State of the Economy and its Effect on the Industry- Click here to watch the video
Steve Koenig, Director of Industry Analysis, CEA
Steve Koenig is the Director of Industry Analysis at the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). As a part of the market research team, Koenig directs the CE MarketMetrics Program, which tracks factory shipments of consumer electronics (CE) products to U.S. dealers; and he leads CEA’s semi-annual CE Industry Forecast. Koenig’s other duties include development of consumer research initiatives, crafting analysis of CEA’s consumer research and shipment data and responding to member and media inquiries. Koenig brings more than 15 years of analytical and writing experience within the CE industry. Prior to joining CEA, he worked for comScore Media Metrix and The NPD Group/PC Data Inc.
Young Guns Power Panel - Click here to watch the video
Description: A new spin on the traditional keynote for KnowledgeFest 2012. This high-energy and high-level panel will be a nuts-and-bolts ground floor interactive discussion on propelling business with innovative ideas. Join five progressive retailers for a highly energized session that holds nothing back. These retailers have consistently proven their ability to innovate in any economic climate and great examples of what a specialist retailer should be. So join them and listen as they willingly share information and advice with other retailers to help them achieve success.
Moderator: Chris Cook - MERA
Participants:
Jon Kowanetz - Handcrafted Car Audio
Jason Kranitz - Kingpin Car and Marine Audio
Derek Pace - Certified Sounds
John Schwartz - Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security
Micah Williams - Sonus Car Audio
Bio:(s)
Jon Kowanetz - Handcrafted Car Audio - At just over 30 years old, Jon Kowanetz has been installing Mobile Electronics products more than half of his life. What started out as a way to earn a bit of extra money as a teenager has blossomed into a full-fledged career as he grew older. Since facing the rigors of opening his location in 2009, Jon has become a father, achieved re-certification as an MECP Master Installation Technician, won Mobile Electronics Magazine's Installer of the Year award in 2010, and had his establishment be named as one of Mobile Electronics Magazine's Top 12 Retailers in 2012.
Jason Kranitz - Kingpin Car and Marine Audio - At 41, has been in the mobile electronics business for 20 years. In 2006 started Kingpin Car & Marine Audio specializing in custom fabrication. Jason has been featured in over 32 Magazines including: Me Mag, Car Audio and Electronics, Car Stereo Review, DUB, Iron horse, and PSMAG. In 2005 He was featured in the Movie Ride Culture that showed the build process of a custom Boat. Jason has been recognized as ME Top One hundred Installers several years running, Top 12 Installers twice, and Retailer of the year 2007-2008. And while all this is impressive, Jason woul drather just be know as a Realist and just a guy that builds cool stuff!
Derek Pace, 36, is the Owner/Operator of Certified Sounds Hawaii. A 15 year industry veteran, Derek is currently celebrating his 10th year in business. He has been an MECP certified Master Installer for more than 8 years. As well as being an MECP exam proctor, he is also an MECP SME (subject matter expert) in which he assisted in developing test questions for the new MECP advanced certification test. Derek enjoys these accomplishments: MECP Master Installer, MECP Proctor, MECP Subject Matter Expert, MERA and CEA member, Hawaii Better Business Bureau A+ Rating, ASE A6 Certified, CEA/AED Board Member, CEA/AED Promotion Committee Member, ME Mag Top 12 Installer of the Year (2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2010), ME Mag Top 12 Retailer of the Year Finalist (2010), Dealerscope top 40 under 40 in CE Industry 2012.
John Schwartz - Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security - Just 35, having been in the industry for 21 years starting on the east coast, working in Las Vegas and living in Alaska, John has worked in some tough climates. When John took over Perfectionist 13 years ago, the shop had the worst reputation in Alaska. Through hard work, dedication and lots of lessons John was able to turn the business around and now runs an award winning shop. Most recent awards include 2011 Mobile Electronics Retailer of
the Year, Anchorage Press Picks Best Car Customizer, Best Car Stereo Shop 2010-2011, Anchorage Daily News Best of Alaska Platinum Award, Multiple manufactures awards for Retailer of the Year, and most recently Anchorage Chamber of Commerce individual award for Entrepreneurial Excellence finalist.
Micah Williams - Sonus Car Audio - With 16 years of experience in the mobile electronics industry Micah Williams; owner of Sonus Car Audio in Clarksville , Tennessee; attributes the success of his company to it's ability to adapt to new trends and technologies almost over night sighting a continuous investment in education and tooling for his staff and himself. Entering the industry in 1996 has evolved from Technician into business owner that still captains his ship from the installation bay. A six time Installer of the Year Nominee as recognized by Mobile Electronics Magazine, he stated that the transition was not without difficulty and it's an ongoing process to ensure his companies viability as the market changes and clients search for ways to integrate new technologies to their vehicle. Sonus opened in 2008 and in less than 48 months grew into a business that owns a custom built 8,000 square foot facility and generates over 1 million dollars a year in sales revenue using only it's specialty retail location. There are no other outlets such as Internet sales, etc....every penny comes through the front door and goes out the installation bay doors. 94% of our product sales are tied to an installation. Almost nothing is sold over the counter because of our emphasis on professional installation and the ability to market it to our clients in a way that they see value in. Micah was recognized as an explosion of new talent by Dealer Scope Magazine and garnered recognition as a Top 40 under 40 recipient for 2012.
Moderator Bio:
Chris Cook serves as President of the Mobile Electronics Retailers Association (MERA®) the U.S. trade association representing over 1,000 mobile electronics companies and owning and producing the annual tradeshow, KnowledgeFest®, and the trade publication Mobile Electronics® Magazine. Cook is a 27-year automotive consumer electronics veteran with expertise with in-vehicle consumer electronics integration for both Aftermarket and OEM. Cook has held key positions with mobile electronics companies in retail and manufacturing. He holds an honorary Masters Certification with Mobile Electronics Certified Professionals (MECP) and was a past executive editor and writer of both the study and exam materials. Cook was previously with the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) where served as the staff liaison to senior executives in the automotive mobile electronics industry. During that time he was involved in the design and implementation of in-car multimedia network solutions and leading key industry initiatives including technology and standards development, education and promotion as well as driver safety promotion. Cook resides with his family in the greater Boston area.
