At the end of the 2011 MERA KnowledgeFest event, plans were made to accommodate an even larger group of exhibitors and attendees for 2012. Based on the current number of commitments to this year’s KnowledgeFest, held August 18-21 at the Gaylord Texan Hotel and Conference Center near Dallas, these plans have proven necessary.
Accele Electronics, Crimestopper, elettromedia, Hybrid Audio, Kicker, Rosen and Wet Sounds highlight more than 15 new exhibitors coming to the KnowledgeFest show floor. Several of these companies, including Cimble, Crux, PartnerShip and Safeware, are new entrants to the aftermarket segment of the mobile electronics industry.
“Despite a continually changing economic outlook, we are pleased to see growth from retailers who have attended KnowledgeFest and applied the ideas learned from the keynotes, education tracks and peer-based networking opportunities,” said MERA President Chris Cook. “This has prompted the attendee and exhibitor growth we’re seeing this year. Further, we are honored that new companies that want to service retailers in our industry recognize KnowledgeFest as a primary venue to help them accomplish their goals.”
Recently confirmed exhibitors include: Fortin, MMATS, Morel, Steelmate, Wirez, Prospect Genius, Sound Off Audio and Beat-Sonic. Additionally, several returning companies, including Scosche, Sony, Memphis Car Audio, AudioControl, Focal and Arc Audio, have enhanced their visibility in the show with larger booths over the previous year.
KnowledgeFest has quickly become the go-to event for industry professionals to come together and network in a learning-first environment. Educational tracks in several disciplines provide lessons and tips that can be quickly implemented, while keynote seminars deliver an industry overview that creates direction for retailers outside of their four walls. Vendors also leverage the "captive audience" of proactive retailers and installers to hold afternoon training sessions on the understanding and marketing of their product lines.
MERA posts and continually updates information on exhibiting vendors on its show-specific knowledgefest.org website, along with an educational tracks schedule and show floor map. Up-to-date information is also posted on the organization's Facebook page at facebook.com/KnowledgeFest.
To register online to attend KnowledgeFest, go to www.knowledgefest.org and click “MERA Member Registration” or “Non-MERA Member Registration.” For more information on MERA or KnowledgeFest, visit www.merausa.org, www.knowledgefest.org, or contact MERA at (800) 949-6372.