editor’s forum
VIRTUALLY KNOWLEDGEFEST
IT’S TIME TO LEARN, CONNECT AND CELEBRATE.
Our industry’s time to come together has arrived—albeit virtually. While nothing can replace our in-person event, KnowledgeFest LIVE will deliver a feeling of connection that will help assuage the need we all have to enjoy the awesome networking KnowledgeFest is known to provide. When we had to send the message that the in-person event was cancelled, some of you wondered why. What changed? Our decision was in response to a new COVID-19 threat level in Dallas County, specifically in relation to orders regarding health guidance for the public which changed to the highest-level, “red,” meaning, “Stay at home, stay safe.” And with that news, for the first time in our history, KnowledgeFest became a virtual-only event this year. It’s unfortunate, as I know many of you were looking forward to having an in-person event. We also had strong support from exhibitors and retailers who wanted to attend. We will now target all our efforts toward delivering a valuable virtual event.
What is a virtual event? KnowledgeFest LIVE will be held online with interactive content. Our plan from the beginning was to include a virtual experience to accommodate both retailers and manufacturers who were not able to attend due to company travel restrictions. The event will be presented through a new digital platform allowing attendees to participate in education workshops and manufacturer trainings. Participants will also be able to take a virtual tour of exhibitors, kind of like a virtual show floor. Much like the in-person event, our virtual event will provide great opportunities to connect with your favorite vendors, view show vehicles, and network with others. You will be able to accomplish this from the comfort of your home or your store. The best thing about KnowledgeFest LIVE is that you can enjoy great content without the added cost of travel.
How will you attend? Your options are open. Most attendees for virtual events attend using a personal computer (PC or MAC) using a website interface. You can also attend using a tablet or Smartphone, but your experience will be enhanced if you use a traditional computer. For KnowledgeFest LIVE, you will register for the event and participate by selecting education workshops, manufacturer trainings, as well as designated times to connect with your
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favorite exhibitors. As you select them, your event schedule will be created. Once created, you will receive reminders to make sure you don’t miss anything. During the three-day event, there will be many great opportunities to view live content. And if you miss something, you can always go back and watch on-demand.
YOU CAN ALSO TUNE INTO THE MANUFACTURER TRAINING CHANNEL TO LEARN ABOUT THE LATEST TECHNOLOGIES FROM YOUR FAVORITE SUPPLIERS. What should you expect? This will be an awesome event, providing the best education, networking and exhibitors that our industry has to offer! KnowledgeFest LIVE will feature over 25 of the top industry experts delivering knowledge for owners, managers, salespeople, marketing personnel, technicians and fabricators. This will be delivered as three distinct tracks, or what we are calling “channels,” for the virtual event. You can also tune into the manufacturer training channel to learn about the latest technologies from your favorite suppliers. When you visit an exhibitor, you will have the opportunity to connect face-to-face using the web interface. You will be able to have active discussions with key influencers in our industry. One of my favorite experiences at KnowledgeFest is the vast amount of show vehicles. For this event, there will be a designated area to view some of the top vehicle builds. Many of your favorite vendors will have special offers that will kick-off at the Beer and Business networking event. While we won’t have an open bar, you can bring your favorite brew to your computer and connect with others in our industry. During that time, you will be able to join private networking areas based on industry topics. This is the perfect place to have a discussion and learn from others. On the last night of the event, KnowledgeFest LIVE will hold the annual Mobile Electronics Industry Awards. MEA will announce and celebrate the winners during a special live evening event. We all look forward to the celebration. If you’re ready to join the rest of the industry for Knowledge Fest LIVE, go to KnowledgeFest.com and register today!
