March 23, 2016  Santa Fe Springs, CA, -- American Road Products will conduct two dealer interactive workshops at the Mobile Electronics’ KnowledgeFest Spring Training event being held April 8-10, 2016, at the Indiana Convention Center. The focus of these workshops is to jump start 12V Specialist retailers into sales and installations of the 360º OmniVue Advanced Vision Surround View Camera Systems and the ReverseGUARD line of add-on back-up protection products.  

The safety business is the fastest growing segment of aftermarket vehicle electronics. American Road Products will give proactive retailers the foundation to begin the high margin business of selling and installing safety to consumers AND local commercial fleets. Carlos Garcia, Fleet Installation Manager and Stephen Witt will conduct the sessions. The how to sell to commercial customers is the NEW business education for retailers. 

All Dealer Workshop attendees will be entered into a drawing to win a 360º OmniVue Surround View Passenger system worth $1199. retail. 

"With our commercial product offering, 12V Specialty retailers can add the profitable local commercial fleet safety business to the revenue stream of the store states" Stephen Witt, "The local HVAC, electrical, plumbing, landscaping, delivery and service fleets need safety products to improve driver behavior and reduce accidents. The average cost in 2015 of a non injury accident for commercial fleets was $64, 981. Working together with our Authorized 12V Dealers, we will help the local commercial business save money by lowering accident rates, insurance costs and downtime" says Witt.  

To register for the American Road Products sessions, visit the following link and click on the American Road Products Sales & Install Workshop listing:

https://knowledgefest.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php  

Open to ALL  Dealer Workshop:  5:15PM - 6;15PM Friday, April 8 

Open to ALL  Dealer Workshop:  9:30AM - 10:30AM Sunday, April 10  

Garcia and Witt will also be conducting the Selling Safety: Developing You New Profit Center Sales Track workshop on Saturday, April 9 from 11:00AM - 12:15PM. This session is must attend for store owners and managers that WANT to expand their business into the high margin vehicle safety business. Attendees will learn how to market and position their store in the growing safety market, how to target, present to and close commercial fleet safety customers and what products are in the highest demand. 

For more information call 888.918.8800 or visit amercianroadproducts.com

Theme for annual show and conference in Dallas focuses on keeping up with advancing technology, consumer patterns.

NORTH ANDOVER, MASS., June 27, 2016 (MEDIAWIRE) — The Mobile Electronics Association® (MEA) announced the theme for its 2016 KnowledgeFest® trade show and conference, scheduled for August 20-22, 2016 at the Hilton Anatole Resort & Convention Center in Dallas. "SHIFT" will be depicted on all show signs and artwork, signifying a call for industry professionals to take their expertise, drive and professionalism to a higher level.

The KnowledgeFest theme is chosen annually by MEA staff after carefully evaluating changing trends that directly affect the mobile electronics community. This year, the focus has been on evolving safety and driver assistance products and technologies.

"Carmakers are using significant advertising budget to promote safety features on new vehicles, and almost all of the available OEM options have aftermarket counterparts," said Chris Cook, MEA president. "Retailers can take advantage of a new profit center in which consumer value has been stoked high by OEM messaging."

The media is also heavily covering autonomous vehicle technology and how cars will make decisions based on input from vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) networks. The potential changes to the driving experience hold future opportunity for retailers and installation technicians. 

Celebrating its 20th year, KnowledgeFest will employ its own shift as well. The educational component of the conference will undergo a change from individual classes to three-class courses. Each course is intended to enhance the educational experience with graduated lessons from class to class, as well as a broader view of how the chosen curriculum works within the store structure.  Attendees who complete each course will receive wall certificates marking their achievement.

The "SHIFT" theme is visualized by a classic car gear shifter that also includes a button, presumably to employ nitrous oxide, which propels a vehicle faster by increasing the amount of oxygen available for combustion.  

“The shifter and its nitrous button are the perfect representation of how we need to keep up with opportunities that come from evolution in the vehicle space," concluded Cook. "Shifting gives us more headroom to be able to react to changing market conditions. Then we hit the button and put all of our resources into overdrive."

Registration for KnowledgeFest 2016 is currently open, and attendees will be able to select and reserve space in education courses in the coming weeks. For more information, please visit knowledgefest.org.  

About the Mobile Electronics Association®

The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) strives to grow the mobile electronics industry by supporting its retailers, salespeople, technicians and manufacturers with integrated services built around the group’s 1100-plus members, its Mobile Electronics® magazine, KnowledgeFest® tradeshows, Partnership Program, point-of-sale system and data products. Through these offerings, Mobile Electronics delivers education, networking avenues, business and marketing resources, and promotes partnership between retailers and manufacturers to increase sales and profits. For more information, contact MEA at 85 Flagship Dr., Suite F, North Andover, MA 01845, telephone: 800-949-6372, or visit join-mea.com.

New Products and Training Featured At Mobile Electronics Show

Las Vegas, NV – (Aug 15, 2016) – Audiomobile will be exhibiting at the Mobile Electronics Association annual Knowledgefest in Dallas at the Hilton Anatole, August 19-22. In addition to displaying its latest, high-performance products, the company will also showcase a new category that will offer clients further, relevant solutions, to its merchandising mix of advanced technology subwoofers and OEM preamps. 

The company will also be hosting a seminar and training on Monday, August 22, from 8:30 to 9:30 am, which will focus on its new “M-CAR” Pre-tuned-Subwoofer-Transducer (“PST”) proprietary technology, as well as the latest developments in its LineDrive series of high-power, OEM Interface processors. 

The Seminar will also cover the unique feature / benefits of the stellar GTS ‘21’ and Evo ‘24’ series of low-profile subwoofers. Designed specifically for micro-sealed enclosures, the EVO series subwoofers advanced technology features includes powder-coated, low-profile, cast aluminum frame and class-leading linear excursion and power-handling.

For more information go to: www.Audiomobile.net or call (702) 221-1977.

4/8/2016 -- Day 1 of KnowledgeFest Spring Training featured a round of trainings with industry notables Bryan Schmitt, Ken Ward and Jason Kranitz. The trainings centered on business-enhancing installation techniques, audio and system sales designs and how to make profitable A-pillars.

Several manufacturer trainings also took place by companies that included K40 electronics, Focal and Kenwood, among others. 

The day ended with a networking event at restuarant, High Velocity at the JW Marriott in downtown Indianapolis. It featured retailers from across the country setting up meetings with manufacturers for the remainder of the event. 

Day 2 will feature the opening of the show floor, more workshops, trainings and the town hall panel presentation. For more information, visit www.kfest.me. 

8/3/16 Elgin, IL – K40 Electronics announced that it will offer two interactive dealer training sessions on K40 remote radar detectors and laser jamming products – including the new Laser Defuser Optix™ - during Mobile Electronics’ KnowledgeFest trade show and conference being held August 20-22, 2016, at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, Texas.

Offering some of the industry’s highest vendor margins, K40 sees the 20th anniversary of KnowledgFest and its “Shift” theme as an ideal opportunity for dealers to shift their focus to maximum profitability. “With auto and aftermarket accessory manufacturers focusing on safety and driver’s assistance, K40 speed protection products are the bottom-line difference maker for mobile electronics retailers,” said Rachel Clark, K40’s National Sales Director. “And they keep these profits in their pocket with nearly no warranty returns,” added Clark.

Two training sessions covering “Product-Profit-Partnership: The K40 Difference” will be offered by K40:

Sun., August 21, 2016 - 4:30pm - 5:30pm - Outside Trinity Exhibit Hall

Mon., August 22, 2016 - 9:30am - 10:30am - Outside Trinity Exhibit Hall

Click here to reserve your seat to one of the K40 training sessions.

K40 will also exhibit its entire product line in booth #416 where the new Laser Defuser Optix, one of the smallest laser jammers on the market, will be highlighted. “Optix is approximately the size of a slim automotive key fob or USB flash drive, so it can be installed into grilles and other tight spaces,” added Clark.

For information on K40’s entire product line, which offers the industry’s first ticket-free guarantee, visit http://www.k40.com/products

To simplify the process for attendees, the KnowledgeFest Spring Training schedule classes, trainings and events is available only online this year. The schedule can be accessed at www.kfest.me. 

The site offers several page sections, including Events, Workshops, Manufacturer Training, Exhibitors, Sponors, and a Gallery section with updated photos of the event. On-site registration is available through the website as well, to expedite the process. 

This year's event features a networking event, town hall meeting, manufacturer trainings and an invitation-only after party, hosted by Davis Distribution. For more information on the events at KnowledgeFest Spring, visit http://kfest.me/kfevents.html. 

New Long Beach KnowledgeFest Announced for 2018

NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – April 18, 2017 – Mobile Electronics® has completed its KnowledgeFest® Spring Training Indianapolis. Now in its third year, this KnowledgeFest event held April 9-11 at the Indiana Convention Center has grown to more than 800 attendees and 32 exhibitors. KnowledgeFest Events are educational and exhibiting events whose audience is the mobile electronics specialist, the installing dealer.

Centered on advancing knowledge and expertise, KnowledgeFest Events educate, inform and empower mobile electronics retail and technical professionals. KnowledgeFest Spring Training featured over 29 hours of educational sessions, 39 hours of manufacturer training, and 14-plus sours of exhibit time. Spring Training highlights manufacturers’ new products now shipping and kicks-off the mobile selling season.

"Our Indy event continues to grow year-over-year," said Chris Cook, Mobile Electronics president.

“There were two drivers behind our creation of this event: First, to offer our retailer members the opportunity for training and networking; and, second, to offer our manufacturer exhibitors the opportunity to meet with their retail accounts east of the Mississippi, the mobile specialists they’re not seeing in January in Vegas. Exhibitors we spoke with onsite at space selection for our 2018 events were pleased with the traffic they received, both in their booths and their training workshops. We received strong commitments from exhibitors to come back to Indy next year and to participate in our new Spring Training Long Beach.”

In Indianapolis, Mobile Electronics announced it was adding a third KnowledgeFest event for 2018. A second Spring Training event in southern California at the Long Beach Convention Center February 23-25.  “With many manufacturers’ U.S. headquarters located in southern California, the Long Beach location allows manufacturers to meet with dealers in their own backyards and train on new products,” said Cook. “And, it allows us to offer a regional, yet nationwide approach to training and exhibiting with KnowledgeFest events in Indy for the east, Dallas central and Long Beach west.”    

For 2018, KnowledgeFest Spring Training returns to Indy and the Indiana Convention Center on March 16-18. The next KnowledgeFest event for 2017 takes place August 12-14 in Dallas at a new venue, the Dallas Convention Center. Now in its eighth year, the Dallas KnowledgeFest will feature more classes, a larger show floor and the finale of the Mobile Electronics Industry Awards. For more information, visit knowledgefest.org.

4-9-2017 -- KnowledgeFest Spring Training in Indianapolis, Ind. officially opened today. Events included the mobile electronics show, nine different educational seminars and 14 manufacturer trainings. 

"KnowledgeFest Spring Training is the kickoff event for all the new products introduced this year. Manufacturers will be featured in training opportunities each day developed to educate on features, benefits and installation techniques of their new products," said Chris Cook, president of the Mobile Electronics Group on the knowledgefest.org home page. "The three-day event is complete with top-notch educational workshops, great networking opportunities, manufacturer training sessions, and an exhibit floor packed with your favorite brands. Completing the educational workshops and manufacturer trainings will give you the tools and knowledge to deliver exceptional customer experiences and grow your business."

The event runs from April 9-11 at the Indianapolis Convention Center. 

Mobile Electronics March Issue, 3-1-2016 -- Everything starts small. Children grow into adults. Small seeds blossom into giant redwood trees. And small businesses that wish to learn and improve come together to form internationally recognized trade shows. SEMA, for example, started in 1963 with a group of small automotive manufacturers who supplied performance equipment for early hot rods. After 40 years, it became what it is: an industry giant, featuring thousands of companies and hundreds of show cars, all having joined over time, despite several name changes and makeovers to the event over the years.

KnowledgeFest, now in its 23rd year, has grown and changed in similar ways with a name change (formerly referred to by many retailers as MERA), growing attendance from both manufacturers and retailers, adding activities (like the Industry Awards) and changing venues over the years. Now, held in Dallas at a luxurious hotel and including more seminars and events than ever before, it's outgrown being just an annual event.

After last year's highly successful first-time effort, KnowledgeFest Spring Training is back to offer an alternative for some and an expansion for others looking to improve their businesses. Located at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, Indiana, this year's show will emphasize more focused seminars and product trainings from the biggest names in 12-volt. The event has more exhibitors, requiring an addition of 7,500 square feet of exhibit space to make room for those new companies. First time manufacturer exhibitors for the event will include JL Audio, Sony, AudioControl, AAMP Global and Accele.

“We are extremely pleased to have these new exhibitors join us at KnowledgeFest Spring Training 2016. Most of them have been supporting our Dallas event for several years,” said Chris Cook, Mobile Electronics Group President in a recent press release. “Their support recognizes this event as the best opportunity to provide quality sales and installation training during the launch of their new products and services introduced earlier this year at CES."

Over 50 brands are scheduled to be featured within 42,000 square feet of exhibit space and 10 meeting rooms at the event. Given the timeliness of the event coinciding with new product releases, dealers can expect trainings on the ins and outs of the newest products from top manufacturers.

Continue the rest of the story HERE.

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

Holly Hill, FL - July 2017 – Metra Electronics will be teaching two vendor training courses at KnowledgeFest in Dallas, TX from August 11-14, 2017. This industry event is hosted by the Mobile Electronics Association at the Dallas Convention Center and features a full schedule of educational training for 12 volt installers. Metra’s Installer Institute, an accredited school for Mobile Electronics, will also be at the show giving information about their school’s programs and continuing education courses. Both the Installer Institute and Metra Electronics will be at booth #316.

“AX-DSP - Upgrade your digitally amplified system without the hassle” will be taught by Jason Anderson on August 12 from 4:45pm to 5:45pm. How do you effectively install aftermarket amps and speakers in vehicles with digital amplifiers? The new AX-DSP from Axxess Interfaces is the solution to this problem that installers have been dealing with for years. The AX-DSP takes the digital signal from OE radios and converts it to a multi-channel analog output, allowing an installer to easily add aftermarket amps while retaining the use of the OE radio controls. Installers no longer have to buy summing devices, processors, or DSP’s, and then spend hours wiring up and troubleshooting. Installers should attend this training seminar at the 2017 summer Knowledgefest event to find out how the AX-DSP can save time, money and headaches in the installation bay. Attendees can reserve their seat for this class online at: http://knowledgefest.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=113&Itemid=332.

The second class, “Metra/Axxess 101: Back to the Basics”, will be taught by Juan Lugo on Sunday, August 13 from 6:00pm to 7:00pm. This class will cover basic install techniques and topics such as wiring up combo amplified /non-amplified harnesses, initialization of various interfaces, audio adjustments to interfaces, and the use and operation of the new Axxess App and PC updater program. The class will also discuss the new AX-DSP, TurboTouch Kits and various other new products from Metra Electronics. KnowledgeFest attendees can reserve their seat for this training session at: http://knowledgefest.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=172&Itemid=332.

Please visit the following websites for more information:

KnowledgeFest event information, schedule and registration: KnowledgeFest.org

Installer Institute’s programs and courses for mobile electronics: InstallerInstitute.com

The new Axxess Digital Signal Processor (AX-DSP) from Metra Electronics: AxxessDSP.com

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. 

Panelists will discuss going beyond average to build a successful, longstanding operation

NORTH ANDOVER, MASS. – March 25, 2016 (MEDIAWIRE) – The town hall meeting at the upcoming KnowledgeFest Spring Training show and education conference will feature five prominent retailers, discussing how specialist mobile electronics outlets can continue to grow their businesses. "Breaking Through the Retail Ceiling" will focus on the strategies and practices that elevate a business from moderate performance to legitimate success and sustainability. 

The town hall signals the midway point for KnowledgeFest Spring Training, following the first full day of exhibits and education. Its purpose is to present and discuss topics that concern or benefit the industry, led by an informed group of panelists.

"This year, we felt it was important to let retailers speak to retailers," said Chris Cook, Mobile Electronics president. "KnowledgeFest has always thrived as a peer environment, where people in the same profession can network and share ideas. For the town hall, we've selected a group of retailers who have achieved above-average levels of profit, market share and repeat clientele, and all of them are excited to relay their experiences and advice to our attendees."

The 2016 retail panelists are all current or prior recipients of awards from Mobile Electronics. They include:

• Eric Carter of Cartronix in Valparaiso, Ind., multitime Top 50 and Top 12 Retailers award recipient
• Brian Layton of Sound FX in Lewes, Del., a recent Retailer of the Year award recipient and multitime Top 50 Retailer
• Josh Mojica of GNC Customs in Goshen, Ind., a recent Top 12 Retailers award recipient
• Matt Schaeffer of Safe and Sound Mobile Electronics in Manassas, Va., 2015 Installer of the Year runner-up
• Ken Ward of Musicar Northwest in Portland, Ore., previous Retailer of the Year award recipient

KnowledgeFest Spring Training leverages the time of year when new products have begun to ship and retailers are most in need of instruction on product features and specifications as well as selling strategies. The event will be held April 8-10 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Professionals who wish to attend can register at www.knowledgefest.org/attendees/attendee-registration. Prospective attendees can view and register for available workshop classes, reserve seats, and print out a personalized itinerary at http://bit.ly/KFSpring16. Find more information on KnowledgeFest Spring Training, travel to the event, and accommodations at www.knowledgefest.org.