By Todd Ramsey
Having just returned from the SEMA Show, where I enjoyed a variety of forward-looking conversations, and then (just a couple days ago) having recently had a candid conversation with a colleague no longer active on the trade side of the 12-volt "car audio" business, it's clear that the divide between our collective interests and, more importantly, our collective willingness to work on something together, is still very apparent. It seems like an awful lot of the industry is just doing its own thing, somewhat oblivious to any kind of bigger picture.
The fact is, what we’re all finding difficult is the reality of relevance, or our lack thereof. What we USED to bank on as core products and services may not necessarily carry the same relevance when we’re looking forward — not looking back. It’s really obvious that we need to focus on three things as far as industry awareness goes (and when looking for our future opportunities through relevant innovation):
1) Integration with factory A/V systems (primarily by leaving what’s in the dash there and adding on where it makes sense) in a way that’s truly integrated and has tremendous value for the consumer. Since this is somewhat still dependent on professional installation and configuration, the real opportunities for tomorrow will be those who say “not necessarily” to the old convention of taking everything out from the factory and starting from scratch. It’s just not a relevant approach anymore. Improvements don’t always come from simply changing or adding parts.
2) Ubiquitous connection of portable devices to the vehicle, and user interfaces within the vehicle that make sense and are easy to use, oh, and if possible these solutions would be highly reliable too! Beyond the process of integration, we need to focus manufacturing, and even installer-level configuration of aftermarket products, on more intuitive and user-friendly functionality. This business of complicated menus and all around poorly designed user interfaces for drivers (not lab rats) is of great importance. To be relevant to a wide-ranging audience, you can’t have this ridiculous secret handshake so many of our so-called solutions have now. We can do better. We MUST do better, and it’s a lot easier to consider how we can improve when we’re using our own products in our own cars to benchmark where we can improve.
3) We have to be visible online in many places. People research and purchase products based on what they locate online, and the experience of going online to find things and learn about them is different for each person. There are plenty of people who will never look at iPad installation or SPL videos on YouTube. There are people who, believe it or not, do not live on Facebook. We need to recognize that being visible online is not just Facebook or YouTube (or other social networking sites). It’s not just having a website (but retailers — PLEASE GET A WEBSITE if you don’t have one). It’s not just Google search or Yahoo Local. It’s not just online reviews or links with other partners. It’s everywhere, and we MUST understand there’s not one silver bullet on the Internet but that we have to be “out there” to even be recognized, let alone be considered relevant, in each consumer’s mind.
In a nutshell, we really can’t expect any entity like a 12-volt Initiative or MERA to be effective if the pieces of the puzzle that we need to deliver on a value proposition still don’t exist . We can each be doing a better job of connecting with an industry viewpoint, not just our own little bubbles.
It's now a good three weeks after we initially posted a comprehensive blog article, immediately following MERA KnowledgeFest, about the 12-volt Initiative and our industry’s awareness challenges in general. I REALLY had hoped more retailers and other industry colleagues would have some constructive contributions to the discussion of how we can all do something better and more effective. I often wonder if anyone in our industry ever REALLY reads our blog posts!
If we’re not embracing radical new ideas of how we come into the car with relevance to our products, services, and expertise, we’ll just be asking automakers, Apple, Microsoft, RIM and Google to determine what we’ll become by default. You have to ask yourself if that’s really how you want things to happen when you say “Oh, I’m just too busy or uninterested to get involved.”
Tap, tap, tap………………is this thing on?
Often the great part about trade shows like SEMA is the fact that there are other things going on, plenty of other cool things to see at the show, and after hours fun as well. Attending the show for your business is just a fraction of the value you can get from attending trade events. Sometimes the camaraderie and networking after hours, as well as the interesting, somewhat unrelated to car audio things you find, are extras that add to the fun and excitement of attending these shows. It’s certainly been the case with this year’s SEMA show!
Kicker Big Air Bash 9
For the past eight years Kicker has graciously put on the marquee event for SEMA Show attendees who have a passion for all things 12-volt. They bring in the rock stars of extreme motorsports jumping and give attendees an up-close look at incredible freestyle motocross professionals flying off jumps and doing tricks two stories in the air.
Sadly, Kicker announced that this year’s ninth Big Air Bash would be the last one in this format. Although Kicker is reserving the option to resurrect the event in another format, possibly at another location and time of year, it looks like the epic tradition of Big Air Bash parties at SEMA in Las Vegas have (for the time being) come to an end.
Thanks so much to Kicker for all these great years of putting on the coolest outdoor party at a trade show and for so generously including everyone who attended.
Pawn Stars from the History Channel
Yes, we did it. When in Rome, as they say. Anyone who has watched The History Channel’s show called Pawn Stars knows it’s a Las Vegas-based pawn shop called Gold and Silver Pawn where three generations of men from the Harrison family — grandfather, father and son — amusingly clash while running the family owned pawn shop together.
The shop is located right in the middle of the Vegas strip on the old town side just a short drive from the Convention Center. A few of us 12-volt guys, including former Mobile Electronics Retailer of the Year, Kent Izuka of Security and Sound Systems in Hawaii, got into town early on Monday and decided to take a trip down there to see the random treasures we’ve all seen Rick Harrison and his crew collect from visitors to the store.
It’s an eclectic mix of art, jewelry, motorcycles, vintage Coke machines and random items you’d never think to even ask about. None of the cast members were there since we went by after hours, but we did get to see some of Rick’s personal collection of items that are not for sale, such as Superbowl rings and vintage weapons. After years of only seeing the inside of the convention center, restaurants and hotels, this was a nice diversion for us!
Peppermill
Las Vegas locals frequent this iconic lounge for after hours food and drinks. Several of the 12-volt guys including Canadian Shaughnessy Murley, Installer of the Year Jon Kowanetz, and InstallerNet’s Kris Bulla were spotted there enjoying the drinks and casual ambience on the couches amidst the signature pink and blue lighting of the Fireside Lounge inside Peppermill. It’s the perfect stop for great after hours conversation with drinks and food at very reasonable prices with the ambience and history that many associate with a true Las Vegas experience.
PowerBass Hospitality Suite
PowerBass graciously opened up the doors of their 24th floor hospitality suite to all the 12-volt folks who wanted to come and have a casual drink and some shop talk. After the MECP Masters dinner on Tuesday evening, a bunch of them hit the PowerBass suite for a visit and some cold beverages.
Other retailers, such as Mark Miller of Westminster Speed & Sound and Chuck Wallace of Ultimate Electronics, were already there enjoying the fun when the rest of the gang arrived. Host Robin McNeal, Vinnie DeStefano and Jason Hannon were all too happy to welcome colleagues for some after hours fun.
RK Concepts Motorcycle Art
While at the SEMA Show we came across what I can only describe as motorcycle art from RK Concepts of Austin, Texas. Designer Rafik Kaissi had four of his creations on display just outside the north hall and these are literally rolling sculptures of innovative industrial design.
From the “Chain Bike” with a frame and swing arm made of huge, industrial-size chain to the mechanical mastery of the “Fighter Bike,” these RK Concepts creations inspire us to rethink our approach to the same old things in our own installations. If even one or two ideas from these bikes inspire a theme in a car audio installation then we’re certain it’ll be pushing the envelope. To check out their awesome motorcycle art visit
www.rkconcepts.com.
Here's the Chain Bike.
Next up is the Fatty Bike.
Last is the Racer Bike.