MERA KnowledgeFest 2007 to Begin March 17
Indianapolis, IN: The Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association® (MERA) is eager to welcome retailers and other industry professionals to MERA KnowledgeFest 2007, in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee, March 17-20, at the new, state-of-the-art Knoxville Convention Center.
MERA is making a special offer this year to those who attend any of the “Installation Technician Workshops.” Each attendee in the specified workshops will automatically be eligible to receive a free Mobile Electronics Certified Professional (MECP) Program exam voucher and study guide. Those workshops include “Electronic Integration: Tools of the Trade,” “Custom Integration: Tricks of the Trade,” “Vehicle Security Integration and Tracking Technology” and the ever-popular “School of Sound.” Installation Technician Workshops are sponsored by MECP, which is owned and operated by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Seats are limited and additional fees apply for some sessions.
Additional workshops – including 29 new ones – begin Sat., March 17 and run through Tues., March 20. Owners, managers, sales staff, installers, manufacturers representatives and others can all gain valuable information as these workshops are designed to address the most critical issues facing today’s mobile enhancement professionals. Workshop descriptions, speaker biographies, online registration and additional information are available on MERA’s website, www.merausa.org. Those planning to attend are encouraged to register online by no later than Fri., March 2, to expedite the check-in process onsite. MERA will also accept onsite registrations at the event.
The exhibit area is larger than ever – 52,000 square feet – and MERA will be hosting exhibits up to double the size of those in past years. Hours of exhibiting are from Noon to 5 p.m. on both Sun., March 18, and Mon., March 19. Exhibitors are listed on MERA’s website www.merausa.org; link to the exhibitor list directly at http://www.merausa.org/Events/Knowledgefest/attendees.asp or click on the MERA KnowledgeFest 2007 logo, then “Attendees.”
MERA considers the cornerstone of its MERA KnowledgeFest event to be the MERA Town Meeting, which begins at 3:30 p.m. on Sat., March 17, and sets the stage for the four-day event. The Town Meeting will start with a panel of executives from leading manufacturers who will discuss consumer marketing. Renowned consultant Eddy Kay will moderate, engaging the audience and panelists for a discussion driven entirely by audience questions.
MERA President Bob Graham will deliver his message, drawing from his 31 years’ experience as a mobile enhancement retailer. Bob will speak about how to prepare for the coming changes in the industry and will share his vision of what lies ahead for the specialist retailer.
The Town Meeting will also feature keynote speaker Andy Oxenhorn, president, JL Audio. Andy plans to offer his perspective on the mobile enhancement specialist retailer … now and in the future.
MERA KnowledgeFest 2007 is made possible by platinum sponsor Sirius Satellite Radio.
MERA is a non-profit association founded in 1996 and based in Indianapolis, Ind. MERA’s purpose is to elevate the success of specialty retailers in the mobile enhancement industry. Membership includes more than 600 companies throughout the United States, comprised of retailers, manufacturers, manufacturers representatives and others related to the industry who realize professionalism and continuing education are cornerstones for successful business. MERA serves as the safe and neutral field where all parts of the industry can gather to learn from and share with one another. For more information, visit www.merausa.org, or call 800-WHY MERA (949-6372).