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.

Mobile Electronics Association Reports KnowledgeFest® Long Beach a Success

Year-Over-Year Growth Continues

NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – March 2, 2018 – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) reported the launch of its weekend KnowledgeFest® event in Long Beach, California was a success. Long Beach is now the third event in its KnowledgeFest series. The other two 2018 events are in Indianapolis (March 16-18) and Dallas (August 17-19).

This first-time event held in the Long Beach Convention Center attracted more than 1,100 attendees, including more than 760 dealers from California, the surrounding states, and Canada, as well as attendees from five other countries. Forty-five exhibitors covered more than 45,000 square feet of sold-out exhibit space.

KnowledgeFest Long Beach featured more than 30 hours of educational programming for retailers covering installation, management and sales topics. Manufacturer trainings totaled 60 hours. Programming was packed and, for several sessions, standing room only.

“MEA was pleased and excited to bring KnowledgeFest to dealers not only in Southern California, but the entire west coast,” said Chris Cook, MEA president. “In making this decision to bring our unique KnowledgeFest programming to the region, we got buy-in from the major manufacturers headquartered in SoCal and we carefully evaluated locations and venues. We are grateful to all the manufacturers in the specialist channel who supported the event by exhibiting and to the dealers who turned out to experience our unique offering. We’ll be back in the Long Beach Convention Center’s Hall C next year on February 22-24.”

KnowledgeFest is three regional events covering the eastern, 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 go to www.knowledgefest.org.

2018/19 KnowledgeFest Dates:

• Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, March 16-18, 2018
• Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, August 17-19, 2018
• Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, California, February 22-24, 2019

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.

# # #

5-3-2017 -- The Mobile Electronics Industry Awards 2017 are officially underway with nominations now open. The awards celebrate companies and individuals that best exemplify the highest standards of quality and service excellence. Winners represent the industry at-large to consumers and act as ideal examples to better their peers within the industry.

To begin the nomination process, click the following link and follow the steps: CLICK HERE. 

This awards process begins with the selection of nominees through industry voting. The two main categories of retailers and installers are narrowed down to the "Top 50," then through peer and consumer voting, the list is narrowed to the “Top 12” retailers and installers, and these finalists submit materials to be judged by Mobile Electronics magazine’s editors and select industry judges. The winners are chosen and announced at a special awards ceremony during the Mobile Electronics Group KnowledgeFest event in August.

In addition to those categories, other industry professionals are recognized for their outstanding service. Those categories include Most Improved Retail Chain, Best Customer Retention Program, Expeditor of the Year and new to this year's awards, Salesperson of the Year. 

"It’s been a while coming, but as of this year, the Industry Awards will recognize the in-store individuals who are most responsible for bringing in the revenue and filling up the bay," according to a statement on the official website, meindustryawards.com. "Sales professionals can submit their nomination videos and let indusrty peers and their customers vote for them." 

Additional awards are given for vendors and sales representatives. Vendors and representatives nominate themselves to be included in the industry voting and submit videos and other materials to encourage industry professionals to vote for them. Then the three top vote-getters in each category are considered finalists, with the winner announced at KnowledgeFest.

To learn more about the Industry Awards, visit meindustryawards.com. 

North Andover, MA – July 21, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics Industry Awards for 2020 are officially underway with nominations closing today, Wednesday, July 22, 2020. The awards celebrate companies and individuals that best exemplify the highest standards of quality and service excellence. Winners represent the industry at-large to consumers and act as ideal examples to better their peers within the industry.

To sumbit your nomination, click the following link and follow the steps: CLICK HERE. 

This awards process begins with the selection of nominees through industry voting. The three main categories of retailers, sales professionals and installers are narrowed down to the "Top 50 (Top 20 for Sales Pros)," then through peer and consumer voting, the list is narrowed to the “Top 12” retailers, sales professionals and installers, and these finalists submit materials to be judged by a select and trusted panel of industry judges. The winners are chosen and announced at a special awards ceremony during the Mobile Electronics Association's KnowledgeFest event in September.

In addition to those categories, other industry professionals are recognized for their outstanding service. Those categories can be reviewed at https://meindustryawards.com/. 

"It’s been a while coming, but as of this year, the Industry Awards will recognize the in-store individuals who are most responsible for bringing in the revenue and filling up the bay," according to a statement on the official website, meindustryawards.com. "Sales professionals can submit their nomination videos and let indusrty peers and their customers vote for them." 

Additional awards are given for vendors and sales representatives. Vendors and representatives nominate themselves to be included in the industry voting and submit videos and other materials to encourage industry professionals to vote for them. Then the three top vote-getters in each category are considered finalists, with the winner announced at KnowledgeFest.

To learn more about the Industry Awards, visit https://meindustryawards.com/. 

‘Mobile Electronics Association’ to provide strong branding, kick off membership campaign

NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – July 6, 2016 – Mobile Electronics® has approved a new name to represent the membership component of its industry offerings. Mobile Electronics Association™ (MEA) and its new logo will stand alongside KnowledgeFest®, the educational element, and the trade publication Mobile Electronics® magazine. In addition, a new website, join-mea.com, will provide retailers and vendors with information on the benefits of membership.
The Mobile Electronics Association is a vertically-integrated association with over 1,100 dealers, installers and manufacturers as its members. MEA provides a forum and voice for the mobile specialist channel and manages shared business resources and solutions for its retail members. In addition, through integration with Mobile Electronics magazine and KnowledgeFest, MEA promotes education and peer networking to advance the professionalism and profitability of the industry.
“In 2014 we officially retired the MERA (Mobile Electronics Retailers Association) brand and consolidated our three entities under the Mobile Electronics corporate brand,” said Chris Cook, president. “And while Mobile Electronics magazine and KnowledgeFest retained strong recognition, the identity of the membership was lost in the shuffle. MEA is a strong identity that also represents a broadened approach to membership.”
MEA will work to include all parts of the mobile electronics industry, welcoming vendors, retailers and service providers as members, while leaving the door open for other service and technology providers that significantly impact the market. The goal of the association is to increase participation and provide a better platform for networking and sharing of information through a diverse membership environment.
The new logo will be presented at the upcoming KnowledgeFest trade show and conference, August 20-22, in Dallas. The association will also launch a new campaign aimed at increasing membership and communicating the benefits of MEA to the mobile electronics industry. For more information, please visit www.join-mea.com.

Industry trends and strategies for growth considered.

North Andover, MA – May 23, 2019 – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) hosted a leadership conference last week in Orlando to discuss its newest KnowledgeFest event planned for May 15-17, 2020 at Orlando’s Orange County Convention Center. Companies represented included MEA Partners: Alpine, Cerwin Vega, DS18, InstallerNet, JL Audio, JVC, Kenwood, Focal, Rostra, Sony, VAIS Technology, VOXX, all of which will be exhibiting at the Orlando event. Seventy-five percent of the exhibit space is pre-sold. Leadership discussed growth trends and opportunities for KnowledgeFest, met with Visit Orlando and received tours of the host hotel, the Rosen Centre, and the convention center exhibit hall.

The group acknowledged that KnowledgeFest plays an important role in educating retailers and provides value for all their employees through its workshops and manufacturer-sponsored training. Now with the new KnowledgeFest Orlando event drawing attendance from the east coast, exhibiting manufacturers can support training for retailers nationwide.

KnowledgeFest is the only industry event devoted exclusively to the mobile specialist, the installing dealer. The addition of a fourth event in Orlando brings KnowledgeFest to a coast-to-coast nationwide audience. Combining an exhibit floor with dealer education and manufacturer training, KnowledgeFest delivers a tremendous value for the entire industry.

Other topics that were discussed at the conference included strategies to grow MEA’s retailer membership, mobile industry trends and challenges facing today’s mobile electronics specialists. "We had many of the top leaders from our industry in the room,” said MEA President, Chris Cook. “We appreciate the many actionable ideas they contributed to help us grow membership and improve the quality of service delivered to consumers.”

Upcoming KnowledgeFest events:

• August 9-11, 2019 - Dallas, TX
• February 7-9, 2020 - Long Beach, CA
• March 27-29, 2020 - Indianapolis, IN
• May 15-17, 2020 - 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.

Auburn Hills, Mich. (Feb. 8, 2023) – Mobile Electronics recognized Alps Alpine North America, Inc. as the 2023 Vendor of the Year during the Annual Industry Awards ceremony at the Paris Hotel & Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 5th. This is the first time Alps Alpine has received the award.

“We are honored to accept the 2023 Vendor of the Year Award and appreciate the opportunity to be recognized by our fellow industry members,” said Mike Anderson, Executive Director at Alps Alpine North America, Inc. “We strive to provide the highest level of products and service to our retailers and will continue to support the industry with the same level of dedication in the years to come.”

The Mobile Electronics Industry Awards recognize the top retailers, installers, and sales professionals, as well as the top suppliers, rep and rep firms, distributors, expeditors, and vendors, that best exemplify the highest standards of professionalism, business ethics, service, and expertise in the mobile electronics industry.

Alps Alpine Co., Ltd., a leading manufacturer of electronic components and automotive infotainment systems, has brought the world numerous “First 1” and “Number 1” products since its founding in 1948. The Alps Alpine Group currently operates 110 bases in 26 countries and regions, supplying roughly 40,000 different products and solutions to around 2,000 companies worldwide. Those offerings include devices such as switches, sensors, data communication modules, touch input panels, actuators and power inductors; electronic shifters, remote keyless entry systems and other automotive units; consumer electronics like car navigation and audio-visual systems; and systems and services such as digital keys based on smartphone app and blockchain technology, and remote monitoring.

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.

CONTACTS:

Alps Alpine North America Media Contact  

Allison Saunders   

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

(586) 719-8966

North Andover, Mass., – December 28, 2021 – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) announced the finalists for the 2022 Industry Awards earlier today, live on its Facebook page. MEA President, Chris Cook held the Finalists Presentation, in which The Top 12 Retailers, Top 12 Installers, Top 5 Technicians and new Top 5 Sales Professionals and other awards were announced. Also noted were the "Top 3" and "Top 5" awards for finalists in the vendor, vendor tech support, expeditor, sales rep, rep firm and distributor categories, as well as the top 5 Technicians denoting the finalists for the coveted Trusted Tech award. Each "Top" award recipient will receive a signed wall certificate. 

While the final stage of the Industry Awards will be held in Las Vegas during KnowledgeFest, Cook noted that the announcement produced its own set of winners.

"It's important to recognize that making it to the Top 12, Top 5 and Top 3 categories signals a major achievement in this industry," he explained. "It means that these individuals, stores, brands and companies are part of a unique group that represents the best of our industry. We're overdue in recognizing the significance of their efforts, and I am proud to create a special event for that purpose. 

Some of the award categories are decided solely on industry votes. For these, the top vote-getter will be announced at KnowledgeFest as the ultimate winner of the category. For the Top 12 retailers, Top 12 Installers, Top 5 Technicians, Top 5 Rookies, and Top 5 Sales Professionals, each recipient will need to submit additional materials for judging to determine the winner in each category. 

The finalists lists can be viewed at meindustryawards.com by clicking on the Winners tab and selecting '2022' winners. To view the 2022 Industry Awards Finalists Presentation, visit the Mobile Electronics magazine page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MobileElectronics. The final awards will be announced at the Mobile Electronics Industry Awards celebration during the KnowledgeFest trade show and conference in Las Vegas, February 20, 2022. For more information, visit www.meindustryawards.com.

North Andover, Mass., – November 18, 2022 – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) announced the finalists for the 2023 Industry Awards earlier today, live on its Facebook page. MEA President, Chris Cook held the Finalists Presentation, in which The Top 12 Retailers, Top 12 Installers, Top 5 Technicians, and Top 5 Sales Pros and other awards were announced. Also noted were the “Top 3” and “Top 5” awards for finalists in the vendor, vendor tech support, expeditor, sales rep, rep firm and distributor categories, as well as the top 5 Technicians denoting the finalists for the coveted Trusted Tech award. Each “Top” award recipient will receive a signed wall certificate. 

While the final stage of the Industry Awards will be held in Las Vegas during KnowledgeFest, Cook noted that the announcement produced its own set of winners.

“It’s important to recognize that making it to the Top 12, Top 5 and Top 3 categories signals a major achievement in this industry,” he explained. “It means that these individuals, stores, brands and companies are part of a unique group that represents the best of our industry. We’re overdue in recognizing the significance of their efforts, and I am proud to create a special event for that purpose. 

Some of the award categories are decided solely on industry votes. For these, the top vote-getter will be announced at KnowledgeFest as the ultimate winner of the category. For the Top 12 retailers, Top 12 Installers, Top 5 Technicians, Top 5 Rookies, and Top 5 Sales Professionals, each recipient will need to submit additional materials for judging to determine the winner in each category. 

The finalists lists can be viewed at meindustryawards.com by clicking on the Winners tab and selecting ‘2023’ winners. To view the 2023 Industry Awards Finalists Presentation, visit the Mobile Electronics magazine page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MobileElectronics. The final awards will be announced at the Mobile Electronics Industry Awards celebration during the KnowledgeFest trade show and conference at the Paris Hotel & Convention Center in Las Vegas, February 5, 2022.

Welcome to the Mobile Electronics Show

Bringing the pages of Mobile Electronics magazine to Life!

Watch the Latest Episode here:

North Andover, Mass - February 27, 2025 - The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) is thrilled to announce announced that industry professionals can now submit their nominations for inclusion in the 2025 Mobile Electronics Industry Hall of Fame. Nominations will be accepted until June 9, 2025. The Hall of Fame recognizes the outstanding contributions and achievements of individuals within the mobile electronics industry.

The Industry Hall of Fame aims to honor industry veterans, innovators, and leaders who have made significant contributions to the advancement and growth of the mobile electronics sector. By recognizing their exceptional accomplishments, the Hall of Fame seeks to inspire future generations and celebrate the industry's rich history.

The official announcement of the class of 2025 will take place shortly before the KnowledgeFest Dallas event, an annual gathering of industry professionals, manufacturers, retailers, and enthusiasts. This prestigious occasion will showcase the individuals who have left an indelible mark on the mobile electronics industry through their expertise, vision, and dedication.

"The Mobile Electronics Industry Hall of Fame was created as a platform to honor the remarkable individuals who have shaped and revolutionized the mobile electronics industry," said Chris Cook, President of the Mobile Electronics Association. "Our esteemed panel of judges look forward to reviewing the nominees for inclusion in the class of 2025."

KnowledgeFest Dallas, renowned for its educational seminars, product demonstrations, and networking opportunities, provides the perfect setting for the Industry Hall of Fame. Attendees can expect a memorable and inspiring ceremony that pays tribute to the honorees and their significant contributions.

The Industry Hall of Fame will continue to recognize and celebrate individuals each year, ensuring that the mobile electronics industry's legacy is preserved and shared with future generations. MEA extends an invitation to all industry professionals, enthusiasts, and media to attend the KnowledgeFest Dallas.

To nominate a deserving individual please go to: meindustryawards.com/hall-of-fame-nominations/

For more information about the Industry Hall of Fame, please visit MEIndustryAwards.com or contact Chris Cook at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.