Jason Kranitz of Major League Fab seeks to make education more accessible, while Branden Shuler of DES of Wilmington shares lighting expertise to encourage retailers to diversify.
20// Career Achievement Award: Leading the Way Forward
Enthralled by science fiction and electronics as a boy, Rob Cox set off on a long career in mobile electronics, contributing innovative solutions in the early days of sales and installation.
32// On the Show Floor: We’re Stronger Together
Continued coverage of KnowledgeFest Las Vegas reveals exciting collaborations, new high-performance lines and a continued dedication to presenting the best in every category.
46// Strategy and Tactics: Make it Simple
Brian McKittrick shared his sales strategies for the second time at KnowledgeFest, this time in Las Vegas.
Reflecting on a long career in mobile electronics, Rob Cox advised professionals to keep learning. “Salespeople should respect the installation process,” he said, “and installers need to respect the sales process. They all need training, and there’s a science and a method to selling.” On the cover, Cox accepts his award at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas.
Retail
EDITOR’SFORUMROSASOPHIA• EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
LET CURIOSITY LEAD THE WAY
Take time to honor those who got the whole thing started. How might they inspire us to grow?
When we think of the “why” behind our careers, a few things come to mind—family, friends, a love of the craft. Not everyone has the opportunity to do what they love. Even as I sit here and write this article, I’m doing something I love. What’s my “why”? I like to help people, in whatever capacity I can. Perhaps the answer is the same for you. In considering history and how we’re impacted by those who come before us, I’m reminded of a friend of mine who passed away in 2019 at age 92. His name was Frank Laumer, and he was a historian who inspired so many people that the nonprofit organization he co-founded in 1992—the Seminole Wars Foundation in Florida—is thriving to this day. When it comes to your work in the car audio industry, who first inspired you? Is there a particular person you can think of—someone you admired, someone whose passion, dedication and energy led you to believe in yourself and your own ability to do what you love?
CURIOSITY IS THE KEY TO PASSION AND DETERMINATION
This month, we feature Rob Cox, the recipient of the 2025 Career Achievement Award. During our interview, I was delighted to hear about Rob’s boyhood beginnings in electronics—building Heath kits from Radio Shack, repairing CB radios and making speakers out of Pringles cans for his friends. I could relate to his inherent curiosity. As a kid, he asked, “How does that work?” and made it his mission to find out.
Over the years, I’ve grown to believe that curiosity is the key to most things. It’s not necessary to be a genius, but if you’re really curious about something, that curiosity will ignite passion in your life’s work. “ ”
Over the years, I’ve grown to believe that curiosity is the key to most things. It’s not necessary to be a genius, but if you’re really curious about something, that curiosity will ignite passion in your life’s work. That passion has the power to propel us forward, contributing to a life and a career in which we enjoy every moment of what we do. My own childhood curiosity eventually led me to pursue a degree in automotive repair, while simultaneously exploring the world around me through reading and writing poetry.
IF YOU’RE FEELING UNCERTAIN, REVISIT YOUR “WHY”
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to interview people who continually give back and offer their knowledge in the hopes of helping their peers. The recipients of the yearly Career Achievement Award, and those who’ve been inducted into the Mobile Electronics Hall of Fame, have inspired many. Confucius wrote in The Analects, “When you see someone who is worthy, concentrate upon becoming their equal.”
Perhaps you’re facing a challenge in your career or your personal life—something that leads you to question your “why.” In difficult times, it’s easy to forget the positive things and get caught up in issues which might’ve led to bigger problems. Consider looking back and recalling what you’ve accomplished, how you got here, and who helped you along the way. Is there someone in your life you might emulate, someone who inspires you? Let them teach you, and through that experience, rediscover the inherent curiosity within you and let it guide you forward.
KEEP YOUR FOCUS, KEEP YOUR VISION
Top mobile electronics technicians share lessons learned and advice for their peers.
“The best advice I can give an installer is to keep your focus and vision. Keep your foot on the gas, no matter what the road looks like. There will be good times and bad, but if you keep your focus and your eye on the end result, it will all work out in your favor. Never stop learning.”
- Adam Devine, Devine Concepts Automotive Design, Naples, Fla.
“ The most important thing is communication. The communication between the front and the back of the store is just as important as between you and your client. It only takes one little thing [to create a bad experience].”
- Dan Wilson, Columbus Car Audio and Accessories, Columbus, Ohio
“I had a bad experience that changed how I do things. It happened in the woodshop. It was Christmas years ago and I was working as fast as I could under a deadline. I finished routering a trim piece for a trunk build, turned the router off and went to wipe the MDF dust from the top. I hit the tip of my finger on the still-spinning bit— ripped it apart, bleeding all over, still not done with my job. Luckily, everything healed nicely, but I can’t feel anything on the tip of that finger anymore. Slow down. Be careful when using any type of tool or equipment. The whole thing was avoidable and I got extremely lucky. Because of that accident, I’m now very aware and I always take my time. No incidents since!”
- Jason Singer, PDA Road Gear, Littleton, Colo.
The Mobile Electronics Association shares survey results from retailers across the nation regarding KnowledgeFest Las Vegas 2025.
As an attendee based on your overall experience, how likely are you to recommend attending KnowledgeFest to someone in our industry?
Would recommend it.
Since 2022, how many KnowledgeFest events have you attended?
27% 54% 19%
Did you take advantage of show specials from exhibitors at the event? In terms of your
Las Vegas 2025 was my first KnowledgeFest
I
How helpful was the content presented at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas?
How would you
What was the single most valuable thing you learned at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas?
“The sales trainings and the cutting-edge fabrication classes that took us from 3D scanning to a finished box. Now that was awesome!”
“Ray West showing different applications and devices to re-code certain vehicles. It negates the need for an external module in some cases.”
“Asking questions and networking can get you to places you never knew you wanted to go. Give 100 percent of your attention to KnowledgeFest and you will come back with more drive, new ideas and long-lasting friendships.”
“The value of connection with industry peers to exchange ideas that grow and improve business.”
“How to better my business in ways I have not considered in the past.”
“Taking the 3D scanning class was a great learning experience. I’m hoping to get more hands-on with scanning now.”
WHAT TO READ
Build a Business You Love: Mastering the Five Stages of Business
BY DAVE RAMSEY
As a business leader, you will face many challenges and fears as your grow your company. Dave Ramsey gets it because he’s been there. Over the past 30 years, he and his team have taken both right and wrong turns as they worked to build his one-man financial counseling business into Ramsey Solutions. In this book, Ramsey shares the EntreLeadership System, which takes the guesswork out of growth for business owners, and the five stages of growth that every business has to conquer to reach its potential. Ramsey breaks down each stage and its unique challenges to help you solve the right problems, at the right time, in the right way. Learn to navigate everything business ownership throws at you—from hiring and training to creating and operating a budget to nailing down strategic plans that get results.
WHAT TO LISTEN TO
Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios
Hosted by tennis player Nick Kyrgios, this video podcast series explores the personal journeys of individuals who make waves by doing things their own way. Inspired by Kyrgios himself—his unorthodox style and impulse to defy the norm—the series, started in 2024, features a wide range of guests. A past episode featured John McEnroe. Despite the heavy criticism for both McEnroe’s and Kyrgios’s controversial behavior, they both agree that their fiery personalities bring a muchneeded energy to the ATP Tour. Further, they discuss the toll of negative media coverage on their mental health and share aspirations to leave a positive legacy for the next generation. Another guest on the podcast was Matthew McConaughey, who shares his journey from Hollywood heartthrob to a figure of grounded wisdom. McConaughey discusses his experience writing Greenlights, where he spent 52 days alone in the desert, finding clarity through years of personal journals. Episodes run anywhere from 25 to 40, perfect for the commute to and from work.
WHAT TO READ
Who Believed in You: How Purposeful Mentorship Changes the World
BY DAVID MCCORMICK AND DINA POWELL MCCORMICK
When you have a mentor, it can make a big difference. This book reinforces the value of those who see something in someone who might not see it themselves. Mentors and mentees can help each other make an impact in their own lives, in the organizations in which they work, and in their communities and beyond. Who Believed in You shares mentorship stories of well-known leaders and influencers including Stephen A. Schwarzman, CEO of The Blackstone Group; fashion designer Tory Burch; Alex Gorsky, former CEO of Johnson & Johnson; David Chang, James Beard-award-winning chef and restauranteur; and others. The book unpacks four critical elements of transformative mentorship and offers guideposts and illustrations from actual mentorship journeys that both show the way and also inspire.
WHAT TO SEE
Slug Bug Ranch (and Cadillac Ranch)
Headed to Dallas this summer for KnowledgeFest? Consider taking a side trip. These artistic automotive installations can be found along Interstate 40. On Amarillo’s east side, the Slug Bug Ranch lines up a row of Volkswagen Beetles nose-down in the dirt. Make sure you arrive hungry because The Big Texan restaurant has a 72-ounce steak challenge—no need to make a reservation. The meal includes shrimp cocktail, baked potato, salad, roll with butter, and of course, the 72-oz steak, but it all must be eaten within one hour. You pay upfront. If you complete the challenge, your money is refunded to you. If not, you can take the leftovers to go! After your meal, head to the legendary Cadillac Ranch, where 10 classic Caddies stand saluting the Texas sky. Grab a can of spray paint and leave your mark on these weathered automotive canvases.
Jason Kranitz of Major League Fab aims to make courses more accessible to busy professionals, while Branden Shuler of DES of Wilmington shares lighting expertise to encourage service diversification.
WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA
A GROWING THROUGH INNOVATION AND EDUCATION
t KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, Major League Fab presented its product offerings on the show floor, as well as a long-awaited new schedule of online courses. Jason Kranitz of Major League Fab said he aims to offer people more accessible educational opportunities. When students attend trainings, they often have to close the shop for a few days, he said, “And then they’re away from their
families, too, during that time.” The online classes give attendees the chance to save money on travel. Kranitz also feels that a weekly-class model is more effective than one workshop held at a single show.
“We can reach more people this way,” he said, adding, “I spent the last year building three studios in the shop and I’m working on our fourth one now.”
To view free content, visit @MajorLeagueFab on YouTube. Those interested
in signing up for virtual training classes can check out www.majorleaguefab.com to learn more.
Meanwhile, Branden Shuler of DES of Wilmington in Wilmington, North Carolina, taught a class for business owners on incorporating amber lighting into service offerings. Both Kranitz and Shuler continue to share their knowledge and skillsets in the hopes of continuing to grow and support the mobile electronics industry.
EXPANDING REVENUE STREAMS
At a recent MESA Summit, Shuler presented a class on amber lighting. DES of Wilmington has grown from its beginnings in a trailer to its current 6,000-square-foot building, according to Shuler, who said that amber lighting and fleet work have become an essential component to DES’s growth and evolution. The business has been doing fleet work for a little over five years.
“Everyone is looking for new ideas,” he explained. “We’re all trying to figure out what we can bring to the table to add to what we’re already doing.” Car audio is still a good business, he added, but businesses need additional revenue streams to help offer support when one category, such as car audio, slows down. DES ensures its lighting solutions meet SAE
guidelines as well as the requirements of the Department of Transportation. The shop does installation work for local fleets, and one of its biggest clients is Public Utility.
“It’s the local water company. The one in our county has 150 vehicles, and they have a yearly budget to spend on vehicles and accessories. They have to spend that budget, so we keep their fleet up to date with the latest amber lighting,” Shuler explained. “They probably go through 10 vehicles every year at a minimum. If the new vehicles don’t have cameras, Bluetooth, amber lights, step bars—we pretty much do anything they require to make their fleet uniform and safe.” Fleet work offers opportunities for continuous sources of income for mobile electronics businesses, Shuler said.
When DES works with NCDOT, the business offers a package which includes front lights, rear lights and an overhead light with a drill-free Acari mount. In this endeavor, DES has partnered with companies like MasTec and Cekra, as well as the City of Wilmington, NC.
If a business is interested in expanding into fleet work and amber lighting, Shuler advised owners to research their state’s guidelines. “Some states need certificates to run amber lights,” he said, adding that different vehicles run different lights. “Red is used for fire, blue for police—but also, some states have different guidelines.”
It takes time to build momentum, he noted. “You have to go out and start knocking on doors. Reach out to your Public Utility company and find out who handles aftermarket accessories. Once you
get in the door and start doing fleet deals, people start talking and business begins trickling in. But you’re definitely going to have to knock on the right doors to start doing business.” He added that online content marketing has also helped raise awareness of DES’s offerings.
“It used to be that if you typed in ‘amber emergency lights’ in Google in Wilmington, nothing came up. I added a section on our website for amber emergency flashing lights—a whole page—and now we’re the only thing that comes up for our area.”
ADDITIONAL SKILLSETS HELP BUSINESSES REACH NEW CLIENTELE
For busy shops, Kranitz said, it can be hard to travel in-person to trainings. He’s devised a way to offer continued education online with a hands-on component. Pre-COVID, he said, he hosted online CAD drawing classes. Why not expand it?
“We decided on a studio. We have monitors, mics and camera mounts everywhere,” Kranitz said. “We have 16 cameras in the fabrication area. Students will have a front-seat view.” While he added that in-person trainings are important, it can be difficult to give everyone a chance to see the action up-close—especially when the training room is packed.
Major League Fab’s new online classes keep students engaged with weekly assignments, which are designed to hone newly acquired skillsets.
“When I have 20 to 25 people in a class, I have to have two or three assistant instructors with me,” Kranitz explained.
“You can only do so much.” Students then go home with new skillsets, “but they have to put them down because the shop is full and they have things to do. Life happens. The want to get back to it, but the next thing you know, time goes by and pretty soon they’ve lost everything they learned in person. They might remember some of it, but they aren’t retaining it.”
This is where a well-executed online course can help keep the information top-of-mind, he said. “Major League Fab’s courses are six, eight and 12-weeks, with two hours per week. The students log in and have assignments and homework, projects they’ll have to build that have to be turned in for the next week. Since this is consistent training, they’re going to learn a lot more over time than they can in one in-person class.”
Major League Fab is launching a couple of different shows on YouTube. They’ll also be offering product reviews. “We will have free trainings available and also paid trainings. We also have Shop Talk, a bi-weekly show on the YouTube channel. We’ll cover industry topics, interviews and products.” The online classes have been a long time in the making, according to Kranitz, who said he wanted to ensure everything was ready before launching. “We just launched our online laser class. It’s a six-week course, and we had all the products in our booth on the show floor.”
The course began on March fourth. “We will be covering maintenance and set-up.” He added that the first laser class took place in January of 2019. The online classes eliminate the obstacle of travel costs, Kranitz said, including the flight, Uber and meals. “There are benefits to in-person events, like networking and everything else, but there’s still this cost,” he said, which can be prohibitive and overwhelming.
Applying new skillsets and raising awareness in-store will contribute to growing a business, according to Shuler, who said clients will come in and say
Branden Shuler of DES of Wilmington seeks to assist business owners who want to expand into amber lighting, which he said offers an opportunity for consistent revenue and growth.
they didn’t realize his business offered certain services.
When it comes to fleet work, Shuler suggested pursuing larger phone and cable companies and utility companies. He again advised retailers to make sure they do their homework and research local requirements.
“Once you’ve learned the rules and regulations, and started getting customers through the door, you’re really going to be pricing the same package almost every time.”
Companies will send jobs out for bid, he said, adding that once they trust a business, they may sign a contract.
“Once you get a big enough client, the word of mouth starts. I just wish I got into this sooner.” Also, he noted, when a driver moves from one company to another, they will often make a recommendation. “Someone might say, ‘We need new lights,’ and the driver might throw a name out: ‘We were using DES and they were great,’ for example. The
Major League Fab displayed new products on the show floor at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, as well as announcing upcoming online courses.
biggest thing for us has been word of mouth.”
DES’s fleet work has also led to other opportunities. One of the companies they work with recently reached out with a different sort of request, according to Shuler.
“They wanted individual door plaques made for each door in an apartment building. We made eight different test prints before we found one they liked. It’s a CNC etch along with a laser print and a paint at the end, finished with a clear coating. Your work can take you anywhere.” For example, the business has even worked with local movie studios, and manufactured a part that was used on the set of a Netflix show.
“You have to be open-minded,” Shuler said, adding, “I try not to say no to anything, and that’s opened a lot of doors for me.” In the future, he hopes to teach classes on business expansion and fleet work, to share what he’s learned with others in the industry.
LEADING THE WAY FORWARD
Enthralled by science fiction and electronics as a boy, Rob Cox set off on a long career in mobile electronics, contributing innovative solutions in the early days of sales and installation.
WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA
Career Achievement
At the Industry Awards banquet at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas this past February, Rob Cox stepped up on stage to accept the Career Achievement Award. Chris Cook, president of Mobile Electronics Association, spoke a few words on his background, adding, “Some people pour their hearts into the industry and we want to make sure they’re remembered for their contributions.”
Later, during a telephone interview, Cox traced the beginnings of his career from his boyhood interest in electronics and science
fiction. To this day, he collects Star Trek memorabilia and artifacts.
“As a kid, I saw the communicator being used and a part of me asked, ‘How would that work?’ I saw the lights and the console on the bridge of the Enterprise, and I thought, ‘How can I build that?’ I had a little section of my room at home with a console and blinking lights I’d created to mimic what I saw on TV. I wanted it, so I wired it.”
Cox bought Heath kits at Radio Shack to build things like small electric motors, and made speakers out of old Pringles cans,
which could be plugged into personal televisions, a Walkman or a cassette player. He sold or gave away these speakers to his friends. When he was 13, his father—a truck driver—brought home a CB radio. Cox repaired it, adding that his father then told all his trucker friends about his son’s abilities. “Once I started doing that, I’d go with him to the yard where all the trucks were. They didn’t know how to do the installation, so I would install the CB radios, too.”
As a teenager, Cox had a friend who was given an old car. “I remember the first time I cut into the rear deck of a car.
The factory holes were 6-by-8 and I had to enlarge them to 6-by-9. There was lot of trial and error in learning to do that,” he said, adding, “This blossomed into someone saying, ‘I have a radio. Can you do something with that?’ Soon, I was earning extra money working out of my parents’ driveway.”
PASSION, EDUCATION AND INNOVATION LEAD THE WAY FORWARD
Cox began installing for two Circuit City stores and 11 Radio Shack locations in the greater Chattanooga area. “You want to learn as much as you can about the business,” he said, adding that he referred to Crutchfield’s fit guide and found it lacking. “I created a resource of my own.” Next, he began communicating with them. “They asked me if I installed, and I said yes. They sent me a survey, which I completed and the next time their magazine came out, I was listed on a map of certified installers in
the southeastern United States. There were only four of us. I felt like I’d hit the big time.” Soon, he said, Crutchfield was sending him customers from as far as four hours away.
Cox went to work for the Tennessee Credit Union League, but the job still led him back to electronics. “They sold printing services to credit unions in the state, and the credit unions would give away electronics as prizes when people signed up for a bank account.”
While they purchased a lot of electronics, including 8-track and cassette players, Cox said the equipment was often returned because no one knew how to install it. “They knew I was doing installation work at night and on weekends, so they asked if I would be interested in it.” He then took the opportunity to acquire the items cheaply, repair them and resell them, adding, “I made enough to pay for a car and then another car. Soon, I was the only 18-year-old I knew who had two Corvettes.”
Cox’s continued passion for automotive electronics led him to found Soundwave Systems with a friend. The shop was a brick-and-mortar location, which continued to do installation work for Circuit City and Radio Shack. Through Soundwave Systems, Cox began working on car audio display boards at Circuit City. He noted that Circuit City had a division called Store Technical Service, or STS, which would come and take head units out of displays to replace them with new models, but only every three to five months.
“Suddenly, they had this kid who’s willing to come in and rewire the board and make it work properly and install all their new stuff,” he said, adding that Soundwave Systems maintained the boards. Cox began to notice that the salespeople didn’t have any knowledge about speaker size or whether or not a head unit would fit in a particular vehicle. “The customer would just point at something and say, ‘I want that,’ but they
Career Achievement
didn’t know the size of the speaker they needed or the size of the application for the dash.” This meant a lot of time was wasted. “A customer would come to us and the size was wrong. We’d pack them up and send them back to Circuit City.”
This prompted Cox to create a fit guide of his own. “I used colored dots to put next to all the radios to let them know the type of radio, the size, whether the chassis was smaller or larger, and the depth of the product. Eventually, I installed a Commodore 64 computer with a floppy drive fit guide for them to use.” The sales team, he said, loved this new tool. The new tools and training caused sales to skyrocket in both Circuit City stores where Cox serviced audio displays.
“One day in 1983, I was working on a car audio board when the Southern Division President of Circuit City came in and wanted to know why these two locations in Chattanooga had the highest volume of car audio sales, the lowest number of returns and why they were both ranked number one and number two in customer service,” he explained, adding, “The store managers pointed to me and said, ‘See that kid? He’s the reason why.’ Circuit City offered me a job on the spot.”
BUILDING ON THE BASICS
In the mid-80s, Circuit City began experimenting with adding installation shops to their newly built superstores. Cox was asked to run the Circuit City Road Shop in Nashville. He recalled working in a shop with two bays, no air conditioning, and no dedicated restroom. “We were just in a building that was stuck on the side of what they’d just built.” When it came to the basics, he said, “That’s what I’ve been successful with in my career—accessories, doing the demo correctly and building rapport with the customer.” Circuit City, he said, did something that none of the other big box stores were doing at the time. “We decided early on to keep labor, parts and accessories completely separate from the store’s sale of the equipment to be installed.” Often, a salesperson or store manager wanted to discount the labor
first, “and labor was the highest profit margin item we had. It just didn’t make sense. I always asked for the store to give a subsequent discount on their end. It was a negotiation.”
Due to his success in making the Nashville location more profitable, Cox was asked to go to Richmond to Circuit City’s headquarters, eventually taking the title of Road Shop Division Manager, where he opened new markets and oversaw multiple states.
After 11 years there, he left Circuit City and went to work for Incredible Universe in the early 90s—a chain of 16 stores owned by the Tandy Corporation, scattered across the United States.
“It was like CES meets Disney World,” he recalled. Employees were called “cast members.” Cox was “show producer,” he said, adding “directors,” or managers, were in charge of various departments. “It was the most fun you’d ever have in a retail store.” Unfortunately, despite making 1.2 million dollars on its grand opening day, the store where he worked closed down after six months. “Making a lot of money doesn’t always equate to making a lot of profit. Tandy was on the leading edge of determining people’s buying habits. My store had the largest footprint. They overstaffed immensely,” he said, with over 300 employees in one location.
“In one month, I did over 400 cellular activations. But if you’re giving away your choice of a microwave oven or a VCR with the activation of a phone— well, sure, you can do a lot of them.” He noted that giving away such expensive prizes probably wasn’t a wise choice for the company.
From there, Cox joined Directed Electronics as the Regional Manager for a large part of the Southeastern U.S. He then entered the cellular field with BellSouth Mobility, Nextel and ended with 11 years as Regional Manager for Sprint. Eventually, his path took him back to Chattanooga. After his years of experience in the mobile electronics industry, he said, he found himself hiring a painting company to do some work at his house. “They asked me what I was going to do. I said, ‘I don’t know,
probably retire.’” Then, the painting company offered him a job. “My wife told me, ‘You’ll be bored. Take it.’ Parttime became full-time within a month, and in 90 days I was the operations manager. Within six months, I’m now the general manager of the company and the owner retired—which is what I was supposed to do.” He laughed, adding, “Now I run a painting and remodeling company.”
AT THE FOREFRONT OF TRAINING AND EDUCATION
These days, Cox said, people tend to have a low opinion of big-box stores— but looking back on his career, he noted that Circuit City had a high-quality training program. “It was an entirely different thing. It was driven by quality installations. We had standards we maintained until the very last day.” Seat covers, floor mats and fender covers were used to protect vehicles. Connections were soldered and wiring was kept neat and clean. The training program, he added, preceded MECP. “MECP actually came to me and wanted to model a program after what we were doing. I served as the MECP Proctor of the year for about four to five years when I worked with DEI and my own rep firm.” Like Circuit City, Incredible Universe also had its own training program called Incredible University.
Over the years, Cox attended CES in Las Vegas and “the Mobile Electronics Show back at the old convention center. You always had to work the show,” he recalled. “Go in, build the display, get everything working and then work 12 hours a day for three or four days while the show went on.”
He urged today’s mobile electronics professionals to embrace knowledge, adding, “KnowledgeFest is a great place to go and get that information. Find out what others are doing right and replicate it. Always be seeking new information.”
Salespeople, he said, should respect the installation process, “and installers need to respect the sales process. They all need training, and there’s a science
and a method to selling. Also, never discount the importance of accessory sales. They can make or break the shop.”
He recalled an experience in the early days of car audio when a 1992 Honda Civic came into the bay. It was a slow day, he said, with five installers working in three bays. “We finished the whole thing, every bit of it, from the arrival to rolling it out—in six minutes. Someone was on the bench wiring the radio to the harness. People were popping out the speakers. Think NASCAR. The car comes pre-wired, but the customer doesn’t know that. I had two cars that were no-shows and one that was running late. When they pulled the customer’s car out of the bay, she ran up and said, ‘Is everything okay? Aren’t you going to do the install?’”
While it was impressive to complete it so fast, the customer felt it shouldn’t cost as much. In the end, she spoke to the store manager and was given a discount. “A lot of shops feel like it’s their job to service the customer and get them out of the store as fast as possible,” he said. “And that’s one of their biggest detriments because when you build that relationship, you’re planting seeds. They’ll tell their family and friends about their experience.”
Everything is an education process, he said, adding, “We’re learning and then we need to communicate that effectively to our customer base.” At KnowledgeFest this past February, Cox said he was “blown away by the level of detail” and commitment to “helping our industry. And you know,” he added, “it’s really your industry now.”
New Fab Room Increases Efficiency and Production at DES
of Wilmington
WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA
According to Branden Shuler, owner of Wilmington, North Carolina-based DES of Wilmington, the business had already been moving in a direction that necessitated increased autonomy and the ability to manufacture parts when needed. The team recently completed construction of its fab room out of the business’s existing warehouse space. Branden Shuler and the business’s lead technician, Josh Thaxton, pictured here, collaborated on the design.
“We realized we needed larger and more advanced equipment, so we acquired a CNC router.” The fabrication area also has a saw stop table saw, 3D printer, laser printer and four routing stations. “You can use three or four different routing bits without changing them, which increases the speed of custom fabrication,” he said, adding that the team is always pushing themselves to be the best they can be.
When it comes to custom jobs, the shop often needs to manufacture items that don’t exist. “We’re constantly
manufacturing things that are not readily available elsewhere. Using a CNC laser or 3D printer helps expedite these projects. We make all of our own vehicle-specific adapters,” Shuler said. “We can pick the vehicle, hit print and it manufactures it for us, so we don’t have to stock a bunch of adapters. Plus, our custom adapters are three times the thickness, which makes the system sound and perform better. We just have a lot more that we can do now.” When it comes to manufacturing subwoofer enclosures, he said, DES is able to input the specs and easily manufacture them. Additionally, the team uses the CNC for custom van builds when it comes to creating upper and lower cabinets, flooring and wall panels.
This takes time, though, Shuler said. “You have to get all of those specifications into the system first. It’s not something that happens overnight. We’re constantly putting more specs in every day. Eventually, we’ll get to a point where the majority of the vehicles and items we’re working on are preloaded into the system, and at that point all we need to do is click print.”
The process of building out the fab shop was relatively straightforward. There was only one thing they hadn’t anticipated: “We didn’t realize we’d have to bring a whole other electrical service into the building in order to power all the machinery,” Shuler said, adding, “There are always complications, but we just work through them.”
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WE’RE STRONGER TOGETHER
Continued coverage of KnowledgeFest Las Vegas reveals exciting collaborations, new high-performance lines and a continued dedication to presenting the best in every category.
METRA ELECTRONICS PRESENTS INSTALL KITS IN COLLABORATION WITH UK-BASED VIBE AUDIO
Metra Electronics has collaborated with UK-based Vibe Audio to present install kits to dealers, a one-stop-shop for a complete audio package. Metra provides harnesses and wiring, while Vibe Audio provides speakers, subwoofers and amplifiers. All packages come ready to install. Kits are available for various models including GMC and Chevy trucks (2019 to 2024). For Jeeps 2024 and up, two kits are offered—one factory-amplified and one non-amplified. Finally, kits for Jeep Wrangler JL 2018 to 2023 are also available with dash tweeters, pods, amplifiers, speakers and subwoofers.
INFINITY BY HARMAN 10-INCH AND 12-INCH REFERENCE SHALLOW SUBWOOFER ENCLOSURE
Infinity’s shallow subwoofer enclosures have been engineered using a sealed enclosure with down-firing reference shallow subwoofer and passive radiator. This approach delivers tight, accurate bass performance while taking up minimal space for installation into a broader variety of vehicle types and locations. The enclosure is designed with removable feet which allows for flexible placement. A removable logo badge is included so it can be placed wherever it’s preferred. The sturdy medium-density fiberboard construction and black carpet allows it to resist stacking weight. A metal bracket set can also be provided.
VELOCITY AUDIO LINE OF SPEAKERS AND AMPLIFIERS FOR MOTORCYCLES
Velocity presents pro-audio style speakers for motorcycles, designed for a high level of sound quality, intended to help make the job easier for technicians. The aim is to offer all the advantages of a refined highefficiency pro-audio product.
PIONEER DEMONSTRATES SPATIAL AUDIO ON THE SHOW FLOOR
In the Pioneer booth at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, the company demonstrated the experience of spatial audio to attendees. While a luxury vehicle might have 20 speakers, the demo car only has six, according to a company representative. Listeners were able to sit in the vehicle, close their eyes and hear the music from the front, back and above them, to mimic a concert experience.
12V DASHBOARD PRESENTS NEW TOOLS FOR SHOP WEBSITES, PLUS VEHICLE CHECK-IN
At KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, 12V Dashboard launched a new vehicle check-in tool which allows a store to check a vehicle in before it’s worked on. The checklist is also customizable for each shop. Additionally, the software can be used to check the vehicle out, as well, when the job is complete. Finally, an email will be sent to the client to prompt them to leave a Google review. The company has also presented an opportunity for shops to present a Fit Guide right on their website. This way, any client can use the shop’s website to search accurate information for their vehicle—instead of going to an outside source via Google.
INTOXALOCK PARTNERS WITH INSTALLERNET, HELPING TO CONNECT CUSTOMERS WITH RETAILERS
At KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, Intoxalock representatives spoke with attendees about incorporating ignition interlocks into their service offerings. Jeff Peck is the Director of Strategic Partnerships with Intoxalock and Mindr, its parent company. He stated that Intoxalock aims to change the way ignition interlock customers are perceived.
“Our customer base is anybody and everybody. It’s your neighbor, your grandma, your teacher, someone who made a mistake and now they have to pay their debt to society. They’re looking to get their life back on track. A
big part of their experience is their interaction with service centers and technicians,” he explained. “Our technicians are the face of what we do. InstallerNet has the highest-rated technicians in the industry, so this was a really good partnership for us. InstallerNet also prioritizes customer experience, and they rate their network based on customer feedback. That’s really important to me.”
While at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, Peck spoke with retailers about the opportunity to expand their customer base and delve into a new revenue stream. “We’ll be sending customers
into your shop to get services on ignition interlocks. This gives the retailer an opportunity to build a relationship with that customer” which may lead to customer interest in other services, as well. Peck also pointed to InstallerNet’s software, which he noted takes a lot of the administrative burden off of the shop owners.
As part of the partnership, Intoxalock is introducing the Easy IID Program, which leverages InstallerNet’s AI-driven platform technology to simplify pricing and scheduling, and provide customers with pricing based on vehicle type, market conditions and state
requirements. Customers will also have the option to prepay for installation appointments, reducing costly no-shows and ensuring service centers receive guaranteed compensation.
Existing Intoxalock Service Centers can apply to join the Easy IID Program by visiting installers.InstallerNet.com and selecting “Apply Now.” Current InstallerNet members can add Intoxalock by selecting “Additional Program Applications” after logging in. If they prefer, service centers can opt out of calibrations to focus exclusively on installation and de-installation work.
LUCAS LIGHTING MX-H1/H3 HEADLIGHT BULB PAIR
The MX-H1/H3 headlight pair from Lucas Lighting is an easy-to-install improved headlight bulb. MX series bulbs are designed to last longer than halogen bulbs and deliver more usable light to the road, preventing glare from affecting oncoming vehicles when properly installed and aimed. The H1/H3 combination covers both in one application and comes with adapter harnesses and easy-to-remove collars so the bulb can be switched from H1 to H3.
ORCA RAVEN DESIGN STUDIO LINE OF SUBWOOFERS, MIDRANGE, DRIVERS AND TWEETERS
At KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, ORCA presented prototypes of the new Raven Design Studio products, including an 8-, 10- and 12-inch subwoofer, all custom-tooled and designed to work well in a small enclosure. The new line is small, but powerful.
DS18 ENCOURAGES RETAILERS TO EXPAND SERVICE OFFERINGS TO SLINGSHOT OWNERS
The Slingshot world has become its own category, according to a DS18 representative who said that retailers can now offer these plug-and-play, userfriendly solutions to their customers. To demonstrate what’s possible, DS18 showed off a 2024 Slingshot SLR, fully customized by the company. The fender side mount is new for 2025. It’s also customizable and can be painted. It comes with an RGB digital badge, featuring color-shifting.
On the inside, the Slingshot featured ported 10-inch subwoofer enclosures, designed for DS18’s ZR Series. Each subwoofer has the ability to handle 750 watts RMS. The vehicle also displayed DS18’s new headrests which come with built-in digital RGB lights, with the ability to mount either one speaker or two. A cover is included, so the vehicle owner can choose to cover the inside, if desired, and project sound outside.
The new armrest also provides lighting options. New door panels feature the DS18 logo and RGB digital lights. A badge can be removed to install a tweeter. The vehicle also showed off DS18’s carbon fiber water-resistant speakers. All products come with a lifetime warranty.
DS18 also presented its new waterfall central console, capable of fitting an 8-inch and a super tweeter. According to the company, it also comes in plastic, but the model on display was wrapped in leather. “For 2025, we added the new subwoofer enclosure which fits two 6.5-inch subs under the glove box. Anything you want to add can be added to it,” said the company rep, adding, “We wanted to do something different.”
THINKWARE U3000 PARKING SURVEILLANCE
The Thinkware U3000 features Sony’s advanced STARVIS 2 sensor. The dash cam captures clear footage in 4K or 2K resolution. It offers radar parking mode to minimize energy consumption while parked, as well as ThinkConnected capability to remotely live view the dash cam. The integrated GPS allows the user to monitor the vehicle’s speed and location, while Wi-Fi connectivity enables fast and convenient file transfers.
The TXX-BDX-15 from Audiopipe is a high-performance 15-inch competition subwoofer designed for superior sound quality and durability. Featuring three powerful magnets for increased power handling and enhanced voice coil ventilation, this subwoofer ensures optimal performance under extreme conditions. With a peak power of 4,000 watts and 2,000 watts RMS, it delivers deep, distortion-free bass. The aluminum basket, ultra-stiff PP dust cap, and black stitched surround provide exceptional durability, while the multiconnect terminals allow for easy wiring in parallel or series configurations.
POWERBASS INTRODUCES THE LATEST IN NEW PBX PRO SERIES, THE NEW PBX-PRO CD
PowerBass has released the latest in the PBXPRO CD Series, featuring a one-inch Aluminum Compression Horn Tweeter inside a mid-range with a Butyl Rubber Surround allowing for deeper low frequency response. It’s partnered with a treated pressed paper cone for a warm and full sound while still being safe from the elements. The PBX-PRO CD Co-Axials offer a full sound. The PBXPROCD Series is sold in pairs and is available in 6.5-inch, 8-inch and 6x9-inch models.
SOUNDIGITAL USA UNVEILS NEW XP SERIES OF AMPLIFIERS AT KNOWLEDGEFEST LAS VEGAS
SounDigital presented a new line of amplifiers at KnowledgeFest. The company has combined features from the EVOX2 and EVOPS lines to create SounDigital XP. The line features 50 percent more copper on the PCB, increasing current flow, as well as improved vibration resistance and improved inductors, capacitors and upgraded op-amps for improved sound quality and extended frequency response. Centered around power range models from 400 to 8000 watts RMS, this new series of amplifiers features improved internals to help decrease distortion while increasing efficiency and extending the frequency range of the amplifier. SounDigital spent quite a bit of time updating current flow capabilities within the amplifier to improve an already outstanding thermal control system, and altered the amplifiers vibration absorbance capabilities to help this new series of car audio amplifiers survive the harsh environments of the motorcycle audio world.
THINKWARE Q850 FRONT
The Thinkware Q850 Front offers good value for a customer who might have a more limited budget. It is Thinkware connected and utilizes Sony’s STARVIS image sensor. It offers advanced features like built-in GPS, a speed camera database and advanced parking mode, making it an ideal companion for any driver.
ZZ2 INTRODUCES ZZCONNECT+ WIRELESS CASTING AND CONNECTIVITY SOLUTION FOR IN-VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT
ZZ2 recently announced the launch of ZZConnect+, a plug-andplay HDMI solution for retailers, installers and car enthusiasts. This wireless casting and HDMI connectivity device is designed to revolutionize in-car entertainment, with no hotspot needed! ZZConnect+ seamlessly integrates with factory systems, providing a plug-and-play solution for high-quality HDMI video casting, wireless CarPlay, and Android Auto. ZZConnect+ also expands entertainment possibilities by supporting external HDMI devices, including Roku TV, Amazon FireStick, Gaming Consoles and more, to cast your favorite streaming services like NETFLIX, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+ and much more. Designed to enhance factory infotainment systems. It can also be paired with ZZPLAY or MPPLAY units and kits.
2000 BMW E46 WAGON FEATURES FULL MOBILE ES SYSTEM AT KNOWLEDGEFEST
On the show floor at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, Sony Car Audio showed off a 2000 BMW E46 wagon featuring a full Mobile ES sound system. The vehicle owner is a professional drifter driver, Dylan Hughes, whose shop—Dylan Hughes Racing—completed the entire build. The car features the Sony Mobile ES 7-inch XAV-9000-ES head unit, a set of XS160ES 6.5inch coaxials in the front, and a set of XS690ES 6x9 coaxials in the rear. All the equipment is powered by the XM5ES 5-channel amplifier under the dash. In the hatch, there are two XSW104ES 10-inch subwoofers.
MAKE IT SIMPLE
Brian McKittrick shared his sales strategies for the second time at KnowledgeFest, this
WORDS BY ROSA SOPHIA
At KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, author and insurance broker Brian McKittrick presented on sales strategies. He noted that one of the most important first steps is presentation, advising attendees to always dress professionally. “In a professional atmosphere, we need to operate and act professionally,” he said. McKittrick is the author of It Ain’t Rocket Surgery: 21 Simple Tips that will Take Your Sales to the Moon! He also hosts a podcast of the same name.
time in Las Vegas.
“Humans have a tendency to over-complicate […] We research, then research, and research some more,” he writes, adding that he wants to give “sales pros of all walks of life simple action items that will make an impact” on growing a business.
McKittrick first joined the lineup of KnowledgeFest presenters last year in Dallas. He currently works in sales for an insurance company, but prior to that,
he began his journey in the retail music industry. “I’ve been a bass player since 1994. I started selling musical instruments in 1999. I ran different retail shops and home electronics,” he said, adding, “Customers appreciate simplicity. If something has too many moving parts, you’ll probably lose somebody.”
WHEN IT COMES TO SALES, MAKE IT SIMPLE
During his presentation, McKittrick kept returning to the essential foundation of simplicity in the sales process. “When someone comes into your store, they’re not looking for what makes a system go boom,” he said, alluding to the complicated details. “They’re looking
for the boom. They want that. I want to talk about making sales simple.” He recalled a sales manager he knew in the early 2000s who frequently said to him, “Always be closing.”
McKittrick said, “I thought to myself, ‘What does that actually mean?’ In my mind, it has to do with making everything that leads up to the sale easier.” He asked attendees to consider their processes and procedures in their stores. “If something is working, why not do it 100 percent of the time?” he said. Referring to sports, McKittrick noted that through practice, we’re able to eliminate what went wrong or improve upon our skills. At a shop, the technicians will run through a checklist.
“They’re focused on a process. It’s the
same thing with basketball. If he misses a shot, he knows where he messed up because he does the same thing every single time. Do you have a script for your sales process? A lot of people don’t like the word ‘script.’ Many salespeople want to do it their own way. [In my experience] outsell me first, and then you can change the processes and procedures. It’s okay to have a mechanized process. If you mechanize the process, you eliminate variables.”
BE ENGAGED AND DEMONSTRATE YOU’RE LISTENING
When first speaking with a customer, it’s important to remember to collect their name and contact information. If it’s a phone conversation, getting their number
will help in case the call is dropped or signal is lost. In person, it helps to build the shop’s list of potential leads.
“Be engaged. Be actively present in the moment,” McKittrick said. “If a salesperson is playing around on their phone or fidgeting with stuff, are they in the moment? No. Eliminate distractions when you’re qualifying someone.”
He also suggested a cheat sheet so that salespeople remember qualifying questions. Role-playing in-store can also be a good way of practicing. In his business, McKittrick said salespeople use an AI software called Balto to offer prompts. “You can put the script on a salesperson’s screen and it’s like a roadmap to the sale,” he said. “You can
also input your notes in your CRM,” or Customer Relationship Management system.
To demonstrate you’re listening, McKittrick said it’s important to paraphrase or repeat statements and ask qualifying questions. For example, “If I understand you correctly, you’re saying you need…” This is how a person knows you’re truly listening, he said. “You also have more power in your voice if you’re standing up,” he added. “Stand up when you’re presenting.”
During his time selling guitars, McKittrick said it was impossible to show a client every guitar in the place. “We literally had 30-foot walls of guitars at one of our stores. There’s a difference between a $200 guitar and a $2,000 guitar and a $20,000 guitar. There are reasons for any of those to be purchased. You just have to find out what the customer is looking for beyond the price.”
When qualifying a customer, he said, “In a lot of cases, it’s not, ‘I want to find
the one thing they should buy.’ It’s actually eliminating everything they won’t buy. Through asking the right questions, I’m finding out what they don’t want. Listen to what they’re saying. This makes qualifying easier.”
CLARIFY THE OBJECTION AND HELP TO RESOLVE IT
Benefits build value and features cost money, McKittrick told the audience. “A hot button is a topic, concern or need that strongly resonates with the customer. It’s what’s most important to them. The mobile electronics industry is not really need-based. GPS and dash cams are need-based items. Fleets need trackers and cameras. But if you’re not selling a need-based item, you have to sell a want.”
Once you’ve learned what the customer is looking for, he said, “Tell them, ‘Because you said this, I recommend you buy this.’
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You’re saying, ‘I hear you.’ To say ‘I recommend’—that’s a powerful statement to come from a professional. Doctors use those words, dentists, insurance agents. If you say, ‘Based on my professional experience, I would recommend this,’ that’s a very powerful statement.”
The salesperson should qualify the customer by presenting information, answering questions, overcoming any objections and then closing the sale. “In order to do that,” he added, “you need to be present in the moment.”
Every client is different, he said. “Every single client has their own needs, their own budget. There’s no one thing that fits everyone. What is an objection? What does it mean? It’s a reason they’re not moving forward. Are you going to close every single person? Absolutely not. But if someone gives you an objection, and they’re still in the building, are they still interested?”
An objection, he noted, is a term for something that the salesperson needs to overcome. “Fix it, and we can do business.
If you see an objection more as a problem to solve, you won’t be scared of objections. Once again, it’s all about simplicity. Clarify the objection. ‘If I understand you correctly, we need to resolve this.’ Get clarity on that one single thing. Then, find a way to get a commitment. ‘If I’m able to resolve that, would there be anything else keeping you from moving forward?’ You can’t fight the battle on multiple fronts. You need to narrow it down.”
When he worked at Guitar Center, McKittrick said, someone mentioned the condition of the store as part of the sales process. “That really resonated with me. If you were to take your car to a shop, would you rather take it to a nice, clean dealership that knows what they’re doing or a mechanic around the corner who has a stack of tires out front, a broken gate and a busted door? Part of your sales process has to be what I call the pre-approach.”
Long before a customer even comes in, he said, the shop should have a website, trained salespeople and a clean, orderly business. “The look, the physical location and how you handle yourself and your appearance is all part of this.” Training is essential, he added. “You have to know your products, or you’re no different than Amazon.” He again referred back to simplicity. “You don’t have to be the most knowledgeable. In fact, some of the most knowledgeable salespeople I’ve ever met were some of the poorest closers. It’s because they’re giving people massive amounts of unnecessary information. You don’t need to know everything about the gizmo,” he said. “Customers have an expectation about what they’re going to get. Depending on what you’re selling, you can either raise the value or lower the price. You’re building value in the product or service so it exceeds the price.”
Have a script, have a process and streamline it every single time, he added. “Be in the moment. Really pay attention and take them through the process. Eliminate distractions. That’s the biggest thing. How can you use technology to enhance the client experience? You can depend on a mechanized process. Without a structured system, you’ll have chaos,” he said, adding, “The hardest part is to get them to come in the door.”
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HIGH-END UPGRADE
This 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo received an equipment upgrade with Pioneer, JL Audio and Focal products.
SUBMITTED BY: CODY WARNER, CAR STEREO 1, TOLEDO, OHIO
A client came into the shop seeking a few simple upgrades for a 2008 Lamborghini Gallardo. According to Cody Warner of Car Stereo 1, “The customer wanted to address a few things including a display mount, audio, lighting repair and some power management.”
The vehicle already had some extensive performance modifications. As a result, it needed a home for the display unit for the vehicle systems, Warner explained. “I 3D-scanned the center dash cover which housed the factory gauges. I designed, 3D-printed and made a new housing and bezel to go around the display,” he said. “I also repaired some of the wiring that had been done previously with other modifications to restore the proper function of the lights in the rear. Then, while I was back there, I added a
backup camera to the carbon wing.”
A Pioneer radio was installed. The shop built a custom dash kit and opted for a 4-channel JL Audio VXi Series DSP amplifier to power a two-way Focal K2 6.5-inch component, Warner said. “I made baffles to mount the mid-bass drivers into factory door locations and made acrylic and carbon fiber beauty plates to house grilles over top the speakers on the door panel. The tweeters were mounted in existing locations in the door. I also made a basic amp mount utilizing a French cleat-style mount, covered by a magnetic acrylic beauty plate similar to the doors.”
Lastly, Warner created a plat for the frunk to allow for easy access to circuit breakers for both the vehicle and audio systems’ power supplies.
FROM THE PRESIDENT GROWTH REQUIRES CONSTANT REFLECTION— THEN CHANGE
“ The Mobile Electronics industry is evolving. Fast. And if you’re not constantly leveling up— learning, adapting, networking— your business is going to be left behind.”
You can’t keep doing the same thing while expecting different results.
Another year, another cycle of long hours chasing leads, barely keeping up with the latest technology. If you’re in this industry, you know the grind. You’re juggling installs, dealing with customers who want champagne quality on a beer budget, and trying to stay ahead of trends—all while running a business that demands more from you than ever before. And the truth? It’s exhausting.
Somewhere along the way, you probably thought, “There’s got to be a better way to do this.” Maybe you’ve been stuck at the same revenue ceiling for years. Maybe you’re struggling to find skilled employees who actually know what they’re doing. Or maybe you’re tired of seeing competitors thrive while you’re barely able to keep your head above water.
Level Up, Every Day
The mobile electronics industry is evolving. Fast. And if you’re not constantly leveling up— learning, adapting, networking—your business will be left behind. That’s why KnowledgeFest isn’t just another industry event. It’s where real transformation happens. At KnowledgeFest, you’re not just attending another trade show and conference. You’re surrounding yourself with the best in the industry, those who’ve figured out how to scale, how to attract top-tier clients, how to install faster and more efficiently, and how to build businesses that thrive.
You’ll get an education on the most challenging topics you face every day. You will learn tried and true strategies that are guaranteed to bolster your business. You will experience vendor training designed to provide the latest information about the technologies you sell and install, receiving insights from top brands, delivering real strategies that you can take home and implement. And perhaps most importantly, you’ll connect with people who actually get it.
Not just anyone—your people. Those who know what it’s like to pull 12-plus hour installs, chase perfection on every wire tuck and still wake up hungry to learn more.
The show floor at KnowledgeFest is alive. Booths full of gear you’ve only seen online. Cars that stop you in your tracks. Conversations where you don’t have to explain what you do because everyone’s already in it. You’re surrounded by professionals who’ve been.
What’s Holding You Back?
After sitting in on an education session, you suddenly realize what’s been holding you back. You’re getting real-world advice from people who’ve built it, broke it and fixed it, and built it better. This ain’t fluff. It’s stuff you take home and use.
Then come the after-hours networking with peers. Beers, laughter, war stories. You swap shop tips, talk tech, and trade numbers with people who might become your next mentor, teammate, or business partner. It’s not just networking, it’s family. KnowledgeFest isn’t some boring trade show. It’s the spark you didn’t know you needed. If you’re serious about growing your skills, your business, your network, then it’s not a maybe, it’s a must. This year doesn’t have to repeat the same struggles. Instead, it can be the turning point. So, the question is, are you ready to take your business to the next level? Because if you are, KnowledgeFest is where it starts.
This is what it’s all about—stepping into a roomful of people who challenge you, teach you and push you. Iron sharpens iron. Whether you’re an installer, owner, sales pro, or industry partner, this is your space to grow, connect and strengthen your skills alongside the best in the game.
Join us in Atlantic City, June 6-8. Let’s make 2025 the year when everything changes.
