Dallas -The Mobile
Electronics Retailers Association (MERA) will put a new spin on its traditional
keynote for KnowledgeFest 2012, held at the Gaylord Texan near Dallas Aug.
18-21.
Instead of
high-level presentations, the Mobile Electronics Retailers Association (MERA),
which is holding the event, will feature nuts-and-bolts, ground-floor
interactive discussions on propelling business with innovative ideas.
Sony will once
again sponsor the event and will facilitate food and beverages. Dave Whiteman and the Love Chocolates, a
13-member, 11-piece ensemble, will provide the entertainment courtesy of
SiriusXM and Voxx International at the Glass Cactus Club on the evening of Aug.
20.
During
KnowledgeFest, five retailers will participate in the “Young Guns Power
Panel” on Aug. 19, moderated by MERA president Chris Cook: Jon Kowanetz,
owner of Handcrafted Car Audio in Mesa, Ariz.; Jason Kranitz, owner of Kingpin
Car Audio in Wilsonville, Ore.; Derek Pace, owner of Certified Sounds in
Wailuku, Hawaii; John Schwartz, owner of Perfectionist Auto Sound &
Security in Anchorage, Alaska; and Micah Williams, owner of Sonus Car Audio in
Clarksville, Tenn.
“This will be a
highly energized session with retailers that hold nothing back and will tell it
like it is,” said Cook. “The retailers we’ve chosen for the ‘Young Guns Power
Panel’ have consistently proven their ability to innovate in any economic
climate. Not only are they great examples of what a specialist retailer should
be, they willingly share information and advice with other retailers to help
them achieve success. They are all true ambassadors of the mobile electronics
industry.”