WORKSHOP SCHEDULE
JUNE 7TH
FRIDAY
DAY 1
8:30AM - 12:00PM
Morning Education
KN001 – Opening Keynote - Event Kickoff
- Presenter: Chris Cook - MEA President
- Track: Keynote
- Start Time: 8:30 am
- Duration: 30 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 12
- Description: Join MEA president, Chris Cook for this dynamic presentation Friday morning to kickoff KnowledgeFest.
TF001 – The Technicians Guide to Motorcycle Audio Installation
- Instructor: Lord Phil Chartier - The 12Volt Specialist
- Track: Technician - Fabricator
- Start Time: 9:10 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 10 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 12
- Description: In this class with Lord Phil Chartier from The 12Volt Specialist, Rep Firm of the Year winner 2022 and 2023, Rep of the Year winner 2024 and Andy Smith retail owner of Smart Cycle and Territory Manager, Power Sports and Motorcycle trainer and support tech for HKI-USA, you will learn the in’s and outs of audio installations on motorcycles. They will cover the core breakdowns between Harley’s, Victory/Indian, Metric, slingshots and CanAm’s, the physics of motorcycles, and the tools you should own for proper and efficient installs. You will also dive into the supplies you must have to do installations correctly, using plug and play options when possible, and other tips and tricks to be successful.
- Top Take-aways: Learn the core breakdowns and physics of motorcycles. Understand which tools and supplies you need to be successful. Find out what Plug and play options are available.
- Who should attend: All technicians who want to learn or improve their skill at installation on motorcycles. Owners who want to understand the installation side of audio on motorcycles to grow this area of their business. Salespeople involved in the system design of motorcycle installations.
SM001 – Build Your Online Presence the Five Star Way
- Instructor: Dean Beyett & Nando Lopez from Five Star Car Stereo
- Track: Sales - Marketing
- Start Time: 9:10 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 8
- Description: How we built an online presence with both videos and photos. What are the essential videos you should be creating to make money. Tips for using assets already available to you to save time. The techniques we use for closing generated leads. Lastly, don’t be afraid to say no; stick to your business model.
- Top Take-aways: What is Smash Force Production. What is the Meta dashboard and how to Schedule content ahead of time. How to use your online presence to close sales and make customers feel special.
- Who should attend: Anyone responsible for sales in your store.
OM001 – Smart Business Strategies & Ethics: Unlock the Secrets to Lasting Success in the Car Audio Industry
- Instructor: Tomas Keenan - Step It Up Academy
- Track: Owner - Manager
- Start Time: 9:10 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 10
- Description: Join us for a dynamic session tailored for small business owners and managers, where we'll delve into crucial aspects of business growth. Learn the art of setting and tracking targets, building future-proof organizational charts, and crafting effective hiring and onboarding processes. Navigate the delicate balance of business ethics by establishing core values and addressing challenges like poaching clients and employees.
- Top Take-aways: Walk away with actionable insights and the tools to propel your business forward with integrity and efficiency.
- Who should attend: Owners and manager looking to enhance their abilities to run a highly productive and profitable business.
TF002 – Using Fusion 360 to Create 3D Printed Speaker Mounting Solutions - Live Workshop
- Instructor: German Schulmeister - Orca Design
- Track: Technician - Fabricator
- Start Time: 10:40 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 12
- Description: In this Live workshop you will learn how to design speaker adapters using Fusion 360 in a fast and very efficient manner. Understand how to transition from the 2D to the 3D world and use a single software for all your CAD Designs, whether it’s laser, CNC or 3D print. You will also learn about the different printing technologies, materials and when and where it’s best to use them. Understand Filament versus Resin and which is the right one for your project. This comprehensive class will be led by industry expert German Schulmeister, Director of Product Development at Orcas Design.
- Top Take-aways: A great understanding of how to Increase your revenue, manufacture parts to OE standards, and attract better clientele by using automation.
- Who should attend: This class is designed for not only the newest of fabricators but also for the seasoned veteran who wants to take their skills to their next level, or wants to separate from their competition.
SM002 – The Profit Funnel
- Instructor: Jon Kowanetz - Pathways Coaching & Consulting
- Track: Sales - Marketing
- Start Time: 10:40 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 8
- Description: Too often, the sales process is left entirely to chance, with no system in place to guide the customer to a solution that satisfies both their needs and the performance standards of the company. With customer acquisition costs being what they are, small businesses simply cannot afford this kind of inefficiency. But what if you could implement a commonsense system that would streamline your inventory, simplify new employee training and increase customer satisfaction, all while increasing profits? This presentation will show you exactly how to do that!
- Top Take-aways: Understand how your sales process could benefit from being systematized. Learn how to apply The Profit Funnel in your own company.
- Who should attend: Sales professionals of all levels
OM002 – Your Next Million Dollars: Expand Beyond Traditional 12 Volt to Increase Revenue
- Instructors: Dan Bowman - Titan Motoring
- Track: Sales - Marketing
- Start Time: 10:30 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 8
- Description: In this class Dan Bowman from Titan Motoring, 2X Retailer of the Year and 4X Expeditor of the Year, will discuss the how and why of some products and services you can add to your business to drive up revenue and increase profits. Keeping a minimal investment in mind, Philip and Dan will provide a road map of vendors and resources to get you started in additional categories such as truck and Jeep accessories without adding staff, square footage, or skill sets. Titan Motoring has successfully gone from a 12v only shop to offering everything from vinyl wrapping and window tint to truck lifts and wheels and tires. Philip will also shed light on his former business that did not diversify and the challenges that arose in a difficult economy that forced him to close his doors and learn some valuable lessons. Dan will also show how he took a two-man operation from inception to $700K in yearly revenue using diversity of offerings.
- Top Take-aways: A solid understanding of how to increase revenue and prosperity by adding and diversifying your income through categories outside of traditional 12V products. How to use these new categories to invite your core clients back and attract new clients that you can introduce to your passion.
- Who should attend: Any business owner looking to make your next million dollars through business expansion.
JUNE 8TH
SATURDAY
DAY 2
8:00AM - 12:20PM
Morning Education
TF003 – Tools & Techniques for OEM Integration
- Instructor: Dean Beyett – Five Star Car Stereo & German Schulmeister – Sound Innovations
- Track: Technician - Fabricator
- Start Time: 8:00 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 12
- Description: In this class you will learn how to use tools to diagnose headaches in factory signal paths and what those Headaches look like in real time. For example: all-pass filters, ANC, amp types, and what speakers to tap. Where to find adapters and when to use them. Ways to deal with what may or may not be a problem. How to test for DC offset. We will not be talking about tuning.
- Top Take-aways: How to properly test a factory signal.
- Who should attend: Technicians with all levels of experience.
SM003 – Selling in the Age of Big Tech: Keep Up or Get Left Behind
- Instructor: Kevin Hallinan – Winning, Inc.
- Track: Sales - Marketing
- Start Time: 8:00 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 8
- Description: Customers want to engage over the phone, via email & texts, and not in person. They want pricing & product info and want to be in control. If we allow that, we’re likely leaving money on the table.
- Top Take-aways: You will learn fresh, modern selling skills that are both honest, and allow you to be yourself while you take results to new levels.
- Who should attend: Anyone responsible for sales in your store.
OM003 – Cast Off the Crutches Presentation: Part One (1)
- Instructor: Jon Kowanetz - Pathways Coaching & Consulting
- Track: Owner - Manager
- Start Time: 8:00 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 10
- Description: This presentation focuses on the many, all too common and socially acceptable habits and behaviors that we as human beings develop, which can be destructive to our personal and our professional lives. As the presenter shares his own experiences of overcoming these challenges and how doing so improved both aspects of his life, attendees recognize that they are not alone in their own challenges, that no challenge is too small and that they can change any chosen part of their life, in every new moment.
- Top Take-aways: Learn the psychology behind destructive habits and behaviors. Understand how these habits and behaviors can be destructive to both your personal and professional life. Learn about the many ways that overcoming them can improve both areas of your life.
- Who should attend: Anyone that wants to overcome challenges and improve all aspects of their life.
TF004 – Making Awesome and Impactful Midbass in Car Audio Systems
- Instructor: Kris Bulla - SONY
- Track: Technician - Fabricator
- Start Time: 9:30 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 12
- Description: Lots of myths surround the creation and optimization of midbass performance in cars. These myths often waste time and your customers’ money and create insurmountable installation hurdles. We’ll bust those myths and set you on a better path. Learn where midbass comes from, what it is, what creates impact and how to do it. We will explain what part of the frequency response is actual midbass and provide two methods for optimizing midbass output in high performance car audio systems.
- Top Take-aways: How to create car audio systems with impactful midbass without hassles or confusion.
- Who should attend: Car audio technicians, salespeople and store owners—but it’s especially useful for techs who can influence the sales process.
SM004 – Profitability Selling Motorcycle Audio
- Instructors: Lord Phil Chartier - The 12Volt Specialist
- Track: Sales - Marketing
- Start Time: 9:30 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 8
- Description: In this class with Lord Phil Chartier from The 12Volt Specialist, Rep Firm of the Year winner 2022 and 2023, Rep of the Year winner 2024, you will learn motorcycle selling techniques learned over the last 15years. You will learn how to qualify customers, explain the physics of audio on motorcycles to help you know what to sell and works on bikes and when to use selling solutions to improve efficiency. How to upsell and attach items that go with bike audio to grow the average ticket sale. Lastly, he will teach you why you need to align yourself with painters and mechanics, and how you should market and promote that you sell motorcycle audio.
- Top Take-aways: Learn how to go about adding motorcycle audio to your business or increasing the sales and profitability of selling motorcycle audio. Find out the best-selling solutions and partnerships to create for selling success. Understand how you should demo motorcycle audio on the showroom floor and on the bike after the installation.
- Who should attend: Owners who want to get into selling motorcycle audio or be more successful and profitable at selling motorcycle audio. Salespeople who want to improve their selling skill on motorcycle audio and technicians that work with salespeople on selling and designing motorcycle audio systems.
OM004 – Cast Off the Crutches Presentation: Part Two (2)
- Instructor: Jon Kowanetz - Pathways Coaching & Consulting
- Track: Owner - Manager
- Start Time: 9:30 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 10
- Description: In this workshop, which builds upon what was presented in Part 1, you will have the opportunity to identify what is holding you back in your own personal and professional life, so you can affect real change. Together, we will use a 9 step process that will help you to get real with yourself about why you formed this destructive habit or behavior in the first place, why you want to improve in this area of your life and how you can stay on your chosen path when things get hard, as they most certainly will.
- Top Take-aways: Get clear on what is holding you back in your personal and professional lives. Leave with a well thought out game plan for how to improve in this area. Connect with like-minded colleagues to support each other's growth.
- Who should attend: Anyone that wants to overcome challenges and improve all aspects of their life.
TF005 – Amp Racks and Custom Mounts
- Instructor: Jason Kranitz - Major League Fab Tools & Training
- Track: Technician - Fabricator
- Start Time: 11:00 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 12
- Description: This course will take you from the basic amp brackets all the way to full blown custom amp racks in larger systems. Learn the magic behind using different materials to make amplifier installs easier and more professional-looking at the same time. Plastics, metal, wood, and magnets allow multiple options when it comes to creating mounts. In addition, attendees will learn about different styles of amplifiers on the technical side and wire management. Several props will be available to demonstrate what is being taught along with our extensive audio/visual system letting you have front seat viewing during our live demo segments. This course is designed for everyone, from beginners all the way to experienced techs, giving them the tools to immediately go back to the bay and use their newly learned skills.
- Top Take-aways: Design for techs, fabricators, and owners. See Live demos. Understanding materials and tools. Learn how to make money.
- Who should attend: This class is designed for not only the newest of fabricators but also for the seasoned veteran who wants to improve efficiency and learn advanced techniques.
SM005 – Drive Engagement: Mastering Social Media in the Automotive Industry
- Instructor: Kaitlyn Young – Social Media Doctor
- Track: Sales - Marketing
- Start Time: 11:00 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 8
- Description: Gear up for success online with our workshop, 'Drive Engagement: Mastering Organic Social Media for the automotive industry.' Learn how to navigate the fast lane of social media marketing tailored specifically to help you grow and expand your business online! From crafting compelling content to leveraging platforms effectively, this class will equip you with the tools and strategies to revitalize your online presence, connect with your audience, and accelerate your business growth.
- Top Take-aways: How to create content that attracts and how to sell online without ads and without sounding spammy.
- Who should attend: Business Owners, Sales Professionals, and anyone looking to grow their online presence.
OM005 – Your Financial Operating Plan (FOP) Checklist
- Instructor: Salim Kassouf – Boston Federal Financial
- Track: Owner - Manager
- Start Time: 11:00 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 10
- Description: Join this hands-on class to learn how to plan your company to operate financially, to stay on track, and to grow. You will learn practical steps to creating a complete FOP framework that identifies revenues, costs, assets, liabilities, and capital structure that will make you reach company objectives. More extensive than a budget, a FOP helps you review past performances, it incorporates input from all company functions, and helps you identify liquidity and capital needs to support your business goals.
- Top Take-aways: You will learn practical steps to creating a complete FOP framework that identifies revenues, costs, assets, liabilities, and capital structure that will make you reach company objectives.
- Who should attend: Business Owners looking to identify liquidity and capital needs to support your business goals.
JUNE 9TH
SUNDAY
DAY 3
9:00AM - 11:50AM
Morning Education
TF006 – 3D Scanning for Automotive Aftermarket
- Instructor: Marcio Knapik – Peel 3D
- Track: Technician - Fabricator
- Start Time: 9:00 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 12
- Description: In this class you will step into the future of precision scanning for Mobile Electronics. Elevate your fabrication with a scanning experience like no other – enter the realm of professional-grade 3D Reverse Engineering to create professional fabricated parts for installation. Learn to prepare your scans to transform them into CAD files in your favorite CAD software.
- Top Take-aways: Working knowledge of 3D scanning to create CAD files and make perfect parts for your installation.
- Who should attend: This class is designed for not only the newest of fabricators but also for the seasoned veteran who wants to improve efficiency and learn advanced 3D scanning techniques.
SM006 – Maximizing Every Sales Opportunity
- Instructors: Jayson Cook - Columbus Car Audio & Accessories and Elias Ventura - HKI-USA
- Track: Sales - Marketing
- Start Time: 9:00 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 8
- Description: Uncover the mystery of skyrocketing your sales figures and boosting revenue through learning the differences between add-on selling verse upselling, and what situations work best for each one. In this comprehensive course, you'll delve into proven strategies and hands-on techniques that will transform you into a sales powerhouse.
- Top Take-aways: Participants gain insights into creating compelling add-on offers and upselling scenarios that enhance the customer experience - Learn to increase revenue while providing genuine value to customers.
- Who should attend: Sales professionals of all levels of experience.
OM006 – Operational Excellence: Take your Inventory Management to the Next Level
- Instructors: Dave Wall - Freeman's Car Stereo & John Schwartz from Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security
- Track: Owner - Manager
- Start Time: 9:00 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 10
- Description: In this class You will learn from two Retailer of the Year winners, on how to manage your inventory in a more efficient and effective way, to maximize profit dollars. From how to choose vendor partners, selecting product mix and assortments, and tracking sales to make projections. Learning how to identify and liquidate dead inventory and how to keep emotion in check when determining what inventory is best for your business. Lastly, learn what inventory turns are and how it has tremendous benefits on cash flow for your business.
- Top Take-aways: You will come away from this class with an inventory management plan you can follow to help you master this important area of your business.
- Who should attend: Owners and manager looking to enhance their abilities to run a highly productive and profitable business.
TF007 – Hands on: CNC Laser - Programing & Projects
- Instructor: Jason Kranitz – Major League Fab & Full Spectrum Laser
- Track: Technician - Fabricator
- Start Time: 10:30 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 12
- Description: The CNC Laser course will familiarize attendees with the laser-cutting and engraving machinery, software, power requirements, maintenance, and incorporated build ideas. In addition, attendees will get ideas from experienced instructors on adding premium enhancements to traditional installs and learn tips and tricks while using the newest tool in the fabrication room.
- Top Take-aways: A complete understanding of how to properly align and effectively use a CNC Laser.
- Who should attend: Fabricators with all levels of experience.
SM007 – The 2000's Called and They Want Their Sales Techniques Back
- Instructor: Kevin Hallinan - Winning, Inc
- Track: Sales - Marketing
- Start Time: 10:30 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 8
- Description: Admit it – times have changed. In fact, change is inevitable. Growth though, is optional. Those that continually grow will always be ahead of those that feel they’ve “made it” and who remain comfortable. Discover why you might want to change, learn which changes are good and which aren’t, and make those changes happen!
- Top Take-aways: You will learn fresh, modern selling skills that are both honest, and allow you to be yourself while you take results to new levels.
- Who should attend: Anyone responsible for sales in your store.
OM007 – Building a Winning Team
- Instructors: John Schwartz – Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security and SoundShield
- Track: Owner - Manager
- Start Time: 10:30 am
- Duration: 1 Hour 20 Minutes
- Location: Avalon 10
- Description: Is your business a place where top talent wants to work? Are you successfully nurturing talent from within once sales professionals and technicians are hired? Would you consider working for your own business if you were in the employee's shoes? These are all crucial questions to contemplate when assessing whether you have the winning formula to cultivate and sustain a team of dedicated, content, and motivated employees. Join us to acquire proven strategies and policies that will empower you to effectively recruit, train, and retain the crème de la crème of talent, propelling your business to the next level of income and profitability.
- Top Take-aways: Where to find TEAM members - Hiring Tips: Discover the best sources and techniques for recruiting top-tier talent to enhance your workforce.
- Who should attend: Any business owner looking at building a winning team for their business.
Back To Top