editorial
5 Questions I Would Ask (If I Were You) About Knowledgefest
Chris Cook Executive Director
It’s time for me to give you my pitch on attend- ing this year’s KnowledgeFest show and seminar this August. But instead of just laying it out, I’ve gathered the top 5 questions that new deal- ers, MERA members and returning attendees have asked. Here are their questions—and my answers—below. And if you have any more ques- tions, give me a call or send me an email.
“SO WHAT THE HECK IS A KNOWLEDGEFEST?” Well, KnowledgeFest was founded in 1993 by a group of retailers and reps in the Midwest who saw the value in mobile electronics retailers get- ting together to share knowledge and experiences. In sharing successes and failures, participants become better, smarter and more profitable. This year’s KnowledgeFest includes more than 20 education workshops, multiple networking oppor- tunities and the Mobile Expo show floor featuring more than 50 exhibitors. At KnowledgeFest, you get the opportunity to speak one-on-one with peo- ple you do business with. Just about every major manufacturer and many specialty manufacturers will be there with products and information to get you ready for the holiday season. KnowledgeFest adds many social activities and af-
terhours networking events to bring FUN into the mix. Last year our Monday Night Football featured Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and Texas Style BBQ. The Mo- bile Electronics Magazine Awards banquet is another example. You’ll enjoy sharing your favorite install, cra- zy customer and business success stories with your peers and suppliers at KnowledgeFest 2011!
“SO I GET TO TALK TO MY SUPPLIERS; GREAT. BUT WHAT KIND OF STUFF WILL I LEARN?” To have the trip to Dallas make a difference for your business, KnowledgeFest has specialized ed- ucation for business owners and managers, sales professionals and installers — to keep your busi- ness on the cutting edge of profitability. There are many manufacturer product training sessions to make sure you are the expert in your market and ready for the all important fourth quarter. KnowledgeFest 2011 will delve into the issues that retailers across the land have told us are important to your business. You will learn things like controlling expenses, maximizing cash flow and finding new ways to compete in this new economy. Discover tactics for improving business
52 Mobile Electronics June| July 2011
relationships with manufacturers and sales reps, how to deal with connectivity issues and sell- ing products for cars that present the greatest challenges. Marketing and advertising to today’s consumer. To learn more about specific courses and descriptions, visit
KnowledgeFest.org for all the inside information.
“ALL THAT SOUNDS GREAT, BUT WHAT WILL IT COST ME?”
A lot less than trying to get all of this education,
networking and fun on your own! Attendance for MERA members is only $99 for the first person from each store and $49 for each person thereafter. Your registration includes all the education sessions (no additional fee for the Installer Track), admission to Mobile Expo, and invitation to the Mobile Electron- ics Industry Awards, plus breakfast, lunch and dinner are included with your registration. In addition, MERA has secured special rates for the beautiful, four-star Gaylord Texan Resort at $145 per night with free in- room Internet. Resort fee has been waived as well. These rates are good up to three days before and three days after the event, making it a great way to get in that last family vacation before school starts. Flying into either Dallas airport is easy as most discount carriers fly there. Because it is centrally lo- cated, flight times are generally under three hours form most places in the continental USA.
“I’M IN, BUT WHY DID YOU MOVE IT TO AUGUST?” When we asked retailers around the country,
they said August is a historically slow month for retail sales. This allows you to leave the store and not worry as much about losing that big sales volume. MERA promises to deliver value that will make a real difference in your sales when you get home. In addition, it’s just in time for planning out your fall campaigns to maximize sales and profits. MERA is asking our exhibitor partners to bring the deals! So be prepared to sharpen your product knowledge and be ready to dazzle your customers this holiday season with all you learned at KnowledgeFest 2011.
“OKAY, YOU’VE CONVINCED ME. I’M GOING. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO NEXT?” Go to
www.KnowledgFest.org to register. It is the best investment you can make to insure you’re in business to grow! ■
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