Chris Cook

23 Jun

KnowledgeFest™ Dallas 2020 is Set for September

North Andover, MA – June 23, 2020 – KnowledgeFest™ Dallas, produced by the Mobile Electronics Association (MEA), will be held this Fall, September 25-27, 2020. The event will cover over 100,000 sq. ft. of exhibits, include more than 50 exhibitors representing more than 70 brands, and more than 100 hours of dealer education workshops and vendor sponsored training. Advance registration is open for the event and for the host hotel, Omni Dallas. The Dallas 2019 event had more than 2,000 in attendance. For 2020, MEA is anticipating strong participation albeit not record setting. The Dallas event will add a live element making a must attend either in person or online for education and training.

“KnowledgeFest Dallas is our flagship event” said Chris Cook, President of MEA.“Those attending this year’s event should know that we put their health and safety at the top of our list. We have collected information regarding the best-known processes and procedures designed to provide attendees with a safe and successful education, training, and trade show experience. We look forward to providing all participants an event that allows them to come together and learn from one another.

In addition to the KnowledgeFest event, the highly anticipated Mobile Electronics® Industry Awards will be held Sunday evening September 27th to honor the best of the best for our Industry. The Awards recognize those in the Mobile Electronics industry that exemplify the highest standards of professionalism, business ethics, service, and expertise. More information about the Awards can be found at: https://meindustryawards.com/.

This year MEA was to launch a highly anticipated new event in Orlando. That event is now set to launch in the Spring of 2021. Next year, KnowledgeFest will be coast-to-coast with our new event in Orlando joining our other regional events in Long Beach, Indianapolis and Dallas.” KnowledgeFestis the only industry event devoted exclusively to the mobile specialist, the installing dealer.

For more information and to register for KnowledgeFest, visit KnowledgeFest.org

Upcoming KnowledgeFest events:

September 25-27, 2020 - Dallas, TX
February 12-14, 2021 - Long Beach, CA
April 9-11, 2021 - Indianapolis, IN
June 2021 - Orlando, FL

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.

Media Contact:

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978-645-6434

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23 Jun

Race Sport Lighting Press Release - 3-in-1 Vehicle Protection Kits for your staff and customers

RINGWOOD, IL., June 23, 2020 – Race Sport Lighting is excited to announce the launch of their Race Sport Lighting’s 3-in-1 automotive protection kit. Designed for businesses who service any type of customer vehicles, to provide a simple layer of protection for porters, installers and technicians from potential transmission of germs, bacteria and viruses.

This kit features a recyclable slipcover for three of the most common surfaces technicians come in contact with while servicing a vehicle. One protective cover for the steering wheel, one for the gear shifter and one for the driver’s seat.

“Having a protective barrier between your employees and potentially contaminated surfaces within the vehicle they are servicing, is a simple and effective way to lower employee exposure to germs, bacteria and viruses. As well as giving customers peace of mind that they are not being exposed by the staff servicing their vehicle.” Steve Jergensen, President, Race Sport Lighting.

“To shield the surface, simply stretch the elastic band of the steering wheel and shifter knob cover out over the mechanism. The driver seat cover has a pouch on the back that you simply slip over the headrest. Drape the rest of the cover over the seat. We protect every test vehicle that comes in during our intake procedure.” Mac Gracia, Installation & Tech Support, Race Sport Lighting.

3-in-1 Automotive Protection kits are in stock and shipping in cases of 100 for your average dealer, or 1000 for large dealerships or WD Distributors to sell to their active dealership base.

More Information and Resources on this NEW Product below:

Racesportinc.com: https://www.racesportinc.com/catalogsearch/result/?cat=&q=3wpg1k

Video: https://youtu.be/abZclbCGaMA

Blog: http://racesportnation.com/3n1-automotive-protection/

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Race Sport Lighting

18 Jun

ME-Mag Editorial: From the President - Learn from your Experience

Thursday, 18 June 2020

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

In the midst of a pandemic, we must apply lessons learned to ensure the survival of our businesses for the future.

Experience is the best teacher—although the test is given first, and then the learning begins. Like many of you, I run a small business. The Mobile Electronic Association is considered a small business by any standard. We have just a few team members who do an incredible job serving you as a member of the association. Our mission is to educate, inform and empower you to succeed in your business. We do this not out of obligation, but out of love for the industry. That industry is you! Many of the calls, emails and messages we get from you relate to support you need to make the right decisions. For example, as a member, you may be using our point-of-sale software. As a result, you may need to know how to do something to improve your experience with that software. However, member inquiries for support go far beyond software. That’s what I would like to address now.

As your industry association, we are here to help. Over the past couple of months, we have answered your questions for a myriad of things. Lately the inquiries have focused in two important areas. How do I get the Paycheck Protection or Economic Injury loans? How do I create a safe environment for my team members as we seek to reopen or maintain our business in this new COVID-19 environment? While there are other inquiries, I wanted to take a moment and discuss these two.

Many of you had to make tough decisions recently regarding your business. You may have been forced to consider the possibility of going out of business. You had to consider the reality of furloughing some or all your team. You’ve had to institute new policies and procedures to create a safer environment for your team and your customers. As a business owner, these decisions were on top of all the normal pressures you deal with day-to-day just keeping the doors open. Adding to all these pressures, you have a personal life and family to consider.

Then comes the need. Regardless of your rainy-day fund, I have encouraged all of you to apply for small business assistance. That included having your team apply for unemployment insurance. My advice was not based solely on the financial strength of your business. It was based on an outside force (the government) making decisions that directly inhibited your ability and the ability of your team to earn a living. And for that reason alone, you and your business merit the compensation. I know that this can be a real confidence killer. Do not let your pride keep you from collecting what is rightfully yours.

Some of you have never had to file for unemployment benefits, and just the thought of it can be unsettling. Requesting a loan is also a tough decision. Again, some of you have never had to do this. Speaking directly to both of those issues, I will tell you this: You are not asking for help and you are not relying on the government for assistance. You are requesting compensation from the source of the downturn in your business. Think of it as your insurance. If you had damages, you would file a claim. The same rule applies. Do what you must to sustain your business.

As you do this, another issue arises. How do we go forward with the new normal, and what does this mean? I do not think any of us knows for sure. This is where our industry truly excels. We have gone through many changes and always find a way to continue. This challenge should be no different. There are a few things to consider, including the safety of you and your team, and the safety of your customers. Starting with what you can control, you should outline best practices for your business. Review the CDC and OSHA websites as well as your state guidelines and local ordinances. This will take a bit of time, but it’s necessary to know what you must do to remain in compliance. Once you are familiar, draft a plan of operation. Then communicate it to your managers to elicit feedback. With buy-in from everyone, share it with your team members. Support these efforts with visuals. For example, put specific guidelines in specific areas. The breakroom comes to mind. Limit access and have a process for cleaning. Another important area is the showroom. Locked and by appointment may be necessary. Make sure your team knows what to do, where to do it and executes the plan one hundred percent.

Then make sure your customers know you have put procedures in place for their safety. This is a marketing message and should in the short-term be over-emphasized. Make the message a positive one. Let them know you are ready to provide them with the best products and service to help them make the most of their summer drive-time. With your new normal in place, proceed with caution and make the most of every customer experience. As an industry, we provide great technology with professional installation. Deliver it with confidence, and do your best for everyone involved.

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

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29 May

ME-Mag Editors Forum: Open for Business

Friday, 29 May 2020

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

As we all adjust to new safety guidelines and precautionary measures, this should be the message from every retail store.

After speaking at the Car Media Convention in Germany on February 16 of this year, I found myself wondering if this virus could affect our industry and our nation. If so, what kind of disruptions could it cause? Just a few weeks later on March 11, I spoke at the GoFast event in New England. I noticed great trepidation from exhibitors and attendees as to how they should interact with one another. Some greeted each other by nodding from a distance. Others offered a fist-bump, and some just embraced with a firm handshake or brotherly hug as if nothing had changed. This was my first real indication that something was seriously wrong. That night after the New England event, I had a long dinner with some well-respected members of the mobile electronics industry. Much of our conversation focused on what might happen next. For me, this marked the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each day, news reports sounded worse. The future began to look bleak with little information to allay our worst fears. Stock markets reeled, the medical industry panicked and the news media did little to provide perspective. It felt like a swift kick in the gut. I am sure we all have a story to tell of how this nightmare left us feeling a bit more than unnerved. Long days turned into even longer weeks. Months have gone by.

Then Came the Waiting

Day after day, I listened to the news looking for bright spots and pitfalls. The latter was more prevalent. The frustrating part for me was the lack of good information and the wealth of disinformation. Then can the closures of non-essential businesses. That was a watershed moment that required us at MEA to start gathering information on what was deemed essential. Once we understood it, we could share information with the industry to help businesses stay open if they wanted to.

Next came the potential of getting Small Business Association loans, both Economic Injury and Paycheck Protection. This seemed to hang in the U.S. Congress for an eternity. And once it was approved, MEA acted and provided several webinars to help understand a process none of us had ever experienced. I felt extremely disappointed at the first round and the mishandling by some financial institutions. The second round of funding seemed to be more focused on those in need. As of this writing, many of you have received funds to shore up your business. I am happy we were able to help.

Is Your Business Essential?

Finding out what defined an essential business led us to understand the Department of Homeland Security Identification of Essential Infrastructure. We reviewed each state and province to understand their interpretation. Here’s my personal take on “essential businesses.” Governments and thus politicians have a way of deeming businesses essential that has nothing to do with how I feel about the topic. Essential, to me, is any business that produces income for you and your team to provide for them and their families. What is non-essential to others has little to do with what you need to fulfill your obligations and live your life. I hope we never again see a day where any of us are deemed non-essential. For those of you who listed your business as vehicle repair, you had proof that met the criteria. For those of you listed as such, I recommend you take the time to update your listing with your state to make sure you never have to deal with this again. While I know business may have been down for many of you, I was happy to see a large majority were able to stay open and keep doing business.

The Next Phase: Reopening

The Federal Government set out an approach for reopening that provided guidelines which some states followed. Others made more cautious plans, while still others took the opportunity to oppress many struggling businesses with restrictions based more on fear than facts. I get that we are all learning through this. I do not suggest throwing caution to the wind, but I do think all voices should be represented and heard in a free society. I fear we have become complacent in allowing social and traditional news media define what is appropriate. I hope one day we can all feel free to speak our minds without hesitation and fear of retaliation.

Today, I am glad to hear many retailers are having an experience similar to Black Friday due in part to stimulus checks and pent-up demand, coupled with seasonal uptick—and, I believe, a desire to drive rather than fly this summer. Hopefully, we all experience this rush. It will go a long way to making up for losses suffered over the past couple of months. Stay safe and healthy. I look forward to seeing everyone in person at out next event!

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

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19 May

ME-Mag Editors Forum: Searching for a Silver Lining in the Storm Clouds

Tuesday, 19 May 2020

Finding hope for our industry in this most critical time

by Chris Cook

Ask me what is on my mind and you may get an earful of what I believe and how I think things will play out. The reality: None of us knows how things will turn out. Right now, I am more interested in our future as a country and more specifically, as the mobile electronics industry. I am humbled and honored to serve as the president of the Mobile Electronics Association (MEA), especially at this period in our history.

At MEA, we are doing everything in our power to help mobile electronics specialty retailers sustain their businesses. We created www.MEAhelp.com as an effort to aggregate important information critical to our industry’s survival during this time. Please take a moment right now to review and let us know if there is anything more we can provide to assist you.

Education and Training Resources

Since this crisis started, we have been busy with meetings, webinars and gathering important resources to help the industry. Every Friday we meet with a group of industry leaders which includes manufacturers, distributors and other industry associations. During our meetings, we discuss the week’s events, learn from one another and consider ways as a group to sustain our industry during this crisis. I can say firsthand that if you are a retailer in this industry, your suppliers have your best interests in mind and at heart.

Another group we meet with weekly are sales representatives. They are on the frontlines and your best resource for information on the goings-on of your suppliers. They, too, lend their wisdom to the discussion of supporting the specialty retailer.

One of the positive results of this crisis is the near endless amount of education and training being delivered via webinars. The entire schedule can be found at MEAhelp.com under Education and Training Resources. If you are a supplier, we have a quick and easy link to submit your event and gain more attendees. Look for this website to become the new place for all things education and training—your best resource from the association that brings you KnowledgeFest!

MEA Webinars to Help You Through the Crisis

Since we launched this resource, MEA has provided hours of education to help specialty retailers through this crisis. Most notably, we have hosted several webinars on the Small Business Association Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster (EID) Loan programs. These webinars and many more are viewable on-demand at MEAhelp.com.

Just as important are the weekly MEA Retail Owner & Manager webinars that have covered topics such as: How to establish and maintain your business as an essential business, how to stay connected to your customers and community, how to create consumer-facing videos to keep your customers feeling safe when doing business at your retail location, and understanding the new sales process as we reopen our society. These important webinars will continue for the near future to assist our industry as we all learn together how best to adapt in this ever-changing environment. If there is a topic you feel we as your industry association should be teaching, please take a moment and contact us at the email provided on MEAhelp.com.

Looking Toward the Future Together

MEA will continue to provide the latest and best information we can find to assist you in sustaining your business. We are committed to helping you strengthen your business as we move from stay-at-home orders to emerging with a new and focused purpose.

As you finish reading, I encourage you to look toward the future. A future that enables us to come together with a renewed purpose. Personally, I look forward to being together once again at a future KnowledgeFest event. I greatly miss seeing all of you and hearing the inspiring stories of how you learned and applied new knowledge gleaned from education workshops, manufacturer trainings, and some of my favorites, just hanging out with your peers at great networking events. Until that time comes, please stay safe and healthy. Also, let us know if there is anything we can do to help in any area of your business. Know that MEA is here for you as your Industry’s #1 Resource!

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

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06 May

MEA Weekly Webinar - Selling with Confidence Until - Remembering that YOU are the Expert.

North Andover, MA – May 5, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association to hold a webinar Thursday, May 7th at 4:00pm Eastern Time

KnowledgeFest Speaker and Mobile Electronics Sales Pro of the Year, Elias Ventura of Virginia based Safe and Sound Electronics. He will present:

Selling with Confidence: Remembering that you are the Expert

Do you know everything there is to know about all the gear you sell, but still find yourself selling the gear the customer wants, instead of what he really needs? Lack of assertive confidence during the sales conversation often costs you the sale, or worse, creates a dissatisfied customer. Join us to learn more about how to turn your knowledge into more dollars and bigger smiles. You ARE the expert.

This is meeting is designed for store owner, managers and sales professionals.

Join Chris Cook of MEA and our special guest speaker as we provide the marketing tools you need to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis

We will take your questions and share knowledge to help everyone through this challenge.

Register by [Clicking Here]

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27 Apr

MEA Weekly Webinar - Top Class Clarity: Getting Clear on Your Business Vision

North Andover, MA – April 28, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association to hold a webinar Thursday, April 30th at 4:00pm Eastern Time

KnowledgeFest Speaker and noted Author, Tomas Keenan of Top Class Installations, Inc. presents:

No one talks about the fight to retain employees, and how they want to get out of the cycle of desperate decision making. No one talks about hemorrhaging money or the deep fears running a business can cause. Until now. Tomas Keenan eradicates confusion and the common yet secret fears every businessperson faces, using a proven and profitable method. After years of refining what works for his company, Tomas reveals the three main components of a properly structured vision and why they’re paramount to your success. This is the secret sauce that takes you from working too hard on the wrong aims to increasing your efficiency, establishing pipelines and turbo-charging your revenue.

This is meeting is designed for store owner, managers and sales professionals.

Join Chris Cook of MEA and our special guest speaker as we provide the marketing tools you need to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis

We will take your questions and share knowledge to help everyone through this challenge.

Register by [Clicking Here]

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22 Apr

MEA Weekly Webinar - The Buyer Seller Dance & How to Take the Lead

North Andover, MA – April 23, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association to hold a webinar Thursday, April 23rd at 4:00pm Eastern Tim

Learn that in every selling situation, someone is leading, and someone is following. When the buyer leads, we give away too much information and get next to nothing in return. When the seller leads, we learn what the buyer really needs, and why, and then sell them the correct solution. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to know who’s in control, and comfortably and seamlessly become the leader to achieve more of the results you want.

Learn important marketing techniques to use while your business is closed or your customer traffic is reduced.

Learn how to stay connected to your customers and your community during this time of crisis.

This is meeting is designed for store owner, managers and sales professionals.

Join Chris Cook of MEA and our special guest speaker as we provide the marketing tools you need to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis

We will take your questions and share knowledge to help everyone through this challenge.

Register by [Clicking Here]

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16 Apr

Join a Celebration of Life for Jay Kent

Join a Celebration of Life for Jay Kent Thursday, April 16th at 9:00pm Eastern Time Moderated by Mark Miller, Owner - Westminster Speed & Sound.

Register by [Clicking Here]

Tips to set you up for a good call:

Be in an area with little or no background noise.
Please use a good-quality camera if available.
Clear any items in the background to reduce distractions.
Position yourself to be in the center of the camera frame and refrain from distractions.
Have a light on to the front of you to light your face.
Use a high-quality microphone and position yourself close to it. And speak up and enunciate when speaking.

IMPORTANT: If you dial in using your phone, you must disable your computer microphone and speakers

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Jay Kent

15 Apr

MEA Webinar Today - 5 Star Car Audio Presents

North Andover, MA – April 16, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association to hold a webinar Thursday, April 16th at 4:00pm Eastern Time.

Don't wait for the Nation to reopen to figure out how to market your business. Create your "Digital Business Card" TODAY!!

Learn from a couple of social media masters how to create high impact videos designed to make a lasting impression on your customers.

Understand the best ways to communicate that you and your business are prepared to take the extra care and time to thoroughly clean the vehicle prior to pickup. Also making your customer comfortable with your procedures for drop-off, pick-up, payment and demonstration of their purchase.

Learn important marketing techniques to use while your business is closed or your customer traffic is reduced.

Learn how to stay connected to your customers and your community during this time of crisis.

This is meeting is designed for store owner and managers and we will discuss what all this means for you and your business.

Join Chris Cook of MEA and our special guest speakers as we provide the marketing tools you need to navigate through the COVID-19 crisis.

We will take your questions and share knowledge to help everyone through this challenge.

Register by [Clicking Here]

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07 Apr

MEA Webinar Today - CARES Act 2020 and the Paycheck Protection Program

North Andover, MA – April 7, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association to hold a webinar on the CARES Act 2020 and the Paycheck Protection Program - Learn How to Access Your Share of the $2.2 Trillion presented by Hilb Group of New England on Tuesday, April 7th at 3:00pm Eastern Time.

In this session, Hilb Group's benefits attorney, Suzanne D'Amato, Esq. will provide an overview of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Stimulus Act of 2020 (CARES Act 2020) along with further details about the Paycheck Protection Program and how you can access some of the $340 Billion in forgivable loans that are available to help you defray payroll, benefits and operating expenses.

Register by [Clicking Here]

Biography:

Suzanne D’Amato
The Hilb Group of New England -- Warwick, RI

Suzanne D’Amato joined the company in 2015 as an in-house ERISA and Employee Benefits Attorney. Suzanne assists Hilb Group clients in navigating legal and compliance issues relating to their employee benefit plans, including Affordable Care Act compliance.

Prior to joining Hilb Group, Suzanne served as General Counsel to a technology company in the recruitment advertising space, where she oversaw the development and administration of an OFCCP compliance solution and advised company executives on day-to-day legal matters. Previously, Suzanne was an ERISA Associate in the Compensation and Benefits group of two New York City law firms, where her practice focused on employee benefits and qualified retirement plans, including the drafting, implementation, operation, and termination of plans; plan qualification; plan administration; and ERISA litigation involving the representation of multi-employer pension and welfare funds in benefit claim and collection actions.

Suzanne holds a B.S. in Health Systems Management from University of Connecticut and a J.D. from University of Connecticut School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the State and Federal courts of Connecticut.

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07 Apr

MEAhelp.com Lists Online Training Opportunities for Retailers

Mobile Electronics Alert - North Andover, MA – April 7, 2020: The Mobile Electronics Association is providing a list of online training opportunities at www.MEAhelp.com as a centralized resource for the Mobile Electronics Industry. Got to MEAhelp.com for more information.

This resource will be updated frequenlty with infomation about: Vital Resources for Retailers, COVID-19 Health Information, Federal & State Resources and Education & Training Events.

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31 Mar

SiriusXM Offers Free Access To Streaming Service Through May 15

With millions currently staying home, SiriusXM opens access in North America via the SiriusXM app and at SiriusXM.com/streamfree
Announcement made by Howard Stern broadcasting from his home.

Featuring 300+ channels of news and information, entertainment, escape, and companionship across ad-free music channels, plus channels of live news, faith-based content, comedy, sports talk, politics, and on demand content.

New #StayHome Radio channel brings happy, feel-good music
The Billy Joel Channel and Dave Matthews Band Radio channels return, plus The Top 1000 (songs) Channel.

NEW YORK, March 31, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- SiriusXM and Howard Stern today announced that starting today through May 15, SiriusXM will start offering free access to its full lineup of Premier Streaming content to listeners in North America. Howard kicked off the unprecedented Stream Free access this morning while hosting The Howard Stern Show, on channel 100, from his home.

SiriusXM Select and All Access subscribers already have access to this great content included with their subscriptions. Anyone who is not already a SiriusXM subscriber can download the SiriusXM app or go to SiriusXM.com/streamfree, and start listening free of charge, with no credit card or commitment required.

"With so many people asked to stay at home, we are making our full streaming lineup of music, entertainment, news and information easily accessible to everyone," said Jim Meyer, SiriusXM CEO. "In the days ahead, we hope it's a valuable source of information or diversion, a generous mix of fresh live content, and a source of companionship that comes from the hosts on our many shows and channels. And there was no better way to launch the Stream Free content than with Howard this morning."

Listeners will have free access to more than 300 channels of dynamic programming, featuring the acclaimed TheHoward Stern Show, hundreds of exclusive ad-free music channels, and vital news and information sources. SiriusXM is also adding entirely new curated content, and bringing back some beloved music channels by top artists.

#StayHome Radio, a feel-good, ad-free music channel, will launch April 1 on the streaming platform and channel 179 on most SiriusXM radios. The channel will feature happy and uplifting songs from artists like Lizzo and Coldplay to P!nk and Bob Marley.

And as people spend time at home, SiriusXM is bringing back The Billy Joel Channel, Dave Matthews Band Radio, and a new channel full of the Top 1000 songs across multiple genres, all available on the SiriusXM app, connected devices, as well as most SiriusXM radios, starting April 1.

Billy Joel's exclusive SiriusXM channel, The Billy Joel Channel, features music spanning his decades-long career, including songs from his live and studio albums, and Billy telling exclusive stories about his music and career. Throughout the month, the channel will also air Billy Joel: An Evening of Questions and Answers…and a little music too, which was recorded last year in Miami at the Faena Theater. It can be heard on the SiriusXM app in the Rock category and on SiriusXM radios on channel 30.

Dave Matthews Band Radio will include music from the band's extensive career, along with exclusive, never-before-heard interview content, and encore airings and highlights from Dave's recent Pay It Forward: Live performance streamed from his home and simulcast live on SiriusXM. Dave's "live from home" performance can be heard in full Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET / 2 p.m. PT, Thursday at 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT, Friday at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT, and through the weekend. The channel will also bring back the Friday Night Concert Series, featuring a complete show from the archives every Friday night at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT. While the band is off the road, the Friday Night Concert Series will feature standout shows including the band's 2018 and 2019 tour, originally heard live exclusively on SiriusXM. Dave Matthews Band Radio can be heard on the SiriusXM app in the Rock category and on SiriusXM radios initially on channel 176.

The Top 1000 Channel will bring a new genre countdown every two weeks, kicking off with the top 1000 Classic Rock Songs and followed by the top 1000 Oldies songs, Alternative Rock songs (80s to today), Country songs, RnB songs, Hard Rock songs and Hip-Hop songs. It can be heard on the SiriusXM app and on most SiriusXM radios on channel 177.

SiriusXM's ad-free music channels offer a wide variety of choices, from favorites The Highway, SiriusXM Hits 1 and our decades channels, to artist-backed channels such as The Beatles Channel, The Garth Channel, Pearl Jam Radio, Grateful Dead Channel, LL COOL J's Rock The Bells Radio, Bruce Springsteen's E Street Radio, and Eminem's Shade 45.

There are also many additional online-only music channels, including more than 100 Xtra music channels, curated for any mood, occasion or activity, as well as music channels geared toward "relaxing-at-home" listening, such as SiriusXM Chill, Watercolors, and SiriusXM Coffee House. SiriusXM music channels are home to more than 200 channel hosts who serve as trusted companions to millions in North America currently in their homes.

Listeners also get live news from major outlets such as CNN, FOX News, CNBC, MSNBC and BBC World Service, and valuable information from channels such as Doctor Radio powered by NYU Langone Health, and Business Radio. There are also inspirational and faith-based channels, multiple channels of comedy, dynamic sports talk such as Mad Dog Sports Radio, and more.

SiriusXM's entertainment channels include Radio Andy and SiriusXM Stars, featuring daily live shows covering the latest in pop culture, celebrities, lifestyle, and more. Listeners can tune in to hear live shows from SiriusXM hosts including Andy Cohen, Jenny McCarthy, Jess Cagle, Jeff Lewis, Bevy Smith, Michelle Collins and more.

The SiriusXM app also offers additional features such as SiriusXM video, Personalized Stations Powered by Pandora that listeners can curate themselves, and an On Demand library with more than 10,000 hours of archived shows, exclusive music performances, interviews and audio documentaries.

The SiriusXM app is available on mobile phones, tablets and computers, as well as on a wide variety of connected devices in the home including smart TVs, devices with Amazon Alexa or the Google Assistant, Apple TV, PlayStation, Roku, Sonos speakers and more.

About SiriusXM

Sirius XM Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: SIRI) is the leading audio entertainment company in the U.S., and the premier programmer and platform for subscription and digital advertising-supported audio products. Pandora, a subsidiary of SiriusXM, is the largest ad-supported audio entertainment streaming service in the U.S. SiriusXM and Pandora together reach more than 100 million people each month with their audio products. SiriusXM, through Sirius XM Canada Holdings, Inc., also offers satellite radio and audio entertainment in Canada. In addition to its audio entertainment businesses, SiriusXM offers connected vehicle services to automakers and directly to consumers through aftermarket devices. For more about SiriusXM, please go to: www.siriusxm.com.

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30 Mar

MEA to Hold Retail Owner & Manager Weekly Webinar

North Andover, MA – March 31, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association will hold a Retail Owner & Manager Roundtable on Thursday, April 2nd at 4:00pm Eastern Time.

Learn what the new legislation means for you as a Mobile Electronics Retailer. Special guest to be announced.

Join Chris Cook of MEA as we provide updates on the impact of COVID-19 on the Mobile Electronics industry.

This is meeting is designed for store owner and managers and we will discuss what the new legislation means for you and your business.

Guest panelist will take your questions and share their knowledge to help everyone through this challenge.

If you are a retail store owner or manager [Click Here] to register.

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MEA

30 Mar

MEAhelp.com Launched as Resource for Mobile Electronics Industry

Mobile Electronics Alert - North Andover, MA – March 30, 2020:

The Mobile Electronics Association announces the launch of www.MEAhelp.com as a resource for the Mobile Electronics Industry.

This resource will be updated frequenlty with infomation about: Vital Resources for Retailers, COVID-19 Health Information, Federal & State Resources and Education & Training Events.

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30 Mar

Small Business Association (SBA) for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Relief

Mobile Electronics Alert - North Andover, MA – March 30, 2020:

The below link is for applying through the Small Business Association (SBA) for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Relief. This is a short form (5 screens) that can be completed online in a few minutes. MEA recommends that all members that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus apply for this relief.

You will need the following information:

1. Business Tax ID or Social Security number

2. Total Sales for the period from 2/1/2019 through 1/31/2020

3. Total COGS (Cost of Goods Sold - which is only what you pay for products for resale) for the same period (2/1/19-1/31/20)**

4. Total Operating Expenses (Total of everything else you paid not including the COGS) for same period (2/1/19-1/31/20)**

5. The date the business was established (usually date of incorporated) and current ownership is the same if it has not changed

6. Select “Automotive Repair” activity and “Automotive – Parts. Accessories” for detailed

7. Number of employees you had employed as of 1/31/2020

8. You will need the full name, address, DOB and social security number of each owner of the business and the % of ownership they have

9. Bank name, account number and routing number

**As long as you use a good faith effort in compiling the information, the government is most likely to forgive some errors.

To Start Your Application Click the Button [CLICK HERE]

When completed you will be assigned an application number and receive an email for additional information needed once your application is processed. Currently there is not a way to edit the information once submitted.

Visit MEAHelp.com for more tips on what other information you may need.

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25 Mar

Mobile Electronics Association to Hold Retail Owner & Manager Roundtable

North Andover, MA – March 26, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association will hold a Retail Owner & Manager Roundtable on Thursday, March 26th at 4:00pm Eastern Time.

The moderator (Chris Cook of MEA) will provide updates on the impact of COVID-19 on the Mobile Electronics industry.

Some of the top KnowledgeFest instuctors will take your questions and share their knowledge to help everyone through this challenge.

Panelists for the webinar are Tomas Keenan -Top Class Installations, Jason Kranitz - Kingpin University, Bryan Schmitt - Mobile Solutions, Andy Wehmeyer - Audiofrog U

This is meeting is designed for store owner and managers and will discuss issues and opportunities regarding business operations.

If you are a retail store owner or manager [Click Here] to register.

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MEA

04 Mar

KnowledgeFest Indianapolis Sets New Records

NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – March 4, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) announced that its Indianapolis KnowledgeFest event has become the fastest-growing of the three current events (Long Beach, Calif., Indianapolis, Dallas), based on pre-registration numbers to date. The exhibit space is sold out for the event and an additional hotel was contracted to meet the increased demand. KnowledgeFest Indianapolis is celebrating its sixth year as a regional trade-only education conference and exhibition. More than 1,200 industry experts are expected to attend.

Since KnowledgeFest is a domestic event, it will not be cancelled or rescheduled as a result of the coronavirus concern. There is only one known case (Chicago) within 350 miles of Indianapolis and the convention center is taking precautions by providing continuous cleaning and disinfecting of exposed surfaces, hand-sanitizing stations throughout the facility, and posted reminders about best sanitary practices.

Upcoming KnowledgeFest Dates:

Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, March 27-29, 2020

NEW for 2020! Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, May 15-17, 2020

Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, August 14-16, 2020

Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, California, February 12-14, 2021

About KnowledgeFest

KnowledgeFest is now coast to coast. Its four regional trade-only events cover the eastern, southeastern, central and western US and Canada. KnowledgeFest combines a tradeshow floor with educational programming and training for dealers. KnowledgeFest is the only industry event dedicated to the mobile specialist, the installing dealer. For more information and to register to attend, go to www.knowledgefest.org. For exhibitor sales, contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.\" style="color: #000000;">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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.

24 Feb

KnowledgeFest Long Beach Established as Premiere West Coast Event for the Mobile Electronics Industry

NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – February 24, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) today announced KnowledgeFest™, in its third year at the Long Beach Convention Center, marked another success for education and training. Attendance was more than 1,500 industry professionals, including over 1,000 retailers and distributors. This year the event provided over 30 hours of educational workshops, including three additional sessions in Spanish. Also new for this year were three educational sessions focused on Fleet Safety technologies led by published author and business management expert Tomas Keenan. Key exhibiting companies provided education about new products and services with a record-setting 70 hours of manufacturer training.

“The decision was made three years ago to bring premium industry education to the west coast with the first KnowledgeFest in Long Beach,” said Chris Cook, MEA president. “Through the consistent effort of local reps, manufacturers and retailers who have attended our other Knowledgefest events, we have been able to educate local retailers on the benefits of our curriculum, training and networking. The collective hard work has paid off, and exhibitor space selection for the 2021 event finished with over 90% of the available exhibit space chosen. This includes several new exhibitors.”

Coming up next month, March 27-29, KnowledgeFest sets its sights on Indianapolis in a Friday-through-Sunday event at the Indiana Convention Center. KnowledgeFest 2020 will then continue with a new event in Orlando Florida May 15-17 and then concludes the 2020 season with its Dallas event: August 12-14 at the Dallas Convention Center.

“The Indianapolis show and education conference continues to be one of our fastest-growing events,” added Cook. “Attendee pre-registration is up 50 percent to date over the previous year. Our 2020 show floor is nearly sold out. We’re looking forward to a great show in Indy, and an exciting first foray into the southeast with the new Orlando show.”

Upcoming KnowledgeFest Dates:

Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, March 27-29, 2020
NEW for 2020! Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Florida, May 15-17, 2020
Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, August 14-16, 2020
Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, California, February 12-14, 2021

About KnowledgeFest

KnowledgeFest is now coast to coast. Its four regional trade-only events cover the eastern, southeastern, central and western US and Canada. KnowledgeFest combines a tradeshow floor with educational programming and training for dealers. KnowledgeFests are the only industry events dedicated to the mobile specialist, the installing dealer. For more information and to register to attend, go to www.knowledgefest.org.

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.

24 Jan

Mobile Electronics® Magazine Announces 2020 Digital Strategy

Mobile Electronics® Magazine Announces 2020 Digital Strategy

Interactive digital format to become more smartphone ready

North Andover, MA (January 23, 2020) – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA), producer of Mobile Electronics magazine, announced today a new strategy that will focus on its digital publication which has more than 1.5 million impressions since the digital service first launched a few years ago.

For more than 35 years, Mobile Electronics magazine has been the industry’s premier information and education publication, including current topics like Real World Retail, What’s Happening, Difference Makers, Strategy and Tactics and Tech Today. None of that will change, and it will continue as a monthly publication featuring its rich content.

As a digital focused publication, Mobile Electronics magazine will deliver more timely information while tracking which content is more interesting to the readers and provide quick links to advertiser websites and other valuable resources. The magazine will feature KnowledgeFest supplements (Long Beach, Indianapolis, Orlando and Dallas) with timely content of the latest information for each event.

“We have a new challenge to leverage faster, more interactive and more vibrant mediums to educate, inform and empower you (our readers),” stated Solomon Daniels, Mobile ElectronicsÒ editor-in-chief. “The book format will evolve into something else that will be more intuitive to electronic formats; we will be able to gauge your opinions in real time, share your advice one day, so other retailers can implement it the next day,” Daniels concluded.

“The economics of printing and mailing any publication, along with the increasing number of readers who prefer to access it from their smart phone, justifies this targeted approach,” said Chris Cook, President of Mobile Electronics Association. “Now,” Cook continued, “we can establish valuable partnerships with other magazines and associations to cost effectively increase our circulation.”

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.