FUSE '98 Expo Has Latest in Cars, Music, Sports & Style
15 June 1998
FUSE '98 Expo in Atlantic City, N.J., June 19-21, Brings Together Latest in Cars, Music, Sports & Style
Free to the Public
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., June 15 -- Fans of cutting edge music,
sports, celebrities, big beach parties and the absolute latest in car sound
and electronics will flock to visit the new Atlantic City Convention Center in
Atlantic City, N.J., Friday through Sunday, June 19-21 for FUSE '98 -- cars *
music * style * sound * fusion. Held in conjunction with BeachFest, Atlantic
City's free entertainment festival during Father's Day weekend, FUSE '98 is
the largest free public exposition of souped-up cars equipped with the latest
in sound, security and other mobile electronics products ever held in the
eastern United States.
Geared toward the "hip, edgy and irreverent" generation X, FUSE '98 uses
attitude and lifestyle to create a new market for mobile electronics by fusing
the products with today's hottest music, sports and fun. Sponsored by the
Consumer Electronics Manufacturers Association (CEMA) and co-sponsored by
Clarion, MTX and Jensen/SoundQuest/Recoton Mobile Electronics, FUSE '98 binds
together the efforts of the entire mobile electronics industry --
manufacturers, retailers, industry publications and allied associations.
"This is the first time we have done anything of this nature. Never before
have consumers had the opportunity to sample such a wide variety of mobile
electronics products in a non-retail environment," stated CEMA President Gary
Shapiro. "The combination of FUSE '98 and BeachFest offers people a
wonderfully exciting way to spend their first summer weekend."
More than 85 leading manufacturers are displaying and demonstrating
hundreds of the latest products in automotive electronics, including many
installed in cars with award-winning installations for sound quality and
craftsmanship. In addition to audio companies, manufacturers of security,
navigation and communications products are displaying their wares. Consumers
can speak directly to technical experts from many of the best known companies
in mobile electronics.
Lighting up the FUSE '98 stage in the convention center are nine music
acts covering the gamut of generation X music tastes from ska to R&B to rock
to rap. For sports fans, the Panasonic National In-Line Skate Series (NISS)
presented by Gatorade has its nationwide aggressive skating competition at
FUSE '98. Appearances by the Trek/Volkswagen pro mountain bike team also are
among the activities.
Rounding out the consumer events, top competitors in auto sound vie for
$26,000 in prize money. The International Auto Sound Challenge Association
(IASCA) has made FUSE '98 one of its top sound-off competitions, bringing
approximately 200 cars to compete for the best in sound. dB Drag Racing brings
another 50 competitors to the floor to see who is the loudest of the loud.
Beyond the hot bands and sporting events on the show floor, attendees can
register to win new cars, Trek mountain bikes, CDs and more than $7,000 in
mobile electronics products.
For the trade audience and local retailers, Mobile Electronics Retailers
Association (MERA) brings educational training in its Knowledgefest Program,
and CEMA has scheduled additional conference sessions to help retailers
improve their businesses.
CEMA is a sector of the Electronic Industries Alliance (ETA), the 74-year-
old Arlington, Virginia-based trade organization representing all facets of
electronics manufacturing. CEMA represents U.S. manufacturers of audio,
video, accessories, mobile electronics, communication, information and
multimedia products which are sold through consumer channels. CEMA's Mobile
Electronics Division also represents 12-volt retailers, distributors, sales
representatives and service companies.
FUSE '98 is co-located with BeachFest, Atlantic City's free entertainment
festival that takes place throughout the city, bringing outdoor concerts,
women's volleyball tournaments, Hobie Cat regattas, fireworks, sand sculpting
and other events to the shore.