Wednesday, October 31, 2007

To boldly go

SEMA continues for 2 more days and while my participation is wrapping up, Ken, Ben, Joe, and Jack are staying on to staff the booth and eventually pack it all up. Best of luck, guys, and have a safe trip home.

National Sales Manager Ken Lokey during a lull

I think SEMA had a different feel this year. Part of it might have been the crowds. There are always a lot of people at shows like this - the exhibitors, the attendees, the media, the industry folks, etc. Those folks were all here this week. However, they seemed to be in different places this time around.

Ben Bettelli chats with a visitor

The North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center has been the home of the mobile electronics exhibits for as long as I've been attending this show and it's always been packed. Loads of people in the aisles, booths overflowing, a feeling of electricity and a deep bass hum in the air (and sometimes more than just a hum). This year, there were people in the North Hall but not that same crush. In other areas - the first floor of the South Hall, home of the tire and rim exhibitors - was a madhouse, completely packed and virtually impossible to walk through. The North Hall seemed almost, well, quiet (something of a shock compared to past years).

Tech Support Rep Jack Cohoon walks someone through the TracVision technology

Part of it may have to do with the composition of exhibitors in the North Hall. In past years, every major car audio and speaker firm was in attendance. Aisle upon aisle was filled with tricked-out cars with massive speakers that threatened to launch children and the elderly into orbit if turned up to 11. There were loads of video booths and the concept of connecting your iPod to your car stereo dominated the landscape.

Joe Hendershot, OEM key account manager, assists a guest in the booth

This year, however, things were different. Many of the big audio and speaker manufacturers weren't here or, if they were, they fielded smaller booths. And overall, no more than 50% of the exhibitors in the North Hall were actually mobile electronics firms. Instead, a large section of the hall was given over to the tools of the automotive trade - tire balancing systems, wheel alignment sensors, window tinting and films, frame spinners, painting systems, and more.

Ah, so that's why people were so interested in the grill and faux meat, Chef Jack!

It's something we've observed in our own markets and have commented on in our recent quarterly earnings calls. There are definitely some challenges in the 12V industry and I think the mobile electronics section of the SEMA show is illustrating that.

Your correspondent, mulling over his next obscure pop culture reference. Napoleon Solo? Are you kidding me? What's next? Quotes from the best episodes of "The Wild Wild West"?

On the other hand, the TracVision A7, along with KVH's RV and marine satellite TV systems, continues to draw attention. Even four years after we opened an new market with the revolutionary TracVision A5, there are still visitors to the booth asking, "So does this mean we can get live TV in the car?" We talked to dealers, distributors, limo operators, customizers, and people who just want something cool for their own vehicle. People are looking for live entertainment. They also want live connections to the Internet, something we're aggressively capitalizing on in the marine market. We've proven in the past that we're willing to look ahead and take steps to boldly go where no other company has gone before, and I fully expect that record of innovation and technological leadership will continue.

So thanks for joining us here at SEMA 2007. Buckle up, turn on the TV for the kids in the back seat, drive safely, and live long and prosper.

See, just had to get in one more not-so-obscure pop culture reference, courtesy of the Las Vegas Hilton!

Tool of the trade

And now ladies and germs, it's my pleasure to introduce the true MVP of KVH's trade show success, without which not one us would make it back alive:

You try shaking hands with several hundred people over the course of a few days and see if your hands feel all mountain spring fresh!


Disclaimer: TracVision may be unsuitable for off-road use

OK, it has nothing to do with TracVision but the Toyota off-road proving ground was pretty cool.


So, what's the monthly payment on this car?

The preferences for luxury show cars appear to change from year to year, sort of like consumer preferences in types of Christmas trees. This year, the truly ostentatious choice for show cars is anything by Lamborghini:



But as anyone who read the Palm Beach boat show blog knows, Lambos can't hold a candle to my personal favorite, the new Aston Martins.

Sharp as a butter knife

Things seen and questions overheard from visitors to our booth over the first two days of the show:
  • So are you guys selling grills?
  • Can I buy a hot dog?
  • Y'all make any other kind of grills?
  • I see the big Sirius sign over there but how do you get to them? (Ummmm...walk around to the front of the booth? Is this a trick question?)
  • So how come you don't make these antennas any smaller?
  • Can you get porn on this TV screen?
Alright. I'm stumped. I have no idea what these guys are photographing on the underside of the NFL Sierra.

Yes, these are our potential customers!

For the car that has everything

OK, walking around SEMA you'll see chrome, underbody lighting, video screens, tire balancers, radar detectors and blinders, and so much more. But for those of you who have a secret hankering to be your neighborhood's answer to James Bond or Napoleon Solo (there I go, dating myself again), I offer up these two nominees for our "excessive car customizer accessory of the year" award!



After all, who hasn't wanted to deal with those pesky cars cruising too close to your rear bumper!

Oooo I forgot the best part!

How could I have neglected to highlight the most unique part of the NFL Tailgating vehicle?!

Nothing says comfortable ride like seats made of football leather with an NFL logo and football stitching and laces!

It's Halloween and the TracVisions are everywhere! Everywhere!

Like zombies rising from a foggy graveyard, TracVision systems have emerged across the halls and parking lots of SEMA. Alright, not the most positive of images but it's Halloween and I'm just trying to get into the spirit of things. And with that in mind, here's a quick ghouls gallery of TracVision vehicle photos from SEMA 2007.

A Chevy Tahoe gleams in the sun

Hide and seek as this A7 lurks almost out of sight behind a rooftop enclosure

The Barrett-Jackson coach enjoys sat TV via one of our 15-inch TracVision systems

And another classic 15-inch TracVision system

While publisher duPont Registry goes with one of our TracVision SlimLine systems

Trust me, that's a TracVision R6 up there

Return of the bruisers

Last year, it seemed like you couldn't turn around without running into a Freightliner Sportchassis vehicle equipped with TracVision. Well, we haven't seen quite as many of them this year but every one of these oversized "SUVs" I've come across is offering TracVision for the passengers.

Not your daddy's pickup truck!

Orange appears to be the "in" color here at the show this year

OK, the scary thing...this monster is on the second floor of the building along with several hundred other cars. No time like the present to hope the architect for the convention center wasn't the same architect who designed a library and forgot to account for the weight of the books (yes it's an urban legend but amusing nonetheless)

Hmmm...perhaps Indy car racing might be worth watching

SEMA draws its share of celebrities - the hosts of various car overhaul/customization shows, general celebrity types, people involved in auto racing, etc. Old friend Mad Mike and his entourage made a quick cameo appearance yesterday, saying a quick hello as they passed by. Michael Andretti was a few booths away but the real draw this morning was Indy Car racer Danica Patrick. I can't take credit for these photos...my colleagues took turns playing stalker as she was interviewed on XM Radio.

Surprisingly, the host was asking her about the color of her fingernail polish at this point (vodka and caviar, for anyone interested...I wasn't even aware they were colors). The crowd of hardened 12V professionals was spellbound and in desperate need of fashion tips.

The heels are apparently a necessity as Ms. Patrick is very very tiny. Needless to say, she was outdrawing Michael Andretti by a 3-to-1 margin during their simultaneous appearances.

Sign of the times

It's sad but not surprising to see this here at SEMA for the first time. Everyone did a double-take as this pair walked by.

Sniff all you want. We don't mind. Take your time and get it right. We're perfectly happy to have an explosive-free show.


All charged up

One of our co-marketing partners this SEMA is Optima Batteries, which is kicking off a national marketing tour using multiple vehicles equipped with TracVision to promote their ability to power a wide range of mobile electronics. Coincidentally, every KVH TracVision demo vehicle is equipped with Optima batteries (shameless commercial plug, I know).

The orange beast indoors. Obviously, the raised tonneau cover is a bit of an usual install.

Gotta love it when the #1 battery maker puts your product and logo on their vehicle

Remember, kiddies...TV in the front seat is only OK when the vehicle is parked

Enjoy the show!

The other Optima vehicle, under a tent outside, with the mobile multimedia trailer

Stay tuned for a press release on this tomorrow!

Attack of the killer faux meat

Well, we're striking back against the seductive power of an NFL-branded grill to redirect some attention to the TracVision system:


Now we'll just have to see if we run into a rash of people touching them to see if they're real...

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

And from the "It doesn't take much" department

So you've got a cool car tricked out like the perfect NFL fan's vehicle. It's equipped with an award-winning TracVision that brings live DIRECTV to a 50-inch TV in the tailgate. You have the opportunity to talk to KVH's dynamic boys in blue. And what do most people seem to be drawn to?

The grill with the NFL logo to sear into your steaks!

Yeah, sure it looks cool but who wants to clean it after cooking 40 hamburgers for your ravenous tailgating buddies?

In an effort to combat the hypnotic allure of THE GRILL, tomorrow we're going to cover it with fake hamburgers and hot dogs. It's the battle of the century: fake meat vs. flame-broiled branding!

Built Ford Tough

As we do every year, KVH offers a limited number of TracVision systems for designers building cars that will be showcased at SEMA. When choosing which vehicles will receive a free system, we take into account the type of vehicle, the expected PR and media coverage, and whether or not the vehicle offers a good example of how our TracVision systems are used. Oh yeah…and if the vehicle is going to be showcased in the Ford Motor Company’s display, it’s usually a good bet that we’ll be providing that designer a free system.

Such is the case with DeBerti Design, which created a fantastic executive limo using a 2007 Lincoln Navigator. This stylish black limo offers a fun range of comforts, topped off by a familiar satellite TV system and conveniently sits almost dead center in the Ford display. This is a great example of how an already stylish limo is raised to a new level with the addition of live DIRECTV on board, an invaluable feature for many limo operators.

The stylish DeBerti-designed Lincoln Navigator executive limo

The TracVision A7 is actually mounted directly to the roof, with the roof rack obscuring the mounting system and antenna profile from the casual observer

Now you see them...

Now you don't.

And to watch the disappearing TV screens, travel with all the comforts of home, including two fully reclining leather seats with heated shiatsu massage and a touchpad offering full control of all vehicle functions...well, except for the whole driving thing

Lights! Camera! Action! No...wait...makeup!

SEMA is a dynamically visual and audible show – shiny cars, bright chrome, flashing lights, thunderously loud sound systems, female booth “staff” dressed in a manner that’s right out of a clichéd view of seedy Vegas nightlife (don’t worry – I think they’re just there to catch people’s eyes and sign posters – and no, I won’t be posting the photos I didn't take here).

As a result, video and film crews abound for a range of news programs, TV shows, and online media. The beauty of being at SEMA with TracVision is that it’s a two-for-one deal for TV crews – they get to show a cool, high-tech car accessory along with featuring their own medium: TV.

Ben Bettelli gets some camera time, showing off the TracVision A7 and its deluxe 12V mobile DIRECTV receiver

They can’t resist, which is why we had a visit this morning from a new auto upgrade show called Whipnotic and car accessory guru, Mr. Mobile Electronics, who several years ago picked our original TracVision A5 as one of the top 10 must-have mobile electronics products.

Ummmm...does our liability insurance cover this? The Whipnotic camera guy goes for the overhead shot of the big-screen TV and embedded TracVision as Ben spots.

It's the one, the only, Mr. Mobile Electronics himself, extolling the virtues of live DIRECTV in the car

A new look for the booth

In past years, the KVH SEMA and CES booths have revolved around our own homegrown demo vehicles. This year, we took a new approach to spice things up and tie into our national high-tech tailgating marketing and PR campaign, choosing to showcase the fantastic GMC Sierra NFL Tailgating vehicle. If you’ve kept up with our high-tech tailgating site, you’ll recognize this slick truck. And for those of you with freakishly good long-term memories, you might even recognize it from last year’s SEMA blog and the GM pavilion. Now, thanks to some cooperative tailgating marketing with GM, we’ve scored this vehicle for the duration of the show and it’s definitely catching people’s attention.

Two great tastes that go great together...TracVision and the NFL!

The front of the booth, which actually faces away from the main doors because our neighbor has a rather massive wall along the backside of their booth

That 50 inch plasma screen and slide-out grill are a nice draw for visitors and a perfect set-up for tailgating

TracVision, front and center

Ben Bettelli cooks up some lunch...OK, not really but it sure looks good

What sets this GMC Sierra Crew Cab apart from the large number of other TracVision-equipped vehicles here at the show is the slick embedded antenna, which has been built directly into the rooftop