what’s happening Career Achievement Award Eddy Kay
Expeditor of the Year Sound FX
Top Vendors
Distributor of the Year DOW Electronics
Vendor of the Year Sony
Rep Firm of the Year
Top Vendor: Autosound & Video
Marketing Pros, Arlington, TX
Sony
Rep of the Year
Top Vendor: Security, Safety and Driver Assistance
Neal McSweany, AAMP Global
Firstech
Top Vendor: Accessories and Materials Metra Electronics
Top Vendor: Infotainment & Multimedia Kenwood
Top Vendor: Powersports & Marine JL Audio
A big part of KnowledgeFest is visiting the show floor and networking with reps. Here, Brian Layton of Sound FX speaks with an Alpine rep.
install bay. I’m gearing up to teach and I think maybe move into tech support in the future.” With the announcement of Retailer of the Year for a Store Chain, Christerfer Pate—owner of this year’s winner, Mobile Toys in College Station, Texas— shared how the store started ten years ago. “We took over a business that was part of a big AV store that did highend home audio video,” Pate said. “I once worked for the owner and we decided to buy the joint. We’ve had a lot of ups and downs, but every year we’ve moved forward.” The business has grown roughly 30 percent this year, Pate added. “That’s in no small part to our team.” Beside him on stage stood his wife, Samantha, who handles warranties at Mobile Toys. Rookie of the Year is an important award because it helps excite younger
16 Mobile Electronics September 2018
people in the industry, said Daniels prior to introducing this year’s winner. “We want our young guys to be excited,” he said. “We want them to be excited about learning and growing.” Edgar Diosdado, also from Mobile Toys, took home this year’s Rookie of the Year award. “I want to thank Mobile Toys for giving me this opportunity,” he said. “I truly love what I do and to be recognized for it is amazing. It really was a great achievement for me and opens a door for more opportunities and drives me to do bigger and better things for the industry.”
Believe in Yourself and Foster Growth The cheers were loud when Amari Schwartz’s name was called for Top Sales Pro of the year. Elias Ventura, 2017 award winner, came up on stage
to help present the award. Schwartz mentioned how much she’s learned from people such as Jason Kranitz and Bryan Schmitt. “I think about the things I’ve been taught and they just make me a better person and a better salesperson,” she said. Chris Cook, president of Mobile Electronics Association, presented her with Eddy Kay’s Toolbox to take home for her and her team. “I couldn’t stop shaking after they called my name,” she said later. “KnowledgeFest is important because you get to further your product, installation and sales knowledge to better yourself and the company you are reflecting. You also get to network and meet amazing contacts you can call friends. I encourage everyone to go for an award, and to put their name out there.” Schwartz also thanked her father, John Schwartz, for his continued support.
