big tent environment allowing for many smaller groups to be formed. Some associations provide services to members in areas specific to their business interests. An association may also have several social groups allowing members to connect on specific topics.

Associations tend to be inclusive because they allow for many people in various areas of the field to be represented. Guidelines are set for membership types, and usually the member must demonstrate affiliation to the trade. This generally includes a code of ethics required to maintain good standing within the association.

Consider Exploring Cross-Industry Groups

If you are looking for a way to connect with others, look for opportunities to become involved in cross-industry groups. These groups usually exist in associations and are made up of participants from various associations in related industries. Becoming involved in this type of group will expose you to other industries and experiences. If the opportunity arises, seize it. It should be considered high-value.

Mingling With the Group

Joining up? Consider what’s best for you—an inclusive or exclusive setting, and how to decide.

An exclusive group has certain rules or requirements. There’s nothing wrong with this, but you should know before attempting to join that you might not be approved for membership. Groups like this are usually meant for a very specific field or interest. On the other hand, an inclusive group allows many to join regardless of affiliation with other groups. They tend to focus on greater participation, allowing for varied thoughts and opinions. Both group types serve a purpose.

Groups Can Be Both Inclusive and Exclusive

An association tends to recruit from a larger base, allowing it to be considered inclusive of all interests. Once you are a member, there may be groups within the association that are both inclusive and exclusive. The difference is that there’s usually a path for any member meeting certain criteria to become involved in an exclusive part of the association. For example, the association may have a leadership board that requires the member to meet certain criteria, and either be nominated or appointed to serve for a specific period.

Deciding Where You Belong

It’s easy enough to just join everything that interests you. That said, go back to the first part of this article and review what you want to get out of your association with specific groups. Are you looking for some precise information? Maybe you just want a sense of belonging. That’s reason enough to join and network with others. If you find value, then join and participate. To really get the most out of it, make sure you take the time to participate in any in-person events that others from the group might attend. Face-to-face networking tends to build better relationships, thus providing you with a longer-lasting and more fruitful experience.

Here’s What the Best Groups Have in Common

A group that helps you grow both personally and professionally will invite you to express your thoughts or opinions without consequences. Members will debate the issues and share relevant and helpful information. They won’t focus on who’s the best, or who’s not so good. They will lift up rather than tear down others. Good leadership in any group will help focus on your personal growth as an individual. If you feel the group lacks quality leadership, don’t shy away from speaking up. You never know—you might be the leader the group is looking for.

Yes, some groups may compete for your attention and membership. There’s nothing wrong with that, but there is a problem with a group that shuns others who might not be like them. Don’t get caught up in this type of group. It can be harmful to both you and others. Look for groups that encourage you to be yourself. Over time, you should notice the groups that don’t shun others are the ones which allow you to be a member.

Need Help Finding the Right Place for You?

I know many leaders with integrity in our industry. If you’re looking for a good group, ask your sales reps, your vendors, and even the Mobile Electronics Association. We will be glad to help point you in the right direction. And if you can make the journey, any KnowledgeFest event will put you in front of other likeminded professionals in our industry who can point you to great groups that will help you grow.

Read the latest issue of Mobile Electronics magazine [Click Here]

May Issue Blog: A Life of Learning

There are many ways to learn new strategies and absorb knowledge during lectures and trainings. Continually putting these tactics into practice as you study new processes is essential for personal and professional growth.

Not knowing how to do something can leave you feeling less than adequate. That feeling is compounded when it’s your job to know it. Knowledge truly is the power behind your success, and there are many ways to learn. If you are like most of us, learning is a result of just figuring it out on your own and using every available resource to find a solution to your problem. Taking the solitary approach can be satisfying, but you may have to endure several mistakes before you find what works best. This takes time and money and depending on your situation, may cause others to doubt your ability. And, you won’t get the benefit of learning from the mistakes of others. Regardless, if you’re attempting to learn something new at a lecture, class, or training, or trying to find a better way with your current process, knowing how best to absorb knowledge will help you reach your goals.

Listening

Learning by hearing allows you to pick up the experience of others and put into practice what you have heard, or to learn from their past mistakes. Hearing someone tell their story helps you relate personally, although just hearing it may not be enough. If the presenter is less than descriptive, you may be left to your own interpretation of what you have heard when implementing this newfound knowledge. This can lead to mistakes that leave you less that satisfied.

Seeing is Believing

Seeing how it’s done is the next step after listening to an explanation. A visual representation can make all the difference. While hearing may leave you wondering, when you see it done step-by-step, you have a better chance of figuring it out for yourself. Watching video representations of a process will get your further down the road of understanding. But seeing may not leave you fully believing. There is still room for some interpretation.

Modeling Others

In my opinion, there’s nothing better than a live demonstration, and modeling what you have seen and heard with the instructor. This allows real-time questions and answers to cement your understanding. Think about the last time you participated in a learning process that was hands-on. You heard the instructor and saw their presentation. Both were most likely helpful and provided a great foundation to let you model the process with the instructor and others who may have provided input. When you left this environment, you were ready to put your newfound knowledge into practice.

Practice Until You’re Proficient

This new knowledge requires practice. Take the time to repeat the process until you feel you have become proficient. Once you have mastered the strategy you’ve learned, you can take some creative license to make it your own. Be cautious in your quest to make it yours. Making it your own should never include shortcuts that diminish the quality. Ensure your modification to what you’ve learned does not sacrifice quality. Your reputation is not something you want to have to rebuild. Remember, your work not only represents your business, it represents our industry.

Passing On What You’ve Learned

Learning from your peers is only the beginning. Now that you have learned from others and added your own ideas, consider passing your knowledge on to others. Passing on what you have learned will help others embrace the perfection you have mastered. When you take time to teach, you will find another level of learning. Teaching is a rewarding endeavor. The peer to peer learning process is the foundation of KnowledgeFest and why so many come to learn and leave the event energized and ready to conquer challenges in their own businesses.

Make every effort to learn something new every day, week and month. Never let your quest for learning be put on the shelf. And make every effort to be part of any learning experience offered. If you have not attended a local dealer or distributor training, or made plans to attend KnowledgeFest, now is the time. Go with a mission and goal to learn what you lack, share the knowledge and become the professional you were born to be.

ME-Mag January Issue: From the President - Great Expectations for 2019

Begin the New Year with hope for your future and the future of your business.

What have you done today to make your business better for tomorrow? Your business need not be defined by what you did yesterday. Don’t let past mistakes define your future. Learn from, then let go of the past. It really should be defined by what you do today and then strive to repeat those successes going forward. It may be hard to make such bold statements when you remember your past failures. Learning from your own past takes reflection and will serve to produce wisdom that only comes when you have truly experienced failure.

Analyzing Your Past
Take a hard look at your... Read the rest of the story HERE.

MEA Announces First California KnowledgeFest At Town Hall

4-10-2017 -- During the town hall presentation at KnowledgeFest Spring Training in Indianapolis, Ind., Mobile Electronics Association President Chris Cook announced the upcoming dates for the next three KnowledgeFest events, including the first ever California KnowledgeFest event in Feb. 2018.

"We are on a mission to educate, inform and empower the industry... Our next event is going to be in Dallas. It's coming up August 12th through 14th," Cook said. "Our new event is going to be in Long Beach, [Calif.] February 23rd through 25th for all of our West coast friends."

Next year's spring training event will take place March 17 through 19 in the Indianapolis, returning the event to a weekend after taking place at the beginning of the week this year. This year's KnowledgeFest in Dallas will be held at the Dallas Convention Center due to it outgrowing the previous venue. The Omni Hotel will serve as the main hotel for the event and a surprise location has been chosen for the industry awards.

MEA President Chris Cook Interviewed on Sound Advice Radio Show

8-7-2017 -- Chris Cook, president of the Mobile Electronics Association, was interviewed on the Sound Advice radio show on August 8, 2017. The show is broadcast on KVGI in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas. The host of the show is John Schellsmidt, owner of Audio Depot in Dallas.

According to the show's Sound Cloud description, "Sound Advice with your host John Schellsmidt and owner of Audio Depot, brings you all things to know about car audio, music, and electronics. Tune in to listen to his special guests share their knowledge on audio and electronics."

The show is available for listening HERE.

MEA to Launch Connected Car Show at CE Week

Mobile Electronics Association creates focused event for in-vehicle technologies

NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – April 11, 2018 – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) announced it is launching a new technology show and conference in conjunction with the popular CE Week show in New York City. The Connected Car Show will be co-located with CE Week New York and will take place June 20-21 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

The focus of the Connected Car Show will be to bring attention and awareness to changing vehicle technology trends on both the OEM and aftermarket sides of the vehicle, and showcase new technologies that can enhance the drive, whether they are factory- or aftermarket-installed. The exhibit floor will feature innovative companies whose connected-vehicle products currently drive the market.

In the accompanying seminars, a series of thought-provoking panels will explore the future of automotive technology and outline how autonomous technology will change the driving experience. In light of recent events, safety and the driver’s changing role will be key issues. In addition, topics will cover how drivers and passengers interact with the vehicle for comfort, entertainment and information.

The new show complements MEA’s existing KnowledgeFest tradeshow series, which informs, educates and supports the practices of retail establishments and technical professionals in the mobile electronics industry. KnowledgeFest is held in three cities—Long Beach, Calif., Dallas and Indianapolis, Ind.,—in February, March and August, respectively.

“The Connected Car Show gives us a forum in front of the automotive industry and covering media to create dialogue that impacts the future of the driving experience,” said Chris Cook, MEA president. “The exhibiting companies, speakers and attendees all have a vested interest in building or delivering products and features that mesh with evolving trends. We look forward to their participation in this important event.”

For more information, please visit connectedcarshow.com.

About the Mobile Electronics Association

Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) is a trade association comprised of installing dealers and product vendors dedicated to serving the needs of the mobile electronics specialist industry. MEA owns and produces KnowledgeFest®, events in Long Beach, Indianapolis and Dallas that combine educational programming and vendor training with a trade show floor. MEA owns and publishes the monthly Mobile Electronics® magazine, which is the industry’s #1 resource, as well as other digital media, including websites and the industry’s e-newsletter Hotwire. MEA provides software and data-driven services to vendors and retailers.

About CT Lab Global Media:

CT Lab Global Media is the result of a new partnership between IFA, the world’s largest consumer electronics show, and NAPCO Media, a U.S. business-to-business media company, that offers consumer electronics and home appliances brands an unrivaled platform to connect with retailers, manufacturers, distributors, and buying groups. CT Lab Global Media hosts the industry’s most prestigious events, produces the market’s most creative digital experiences, and publishes the consumer technology industry’s premier magazines and newsletters.

November Issue Feature: From the President - Nothing Left to Learn?

If you’ve achieved all the success you can handle, I challenge you to take one more step.

11-27-2017 -- It is easy to become complacent with your success. Doing the same thing year after year that produces the results you expect is a glorious thing, and we should all be as blessed. The question I ask of you today is what determines that you are as successful as you can become? How do you measure it? If your measurement is solely on your own merit and you feel confident that you are doing your best, then your perception may be that you have nothing left to learn. Or do you?

Learning all of life’s lessons takes more than a lifetime. Working every day to become better than you were the day before requires a discovery mindset. If you approach your day and thus your life without this, you are doing yourself and your business a disservice. Why do people stop learning? Too busy, maybe a bit lazy or just apathetic towards learning new things. There is also another, and frankly more dangerous reason. You think you know all you need to know and no one else’s experience can provide you a benefit. This last one is usually tied to a couple of issues: people who are very prideful and those who are insecure. If either of the last two reasons fit you, then I would humbly ask you to reevaluate your motives, let down the walls and find someone you trust to help you grow and learn. You will be glad you did.

If you are thinking about your next step to learning, think no more. When it comes to the Mobile Electronics industry, there are many great opportunities. You could join Facebook groups dedicated to a topic that peaks your interest. You could invite your vendors to visit your store for a training event. Maybe attend a local distributor event that offers some training prospects. Take a few minutes out of your day to read some great business articles, like those you will find in Mobile Electronics magazine. You could also take a few days away from your store to attend a KnowledgeFest event. If you have not been to KnowledgeFest or not attended in the past seven years, there is a lot that can be learned to benefit your store and you personally. You may be thinking, “KnowledgeFest? How am I going learn anything from others in our industry?”

I hear this at every KnowledgeFest event. The same story from many who were eventually proved to be wrong. Retailers that said they had nothing left to learn. Their stores run perfectly and regardless of the topic, they were the expert. This is one of the top reasons retailers choose not to attend an event that teaches them to be better. When I speak to retailers sharing their experience after participating in a KnowledgeFest event, the testimonies are much different.

For example, I spoke to a retailer from Southern California after our most recent event in Dallas. He said that a retailer friend of his guilted him into attending in 2016. He left the event with a renewed passion for our industry and his business. In 2017 he made a greater investment by bringing his staff with him and even closing his store to do it. He now encourages others to do the same. One dealer in the Texas market left the event and completely redesigned his store. He said he had been doing it all wrong for years. His business is experiencing growth that he never thought was attainable. I could go on telling you testimonials of retailers who are doing well and attribute much of it to what they have learned at a KnowledgeFest event.

MEA recently announced that KnowledgeFest will be coming to the West Coast, more specifically, Long Beach, in February of 2018. The challenge in this market will be getting local retailers to realize the value and to attend the event. Vendors have shared with me that the Southern California market is not one to turn out for education and training.

Southern California is a very mature market. Our best estimate puts nearly 750 retail locations within 300 miles of Long Beach. With those numbers, one would expect that any event in the area could draw a crowd.

So here is my challenge to the Southern California retailers. Take the time out of your store on February 23-25, 2018 to discover what other great retailers across North America have found; that what they learn at KnowledgeFest is invaluable to their future success in our industry. Not just for the education and vendor training, but also for the great networking and idea sharing that is part of every event.

If I am wrong about this, I challenge you to prove me wrong. With that said, feel free to contact me, or any retailer you know that has taken valuable time away from their store to grow their business to the next level. Take five minutes now and go to KnowledgeFest.org to review some of the great education topics for the Long Beach event, then register. I hope to see you there!

To register for KnowledgeFest Long Beach, go to http://register.kfest.me/.

The Mobile Electronics Association introduces the all-new Mobile Electronics Show!

North Andover, MA – May 18, 2021 – The Mobile Electronics Association introduces the all-new Mobile Electronics Show! The series premiere, sponsored by Sony, will debut on Tuesday, May 18th at noon Eastern Time. For the first webcast, Mobile Electronics Association president and show host Chris Cook will interview some of the winners from the 2020 Mobile Electronics Industry Awards including Jason Kranitz of Kingpin Car & Marine Audio, Adam Devine of Devine Concepts, Kimberly Trainer of Car-Tunes, and Justin Kush of MTI. There is also a special opening interview with the Sales Pro of the Year, Mike Rundel of Sony.

“The Mobile Electronics Show will be broadcast on YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo and will include great interviews with key players in the Mobile Electronics Industry” said Chris Cook, President of MEA. “Each show will bring to life content from Mobile Electronics Magazine in an infotaining, video podcast format that will feature dealers, manufacturers, distributors and key industry personalities."

For a direct link to the webcast go to http://me-mag.com/me-show.

About the Mobile Electronics Association

Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) is a trade association comprised of installing dealers and product vendors dedicated to serving the needs of the mobile electronics specialist industry. MEA owns and produces KnowledgeFest, regional trade-only industry events that combine educational programming and vendor training with a trade show floor. MEA owns and publishes the monthly Mobile Electronics® magazine, which is the industry’s #1 resource, as well as other digital media, including websites and the industry’s e-newsletter Hotwire. MEA provides software and data-driven services to vendors and retailers. Learn more at mobile-electronics.com.

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