The first day of KnowledgeFest Dallas saw packed classrooms, where attendees learned about improving their businesses, selling accessories, stereo and more. Bryan Schmitt of Mobile Solutions presented on 12-volt industry trends, along with ideas on how to keep a business moving forward.  "Saying you're an expert is one thing," Schmitt noted during his lecture. "Being an expert takes clear direction and dedication to that goal."  

The biggest takeaway from today's sessions were the numbers: Training sessions were very well-attended, with people waiting outside the door in some cases, trying to look inside. Knowledge-seeking continued into the evening with "Night School" sessions, including Part 2 of JL Audio's School of Sound; Mastering Instagram; and a store owners' roundtable discussion led by Chris Cook of MEA.

My personal favorites included the first part of JL Audio's presentations on sound, and Vince De Stefano's lecture on "The Fine Art of Selling Accessories." Look for a feature article by the same name in the September issue of Mobile Electronics magazine, in case you missed the class or would like a refresher!

See you on the show floor.