“To Change or Take Risks” … that was the subject of MERA President Bob Graham’s keynote address delivered to hundreds of mobile enhancement retailers and other industry professionals at the Mobile Electronics Industry Awards. The event immediately followed MERA’s official launch of the Mobile Entertainment Source (M.E. Source) buying group at MERA’s Town Meeting. Combined with a number of firsts – MERA’s first model installation bay and model store display, first roundtable discussion specifically for women in the industry, and first year with Platinum Sponsor HD Radio – the sweet smell of impending change and evolution was abundant.

MERA introduced the participating manufacturers in M.E. Source at the Town Meeting on Sat., March 15, as MERA KnowledgeFest kicked off in host city Louisville, KY. In a follow-up workshop, Jim Ristow of Association Volume Buyers (AVB), shared details of the vendor programs with interested retailers. By the end of the week, more than 50 mobile enhancement retailers had enrolled in the program.

The Industry Awards highlighted the dedication of several MERA volunteers, most importantly, Vicky Scrivner, co-owner of Santa Fe Auto Sound, Overland Park, KS, who received the distinguished MERA Outstanding Volunteer award.

MERA also recognized its immediate past president, Harvey Wright, owner of Autosound of Lexington (KY), with MERA’s Service Award. And the association honored board members whose terms ended recently: John Boosalis, owner of Automotive Innovations, Davenport, IA; and Deborah Vaughn, owner of representative firm TDMarketing, Zionsville, IN.

MERA’s Model Store and Installation Bay were new features at this year’s event, capturing the attention of numerous attendees. MERA’s Installation Bay housed a 2007 Mini Cooper S (R56), used to demonstrate how to overcome obstacles in the installation process. Installers were on hand to explain how they overcame a number of installation and integration challenges.

The tradeshow delivered quality one-on-one time for this year’s exhibitors.

And, as always, the majority of MERA’s workshops – held all four days of MERA KnowledgeFest – were well attended. This was an indication that today’s retailers are ready to make changes, and perhaps take risks, for the betterment of their business.