The best of the best of the Mobile Electronics Industry were honored for their accomplishments

Las Vegas, Nevada – February 4, 2025 – The Mobile Electronics® Association (MEA) announced the winners of the 2025 Mobile Electronics Industry Awards. The awards were presented Sunday evening, February 2 at the conclusion of a successful KnowledgeFest Las Vegas event. The awards recognize and honor professionals in the mobile electronics industry that exhibit outstanding service, business ethics, professionalism, and expertise in their field. To view the list of finalists, go to: https://meindustryawards.com/2025-winners

Chris Cook, President of MEA, hosted the event which was attended in person and viewed online by thousands of industry professionals, including family and friends, from the United States and around the globe. Top honors for Installer of the Year went to Nicholas Frazier – iNNovative Concepts – Wilbraham, MA. Retailer of the Year –was awarded to Traffic Jams Motorsports – Buford, GA. Sale Professional of the Year went to Kimberly Trainer – Car-Tunes, Inc. – Greenville, MS and Trusted Tech of the Year went to Ray West – Titan Motoring – Nashville, TN. Vendor of the Year went to Firstech and Distributor of the Year went to Davis Distribution Systems.

For 2025 the Mobile Electronics Association recognized Robert Cox for his Career Achievements with Circuit City, Directed Electronics, and Sprint. Mr. Cox was best known for his time at “Circuit City”. He was awarded the “Career Achievement Award” for his long-time contribution to the Mobile Electronics Industry.

“Congratulations to all the nominees, finalist, award winners”, stated Chris Cook, MEA President. “Their accomplishments set a high standard for the Mobile Electronics Industry.” MEA will continue to hold the Industry Awards at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas with next year’s event at the Paris Hotel February 4, 2026.

Installer of the Year

Nicholas Frazier – iNNovative Concepts – Wilbraham, MA

Retailer of the Year

Traffic Jams Motorsports – Buford, GA

Sales Pro Award Winner

Kimberly Trainer – Car-Tunes, Inc. – Greenville, MS

Trusted Tech Award Winner

Ray West – Titan Motoring – Nashville, TN

Rookie of the Year

Isaac Schertzer – Devine Concepts Automotive Design – Naples, FL

Most Improved Store or Chain

Sudbury Car Audio – Val Therese, ON

Best Online Presence

Traffic Jams Motorsports – Buford, GA

Best Customer Retention Program

KarTele Mobile Electronics – Waterbury, CT

Best Customer Experience

JC Audio – Jackson, TN

Best Store Culture

Traffic Jams Motorsports – Buford, GA

Customer Choice Award – Installer

Austin Moore – Titan Motoring – Nashville, TN

Customer Choice Award – Sales

Jeremy “Taco” Patterson – Speakerbox Autosound and Accessories – Huntsville, AL

Customer Choice Award – Retailer

Speakerbox Autosound and Accessories – Huntsville, AL

Career Achievement Award

Robert Cox

Expeditor of the Year

Titan Motoring

Distributor of the Year

Davis Distribution Systems

Rep Firm of the Year

The Progressive Group

Sales Rep of the Year

Jason Mcarty – DOW Technologies

Top Vendor Support Tech

Chris Reavis – ALPSAlpine

Vendor of the Year

Firstech

Top Vendor: Autosound & Processing

SONY

Top Vendor: Security, Safety and Driver Assistance

Firstech (Compustar – Drone Mobile – Momento)

Top Vendor: Accessories and Materials

Metra Electronics

Top Vendor: Infotainment & Multimedia

SONY

Top Vendor: Marine

JL Audio

Top Vendor: Motorcycle & Powersports

Cicada Audio

Top Vendor: OEM Integration

ADS (iDatalink Maestro)

Top Vendor: Lighting

Lucas Lighting

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, 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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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.

# # #

Mobile Electronics announced final numbers for its new KnowledgeFest event, Spring Training 2015, held last month in Indianapolis. The event, which combined a 30-manufacturer exhibit floor with dealer training and education, attracted over 480 attendees from 33 states, including the east and “near” east metro centers, and two Canadian provinces.

“We added Indy as a second KnowledgeFest for three reasons,” said Chris Cook, president of Mobile Electronics. “First, manufacturers weren’t seeing many dealers from east of the Mississippi in January; second, to maintain their competitive edge, 12-volt specialists want and need training and education; and, early April is a great time to deliver training on new products manufacturers are just starting to ship.”

With April’s Indy event in the book, Mobile Electronics is now focused on its second KnowledgeFest in Dallas August 15-17 at the Hilton Anatole. This “original” KnowledgeFest is the largest networking and educational event for mobile electronics retailers in the United States. Its objective is to provide peer-based and professional training to owners, managers and installation technicians through classes, a tradeshow and focused networking events.

“Since acquiring KnowledgeFest, every year we have grown and improved upon the event,” said Cook. “For 2015, we’re returning to having a keynote speaker to kick-off our Town Hall Meeting. Tim Parenti, president of MVP Dynamics, will address the topic of ‘Attitude – The Power to Direct or Misdirect.’ The keynote is sponsored by K40.”

Mobile Electronics has issued a “call for speakers.” For those wanting to be part of the KnowledgeFest conference program, go to knowledgefest.org/call-for-speakers. Additional program enhancements will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information and to register to attend, please visit knowledgefest.org.

Brand Will Explain New Tech and Its Advantages to the Industry

Oxnard, Calif., May 27, 2025 - Building on its recent industry momentum, Modus is bringing its revolutionary audio technology to the East Coast market at KnowledgeFest Atlantic City, one of the mobile electronics industry's largest educational events and trade shows. The event, taking place June 6-8 at Harrah's Resort & Convention Center, brings together hundreds of industry professionals for comprehensive training and networking opportunities.

"I've spent over 20 years working with dealers and installation technicians up and down the East Coast, and one thing has always stood out – these folks know their stuff and they're always pushing for better solutions for their customers," said Jason Digos, Senior Sales Trainer at Modus. "When we were developing our products, we listened to what technicians and shop owners were asking for – better efficiency, more reliable performance, and solutions that work as well on the water as they do on the road. That's why I'm especially excited to be at KnowledgeFest Atlantic City. It's a chance to show our friends in the industry how we've tackled these challenges head-on with some pretty amazing technology. Plus, there's nothing better than getting to geek out with other audio enthusiasts who are as passionate about great sound as we are."

KnowledgeFest stands as a cornerstone event for the mobile electronics industry, offering more than 50 hours of educational sessions, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities. The event draws hundreds of industry professionals eager to explore the latest technologies and advance their technical expertise through manufacturer training sessions.

During KnowledgeFest Atlantic City 2025, Modus will conduct two specialized training sessions:

About Modus

Modus is a premium car audio technology brand under DSP Solutions, specializing in audio solutions that combine cutting-edge technology with superior sound quality.

About DSP Solutions

DSP Solutions is a pioneering American mobile audio company dedicated to transforming in-vehicle entertainment. Its cutting-edge audio, video, and infotainment systems are engineered for automotive, power sports, and marine markets, delivering premium experiences to a diverse North American audience. Backed by innovative technology and industry expertise, DSP Solutions is redefining what's possible in mobile audio.

Visit us in Long Beach for KnowledgeFest, booth #1805, February 7-9

MIAMI, Fla. — February 6, 2020 -- Nakamichi Car Audio has announced it will participate in KnowledgeFest and has jumped in with both feet committing to a 10’ x 20” booth at all four shows starting with the Long Beach, Calif. show later this week.

After successful showings at the recent SEMA and CES in Las Vegas, Nakamichi has stepped up with commitments to show in Long Beach, Indianapolis, Orlando and Dallas.

“Response to the initial re-launch of Nakamichi have been fantastic,” said Robin McNeal, National Sales Manager for Nakamichi. “We are looking forward to interfacing with dealers around the country at all the Knowledgefest shows.”  Representatives from Sound Sales and Marketing (So Cal) and Cardoza and Company (No Cal) will be on hand in Long Beach to introduce dealers to the Nakamichi line up.

Nakamichi reentered the U.S. market last Summer and has since established its nationwide sales force of independent reps and has began selling dealers from coast to coast. The well known brand is offering dealers a mix of 12-volt products with a profit minded marketing strategy.

MIAMI, FL—Nakamichi Car Audio will be exhibiting at the Las Vegas Knowledgefest February 18-20, 2022 at the South Point Hotel and Casino.

On display will be new 2022 models, some which are shipping now and couple of new head units slated for introduction later this year.

Robin McNeal, Nakamichi National Sales Manager, will be on hand along with David Bradman, Guillermo Mendez and Jason Proios from Diplomat Trading.

Nakamichi Mobile Audio can be found at booth #714 in the convention hall of the South Point.

For more information visit www.nakamichicaraudio.com or www.knowledgefest.com

Knowlegefest attendees interested in scheduling an appointment can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

KICKER® Highlights Big Bass and Innovation at the 2024 KnowledgeFest in Las Vegas

STILLWATER, USA – KICKER® returns to the MEA KnowledgeFest at the Paris Hotel and Convention Center, February 2-4. The brand will be unveiling two new training courses from the KICKER Tech Force, along with being headquartered in booth 706, facing the Main Entrance of the show floor.

KICKER premiers a bevy of new products on the show floor, including an expansion of the Pro Class, Marine, Powersports, and 12-volt product lines. including new Dual L7T Truck-Specific Enclosures. A perfect, form-fitting under-seat solution for select versions of the Ford® F-150®, Chevy®Silverado® and GMC® Sierra®, and RAM®, these truck enclosures house a pair of Solo-Baric® L7T thin subwoofers in heavily braced MDF enclosures, delivering up to 1,200 watts RMS. KICKER audiophile-grade KS-Series 3-Way Component Systems also debut as a drop-in solution for select models of GM®, Ford, Chrysler®, Jeep®, Dodge®, and more.

Showgoers will preview the powerful new Warhorse™ line of high-power amplifiers and branded accessories. In addition to a new line of power wire and distribution solutions, the WXA3600.1 bass amp and four-channel WXA1000.4 will both be on display at the show. A perfect match to KICKER SoloX subwoofers and Warhorse line, the ST Street-Series of midrange and bullet tweeters will also be on display. 

Powersports amplification will also have a strong showing with the PXA-Series line of waterproof amplifiers on display, in addition to the new KPX line of compact amplifiers.

A custom-wrapped GMC Sierra will be in the booth showcasing four 15-inch SoloX subwoofers in a powerful 8,000-watt system. The rear of the truck features a completely independent system, perfect for tailgating. KMA-Series Marine Amplifiers, the KICKER KXMARLC Multi-Zone Controller, KM Tower Systems, and TB-Series Tube Subwoofer Systems make it a party the moment it is parked. In 2024, the truck will tour across the country, attending shows and inspiring KICKER dealers from coast to coast.

Jacob Luckey of the KICKER Tech Force will conduct two training courses during the weekend. Focusing on the ST-Series of high-power midrange and tweeters, Luckey will review the features of the “PA”-style drivers and how to properly power them. The second class will cover marine audio system design and installation best practices.  The first training is on Friday at 3 p.m., and the second is on Saturday at 4:45 p.m. Both classes will be held in Versailles 2.

For more details, attendees can visit www.knowledgefest.org.

KICKER Performance Audio products, a division of Stillwater Designs and Audio, Inc.®, are available for the mobile and home audio aftermarket at authorized retailers worldwide, and also as Original Equipment for boat and automobile manufacturers. Consumers seeking more information on KICKER or Livin’ Loud® may call the Consumer Information Line at 1-800-256-5425 or visit the brand website at www.kicker.com. Consumers can follow KICKER socially at Facebook.com/kickeraudio, Twitter.com/kickeraudio, Instagram.com/kickeraudio, or Pinterest.com/kickeraudio, and use the hashtags #kickeraudio and #livinloud.

Ford and F-150 are registered trademarks, owned and used under license by Ford Motor Company. 

GM, Chevy, GMC, Silverado and Sierra are registered trademarks of GM, its subsidiarie

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.

DOUGLASVILLE, GEORGIA – AUGUST 17, 2016 - Omega's tech support team will be presenting the 70-Series product line at it’s first ever KnowledgeFest Dealer training session.  The 70-Series is Omega’s most advanced Remote-Start line ever.

Packed with very high-end features, but priced at a tremendous value, Omega focused on refining the installer experience by adding a very comprehensive vehicle learn routine, and on the user experience by adding a BUILT-IN 3D accelerometer for manual transmission starting without the complicated exit routine, as well as Cold-Temperature start at the "entry units".

All "3D" units are 2-way Ready, so to upsell a sale, just learn in a compatible 2-way controller. Also, every single remote starter has a built in Alarm Suite, again offering upsell potential with little or no additional install. With Omega, every Starter is a COMBO.

Omega will also be introducing the Linkr Mobile Control platform: In our opinion, the most versatile Smartphone hardware/APP platform available. Built as a Global platform, it supports 6 languages, and can be installed stand-alone, or plugged into an Omega host unit via the data port. All 3 analog outputs can be configured to your needs, even if you’re using a data connection. This doubles the simultaneous functionality of other units.

Very importantly, EVERY service plan gives the user full functionality!!! This includes GPS tracking, 2 Geo-Fences, Speed alerts, & a Security Fence. Other included features are a Built-In battery backup,

Multiple "Skin" options, personal Avatar selection from your camera-roll, the ability to control dozens of devices from the same APP, a full featured "High Risk" PANIC routine that sends alerts and a bread crumb trail to 5 pre-set recipients, and more. One can even monitor their home or business alarm panel with Linkr.

For information on becoming an Omega Dealer in the US, email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.">This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For more information on Omega’s car security, keyless entry and remote start product lines, please visit www.CarAlarm.com, www.OmegaWeblink.com, www.OmegaCarlink.com, and www.OmegaGPS.com.

Ringwood, Ill. – January 17th, 2020 – Race Sport® Lighting, the undisputed leader of aftermarket lighting solutions for the automotive, truck accessories, marine and power sports industries, has announced they will be training MEA dealers at all four Knowledge Fest events this year. Below is an outline of the training.

Tips to Become a Lighting Professional

Discover dozens of tips to becoming the lighting professional in your local market. From your sales counter staff to your installers, this training is for the whole team!

In this 1-hour training, Race Sport Lighting will cover the following installer/tech related topics:

• Lumens vs Lux
• Projectors vs Non-projectors
• Patent features of the GEN4 LED headlight kit
• Race Sport Lighting LED headlight specification comparisons
• HID vs LED
• Our quality testing, and what advantage it gives you

Also, we will train you on how to use helpful sales counter tools such as:

• Road Map to Success
• Starting Lineup
• Vehicle Fit Guide
• Dealer Resource site

At the end, we will show you how to sign up for no-cost continuing education courses through Race Sport University (RSU)! In one hour, any sales and tech staff should have the tools they need to be the lighting professional in their local market!

At Race Sport® Lighting, we are lighting. For almost two decades we have brought consistently high-quality products and full-service-value to our customers. This is our foundation for growth, and the reason we are the lighting brand the professionals use in North America and beyond. For more information on Race Sport® Lighting or to become an authorized Race Sport® Lighting dealer visit www.racesportinc.com

KnowledgeFest was founded in 1994 by a group of passionate specialty retailers and reps in the Midwest who saw the value in mobile electronics retailers getting together to share knowledge and experiences. In sharing successes and failures, all participants become better, smarter and more profitable businesspeople. Since that time, KnowledgeFest has grown into a full trade show and educational conference like no other in our industry.

The $2.1 Billion Dollar Category and Growing

March 5, 2019 -- Race Sport Lighting, leading the way for the past 12 years as the Pioneer for the lighting category is hosting a lighting training session at KnowledgeFest in Indiana. The first half of the training focuses on the recipe for success in the lighting category. The second half of the training will be “CORE” training on the newest technology in lighting that dealers need to know to be successful and eliminate problems in the install bay.

Meet with us at KnowledgeFest in Indianapolis at Booth # 539. Training will take place on Friday, March 15, 2019 at 12:30 pm in the Marriott Ballroom 3 – 2nd Floor.

Race Sport Lighting is the leading manufacturer of LED and HID lighting technology in North America. Race Sport Lighting primarily serves the Mobile Electronic, Truck Accessory, Powersport, Motorcycle, Marine and RV industries. Founded in 2007, Race Sport Lighting is going on its 12th year leading the way as the Pioneer for the lighting category. They offer the highest quality lighting products to the industry and back it up with award winning customer service and tech support. This reputation has earned them the position of Preferred Lighting Vendor for AAM, MESA and Tint World franchises.

For more information on pricing and becoming a dealer, please visit us online at https://www.racesportinc.com/customer/account/login/or call us at 847-327-0073.

May 3, 2024 - Ringwood, IL

Race Sport Lighting, the pioneer and leading provider of automotive lighting solutions to the 12-Volt market, is set to showcase its latest and innovative products in Atlantic City this weekend at the 2024 K-Fest Show. The event, which brings together 12-Volt industry professionals and experts, offers a unique platform for Race Sport Lighting to demonstrate its commitment to advancing automotive lighting technology, and training dealers how to grow their business with the lighting category.

Knowledgefest will be held at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City from 6/7/2024 to 6/9/2024. Race Sport Lighting is thrilled to exhibit in Booth #807 and show off a grand display of LED lighting solutions and answer questions at the booth.

On Friday, June 7th, Race Sport Lighting will be a Platinum Sponsor for GoFast Solutions, their premier Rhode Island, New Jersey, and New York Territory Distributing partner. The KnowledgeFest Kick Off Party sponsored by GoFast Solutions will be held at the Hardrock Hotel & Casino. Dealers can attend and spend time with Race Sport Lighting staff to learn more off the show floor.

If the Friday kickoff party is not enough, Race Sport Lighting will also be the lighting sponsor for the DAS Dealer Party held Saturday night on the 8th.  The DAS dealer party will be featuring entertainment, dinner, and installer challenge and other fun events to their dealer customer base. Race Sport Lighting staff will be at the party to meet and greet with the DAS dealers and discuss how to grow their lighting business. DAS is the premier distributing partner for Race Sport Lighting in the Mid-Atlantic Territory.

"We are excited to be a part of the 1st Knowledgefest Atlantic City show, and to connect with industry professionals who share our passion for cutting-edge automotive solutions," said Ignacio Ayala, Product Specialist at Race Sport Lighting. "Our booth will have a variety of innovation, where attendees can experience firsthand the exceptional quality and performance of our latest products."

Race Sport Lighting invites all Knowledgefest attendees to visit them at Booth #807 and explore the future of automotive lighting. For more information about Race Sport Lighting and its products, please visit www.RaceSportInc.com. Register and enter for FREE with our exclusive VIP CODE: : Please call your RaceSport representative for more information.

Race Sport Lighting is the leading manufacturer of LED and HID lighting technology in North America, and serves the 12-Volt, Truck Accessory, Powersports, Motorcycle, Marine, and RV industries primarily. Founded in 2007, Race Sport Lighting is going on 17+ years leading the way as the Pioneer for the lighting category. They offer the highest quality lighting products to the industry and back it up with award-winning customer service and tech support. This reputation has earned them the Lighting Vendor of several major industry buying groups.

Become a USA Reseller today - https://www.racesportinc.com/customer/account/create/

Become a Canadian Reseller today - https://www.racesportlighting.ca/customer/account/c

January 29, 2024- Ringwood, IL -- Race Sport Lighting, a leading provider of automotive lighting solutions to the 12-Volt market, is set to showcase its latest and innovative products at Knowledgefest 2024 in Las Vegas this weekend. The event, which brings together 12-Volt industry professionals and experts, offers a unique platform for Race Sport Lighting to demonstrate its commitment to advancing automotive lighting technology, and to training dealers hot to grow their business with the lighting category.

Race Sport Lighting is the leading manufacturer of LED and HID lighting technology in North America, and serves the 12-Volt, Truck Accessory, Powersports, Motorcycle, Marine, and RV industries primarily. Founded in 2007, Race Sport Lighting is going on 15+ years leading the way as the Pioneer for the lighting category. They offer the highest quality lighting products to the industry and back it up with award-winning customer service and tech support. This reputation has earned them the Lighting Vendor of several major industry buying groups.

Become a USA Reseller today - https://www.racesportinc.com/customer/account/create/

After only one day, KnowledgeFest 2015 may be on track to surpass the success of last year's event. Taking place here at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas, this year's event kicked off with a number of unique attributes, including having to share the complex with a bodybuilding competition, making for an interesting walk to dinner after the trade show and manufacturer trainings concluded.

But before the visual buffet of body donnas took place, attendees were treated to a wide array of educational seminars that featured part one of the "Tuning Cars" series with Andy Wehmeyer of Audio Frog, in which Wehmeyer discussed the pitfalls of trying to tune a car by ear, claiming that "tuning by ear sucks." He went on to describe the beginnings of the process. Tomorrow's seminar will feature Larry Frederick, who will likely use his own fun assortment of colorful metaphors to bring the topic to life.

Another engaging seminar featured Steve Witt of American Road Products and Derek Smiedl of NAV-TV discussing the power of a growing safety category in the class, "Safety is No Accident: Creating a Successful Safety Business." The two were able to execute convincing arguments on ways to sell the products to reluctant customers by providing convincing anecdotes, including one about a teenage boy betting t-boned in his brand-new sports car by an elderly couple. The couple ran a red light, making them at fault. But when questioned by the officer who arrived on-scene, they claimed the boy ran the light. Had it not been for his trusty dash cam streaming and recording video to his smart phone, he may have ended up at fault.

As night fell, cocktails emerged and this year's opening night ceremony commenced, beginning with a keynote by Tim Parenti, president of MVP Dynamics. The speaker, new to the 12-volt scene, discussed "Attitude - The Power to Direct or Misdirect." The presentation centered on a person's ability to change their situation with the power of attitude. Citing various case studies and having attendees write out various exercises, Parenti kept the crowd intrigued and made a strong argument for his topic.

Following that, Chris Cook, president of the Mobile Electronics Group, introduced this year's Town Hall panel, which included Joshua Landau of JML Audio, Brian Layton of Sound FX (current Retailer of the Year), Gary Stackpole of Benchmark Soundworks, Jason Digos of elettromedia, Steve Wood of Directed and Andy Wehmeyer of Audiofrog.

The discussion centered on four topics, including customer impressions of the business, how to grow the market, the installer shortage and future impact, and how to promote expertise and value. Regarding the last topic, answers varied from focusing on the install bay and showing customers what the business is all about to protecting product by keeping an eye on manufacturer selling practices to third party vendors looking to undercut retailers.

Overall, it was a successful first day, featuring packed class rooms and a total number of 794 attendees filling the seminars throughout the day. Stay tuned for Day 2 coverage.

As the event charged on, educators continued to bring their A-game by upping the ante with more seminars that helped enrich the livelihoods of the industry's finest.

In "Tuning Cars Part 2: The Next Step," Larry Frederick of Cerwin-Vega delivered what most were expecting with an honest, humor-filled seminar, complete with lots of expletives to enhance the experience for the installer-packed room.

The bulk of Frederick's lecture was focused on the tools of the trade needed to properly tune. Those tools included RTA's, oscilloscopes, and the CD=104 reference compilation, which contains a wide spectrum of music that can create the most balanced sound in a vehicle. He also emphasized the importance of using fewer speakers and subs whenever possible since "the more shit you put in a car, the more fucked-up it's going to sound," as he so eloquently put it.

Another popular seminar was Tim Parenti's "Face to Face Selling - The Forgotten Skill," part of the Sales Track. He emphasized the importance of looking at customers as ally's rather than adversaries you have to slay to make the sale. It avoids creating a combative atmosphere and instead establishes a collaborative element, getting them to see you as a friend that's helping them with a goal.

Palenti provided handouts that made the seminar interactive, asking attendees to write down responses to various objectives to focus on being helpful and positive rather than combative, rewarding them with suggestions rather than being defensive. He also broke down different personality types in terms of how people use their senses. For example, those who use hand gestures and require you to show them solutions are Visual, while those who make decisions based on how they feel are called Kinesthetic. As a sales person, it's important to recognize those types and match them with an appropriate response to best reach them.

Although the seminars are perhaps the biggest reason to come to KnowledgeFest from an educational standpoint, the heart and soul of the event seems to be taking place on the show floor, in the hallways and at the various bars and restaurants throughout the facility. This is thanks to the power of networking and friendship that is a staple of the 12-volt industry. Topics being spoken throughout the halls so far have been mostly positive, touting the wow-factor experienced by so many first-time attendees like Matt Cropper, a Top 12 Installer this year, who is in awe of how big the event is in scope.

Perhaps the biggest topic being mentioned, however, is that of the installer shortage and how the industry can solve it. One solution making the rounds is to make customers part of the business by bringing in the most dedicated either part-time or full-time depending on their current job status. At the least, making more channels to move up the ranks and cultivating the talent already in place is a popular sentiment, especially amongst some manufacturer representatives.

I for one am excited to see how the final day plays out, especially with tonight's industry awards.

4/13/2016 -- It takes time to build a business. First comes the idea, followed by the will to make the vision become reality. Once logistics are determined, the hard work of implementation begins. Any 12-volt retailer can vouch for the difficulty of opening a store, but all successful retailers share the same feeling at the end of the day -- a sense of accomplishment. 

Now in its second year, KnowledgeFest Spring Training has achieved a similar sense of accomplishment, nearly doubling last year's attendee numbers and gaining a confidence from manufacturers and retailers alike. The most common thing I heard while walking the halls of the event was, "this is great." Everyone was in agreement that the event was a success and better in many ways than last year. Considering it's a work in progress, the trade show has proven its worth as a mainstay for the industry, and in some ways, more timely than its counterpart, at least regarding its educational value. 

Taking place at the beginning of April, a time when most companies are planning the year ahead with new product purchases, manufacturers see the event as an opportunity to teach new products and gain new retailers for those products at the event. The centerpiece of the show was the theme of training. Regardless of whether it took place in the seminars, on the show floor, in manufacturer trainings, or at a table in one of the bars of the JW Marriott where attendees hung out after hours to talk over tasty libations, the word was getting out about anything and everything 12-volt related. 

Having only been in this industry for less than three years, I've learned a lot about the products and services offered, but nothing has given me more insight on what 12-volt is all about like its people. When I went to my first KnowledgeFest, I was overwhelmed with the positive, welcoming nature that everyone showed me, an outsider with zero experience. When I asked questions, no matter how rudimentary or naive, they were always answered without judgment by such names as Del Ellis, Bryan Schmitt, John Schwartz and Solomon Daniels, among others. 

The same spirit was represented at the town hall discussion where a panel of five retailers discussed how they got to the top of their game. Matt Schaeffer, last year's Installer of the Year Runner-up, spoke on the importance of how keeping passion at the center of his mindset allowed him to continuously improve his work. Ken Ward of Musicar Northwest delivered some of his signature wisecracks while mentioning how his shop does it different from others to help distinguish itself as a business. 

Overall, whether the comments were made on stage at the town hall, or in one-on-one conversations with individuals, the sentiment was the same: KnowledgeFest Spring Training is a great event and is here to stay. Regardless of whether you choose to go to Dallas or Indianapolis, your attendance is crucial if you hope to one day sit on the stage and tell the story of how you reached the top of your game. 

8-21-2016 -- As the event took on its second day, courses continued with packed rooms full of eager-to-learn attendees. While topics like fabricating to factory fit and practical tuning for a profit went as expected to hit all points on the head, there were added bonuses to most courses that presenters could not have anticipated: great questions from attendees. As KnowledgeFest continues to grow, so does its potential for learning. It's become clear in the last few years that for attendees to maximize their experience, they need to participate in a more active manner. This is understood by presenters as well, as most make it clear that feedback is encouraged throughout sessions to help provide the best knowledge possible from each expert. 

One example of this took place in the course, "Business Roundtable: Leveraging New Opportunities in Safety and Driver Assistance." The course consisted of a panel that included two retailers, Brian Layton of Sound FX and Mark Millar of Westminster Speed and Sound, and two manufacturers of safety and driver assistance products, Steve Witt of American Road Products and Phil Maeda of Rydeen Mobile Electronics. During the session, the presenters made their case for why retailers should get on board with selling the product, how to select vendor partners and how to approach selling the category to customers. But several retailers in the audience voiced concerns and made suggestions throughout the seminar that turned it into more of a discussion and brainstorming session, which was a pleasant surprise to the panelists who welcomed the comments and worked to find solutions. 

"I don't want to offer a product to my customers that only lasts 18 months. I want it to last," said Dustin Daigle of Prestige Car Audio and Marine. "The problem for us is the liability of it. I don't want to be drilling holes in someone's car for a product when a new one comes out 6-8 months later."

Witt responded by saying, "That's no different than when we started Alpine back in 1979. Those first head units, you'd push eject and the tape went into the back seat. There are definite good and back products, but it's important to know the products and choose the best partner that works for you." Former Installer of the Year Jon Kowanetz also chimed in from the crowd. "One big benefit of a demo vehicle is not just to sell things you're one hundred percent confident in but to use it as a test vehicle for new products. Nothing in our vehicle was permanently installed. It's an opportunity to test things out without fully committing and not on a customer's car."

Others, including the panelists agreed with the solution and the course continued. This was a common occurrence in other courses, where attendees brought up relevant concerns, with panelists and other attendees helping to find solutions. The event will conclude with its final day of classes, manufacturer trainings and the Mobile Electronics Industry Awards on Monday, August 22.