What’s Happening
On Another Level
While attendees missed out on the usual in-person networking in Dallas, the online platform allowed for virtual meet-and-greets and the announcement of the latest Industry Award winners at KnowledgeFest.Live. WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA
SounDigital offered training on their new amplifiers during December’s KnowledgeFest LIVE event, including discussing the small size and versatility of the 2-channel 1 200.2 EVOX.
When COVID-19 interrupted gatherings of all kinds, the Mobile Electronics Association brainstormed how to continue bringing the best in education and networking to the 12-volt industry. The result: KnowledgeFest.Live. Taking place in December, the event attracted thousands of registrants from across the country and around the globe, making it one of the most successful events yet. According to Chris Cook, president of MEA, KnowledgeFest.Live had a record number of attendees totaling over 2,500. Virtual booths received almost 13,000 visits, and over 45 sales reps were able to interact with attendees on a user-friendly
12 Mobile Electronics January 2021
platform. “The event featured more than 30 brands, 24 show cars displayed in the online platform, five keynotes and events, and 57 manufacturer trainings and educational workshops,” Cook said. To top it all off, the Industry Awards live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook, and had over 4,000 views. Industry Leaders Discuss Increased Consumer Spending Participating in the first keynote were Cook, Rick Kojan of Sony, Alex Camara of AudioControl and Aron Demers of VOXX. Kojan stated that Sony experienced a
record year. “Everyone will tell you about the great business and the backorders,” he said, adding that in his opinion, upper middle-class customers accounted for much of the additional spending. “They couldn’t go on vacations, and they were stuck in home offices. This all adds up to discretionary income burning a hole in their pockets.” As a result, consumers decided to upgrade off-road vehicles, trucks, cars, motorcycles and even RVs. Kris Bulla of Sony Car Audio hosted three live trainings. Additionally, the company presented two show vehicles—a Subaru with a virtual walk-around and a 1967 Chevy Nova, according to Kojan.
