MERA KnowledgeFest '05 wrap

(Above and Below) Tuesday's remote start and security session presented by Audiovox attracted a crowd of nearly one hundred.. (Click images to enlarge.)

LOUISVILLE, KY – MERA wrapped up KnowledgeFest 2005 yesterday after what everyone, The 12 Volt News staff talked with, thought was a very successful event.

MERA is about knowledge. That theme has hit home with 12 volt retailers. Being better businesspeople and being up to the technical challenge of today’s wide range of digital products was on the front burner of all retailers in attendance.

This year’s show floor was the best to date. Functional displays and cool demos were in nearly every booth.

The training seminar attendance was up dramatically. It wasn’t uncommon to see people standing in the doorway to catch a seminar.

The Mobile Enhancement Retailers Association presented three well-deserved awards in conjunction with MERA KnowledgeFest 2005.

(Above) JL Audio's Andy Oxenhorn (R) and Hal Moulton proudly hold their MERA Anti-transshipping Award.. (Click image to enlarge.)

MERA awarded JL Audio with the “MERA Anti-transshipping Award” for its efforts to eradicate transshipping. The act of transshipping involves the commerce of branded products in a manner that is contrary to the covenants provided by the manufacturer’s dealer agreement. For example, mobile enhancement retailers who sell their products outside of their trade area or sell products to unauthorized dealers are guilty of this unethical practice.

“It is very nice that MERA has recognized our efforts to control transshipping,” said Andy Oxenhorn, president, JL Audio. “We remain focused on this issue and by no means feel we have solved the problem.”

(Above) MERA President Harvey Wright holds a MERA brochure titled "Why MERA?". The town hall meeting in the background answers that question. (Click image to enlarge.)

MERA called upon its manufacturer representative members to nominate potential recipients for the MERA Anti-transshipping Award. MERA’s board of trustees reviewed the nominations and selected JL Audio from those submitted. This is the second consecutive year that MERA has presented this prestigious industry award. Polk Audio received the award in 2004.

(Above) Debbie Vaughn holding her award after being named MERA's Outstanding Volunteer of 2004. (Click image to enlarge.)

MERA also presented its annual “Outstanding Volunteer Award” to Deborah Vaughn, owner of TDMarketing, an Indianapolis-based manufacturers representative firm. Vaughn actively serves on MERA’s Education Committee and its special products, and she is a member of MERA’s Representative Advisory Council (RAC). Further, she has proactively sought to promote MERA membership, KnowledgeFest and MERA’s “Your Ride Your Way” initiative.

(Above) It's not all glamour. MERA staffers L to R: Rick Mathies, Amy Thornburg and Cindy Baxter packing up after a successful show. (Click image to enlarge.)

“Deborah is a truly dedicated volunteer,” said Rick Mathies, executive director, MERA. “Her passion for the industry and support of MERA have made her a clear-cut choice for this year’s award.”

Also, in a private ceremony among MERA’s board of trustees and staff, MERA presented Bob Graham, owner, Breakers Electronics, Oxnard, California, with an award for his years of service to MERA. Graham was immediate past president for MERA’s fiscal year ending May 31, 2004.

For more information on MERA please call 800-WHY-MERA or visit www.merausa.org.