editorial Coming Together Makes the Difference Chris Cook Executive Director
The call was for our industry to come together and last month in Dallas, we did! KnowledgeFest 2011 was an event to remember. Over 60 exhibitors showing our industry’s best products and services to retailers eager to find great deals, new products, top-notch education and the best in peer-to-peer networking our industry can offer. According to our own research, there are close to 5,000 specialty mobile electronics retailers across the nation. KnowledgeFest hosted over 600 retail- ers, which accounts for a little more than 10 percent of those who could attend. This begs a question. Where were the rest of you? I know you were busy trying to make the numbers to survive another day. With the economic times we are facing I know that it is hard to leave the store for even a day, much less a weekend. So for those of you, who didn’t make it this year, let me fill you in on why you don’t want to miss out on KnowledgeFest in the future. The most important reason as told to us by retailers that have attended the event is the ed- ucation. Several cutting edge keynote presentations from leaders like OnStar, aha by Harman International, Pandora and RIM providing insight on new markets that will grow your business now and in the near future. Over 30 hours of education sessions that focus on areas that are known to improve your business. Two specific ones come to mind, marketing Guru Jim Ackerman of Ascend Marketing and Kara Holder of Revenew Online. Jim opened KnowledgeFest 2011, providing the necessary information to help you unclog your business when the economy is in the toilet (from his recently released book) and now has signed on with MERA to provide a great new member benefit, one-on-one business coaching service delivered in a way that only Jim can! His Principle-Centered Marketing Coaching Program comes with a 400% ROI Guarantee! Need I say more? And if that is not enough, Revenew Online is providing a sure way to deliver promotions directly to your customers. Revenew Online will deploy its Channel Networking™ platform for the benefit MERA supplier and retail members. Product suppliers can now market through their resellers by providing marketing promotions directly to your customers. In its role with MERA, the Revenew Online will establish a single
Industry Leaders Give Their Take on KnowledgeFest 2011
“Having attended KnowledgeFest since its beginning, I noticed a resurgence in the same energy and communal will that originally inspired our industry to set aside time away from the day-to-day for the exchange of ideas and best business practices. The new MERA team is doing a great a job of reigniting our show.” — Alberto Lopez – CEO & President Luxicor, LLC
“It was great to share our knowledge of this industry and also amazing to meet so many enthusiastic dealers who are learn- ing how to make their business better. We are already looking forward to next year. Thanks again for a great event.” — Marcel Newell – Avidworx
“It was great to see all the attendees
come out again this year. Every educa- tion track that I stuck my head in was full and there was a lot of positive feedback from the attendees. They wanted more and more education, which shows how valuable these sessions are to the mem- bers of MERA. Manufacturers’ increased presence seemed to just put a cap on the importance of this type of event.” — Andrew “Andy” Hartshorne – Directed Electronics, Inc. (MECP Master Techncian)
“Not only did I have the opportunity to give back to others in our great industry, but I walked away with a cache of valu- able information that I can apply to my own company in the future. I heard lots of positive comments from presenters,
52 Mobile Electronics September | October 2011
dealers and manufacturers alike, and I look forward to what MERA can do for the future of our industry.”
— Jeff Cantrell – President, JC Audio, Jackson, Tenn.
“All of us at Alpine were very pleased with the experience this year. The tireless effort of the MERA team was evident. One of our favorite aspects of the show was having quality one-on-one time with 12-volt specialists. Their response to the manufac- turer displays and learning seminars was very positive. Alpine will continue to sup- port MERA’s efforts to improve education, profitability, and true business partnership in the 12-volt specialist channel.” — Steve Brown, Product Promotion Manager – Alpine Electronics of America
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