Capitol Presents Free Two-Day Training Sessions, With A Focus On Audio And Energy Management

Capitol Learning Institute Classes Will Be Held On Campus, March 13 - 14

EAGAN, MN, March 4, 2013 – Capitol, the leading electronics distribution source for PRO AV and communication contractors, residential systems integrators, retailers and premium incentive resellers, is once again hosting one of its acclaimed – and free -- two-day Capitol Learning Institute™ training event at its Eagan, MN campus, March 13 – 14, with a total of eight essential classes covering leading audio, energy management and remote control technologies that are proving to be a boon to installers. The eight classes being offered Wednesday, March 13 – Thursday, March 14, are designed to provide customers with hands-on training in in-demand technologies, systems, and applications, as well as sales and marketing tips that professionals can’t afford to miss. The classes are all free but require advance registration, which can be completed online.

Lee Krokum Joins Capitol As Distributor’s New IP Telephony Sales Engineer

Lee Krokum Brings Deep Background in IP Telephony and Technical Support to Capitol’s Sales Team

EAGAN, MN, February 21, 2013 – Capitol, the leading electronics distribution source for PRO AV and communication contractors, residential systems integrators, CE retailers and premium incentive resellers, today announced that telecommunications specialist Lee Krokum has joined the company’s sales department, bringing 25 years of knowledge and expertise to the Capitol team.

“Lee Krokum’s extensive background in IP telephony and technical support makes him an invaluable asset to our customers,” said Curt Hayes, Capitol’s President and CFO. “He brings a bullet-proof knowledge of the technologies most relevant to the market today, as well as front-line experience in commercial projects of every shape and size. We’re lucky to have him on board.”

Mr. Krokum’s background managing telephony interconnect companies covers all the bases required for being a technical support and sales engineer specialist in Capitol’s sales department. Most recently, he was a Founding Partner of Current Acticor, Inc., a St. Paul, MN-based company offering sales installation and service of telephone, data, voice mail and ACD (automatic call distribution) systems. As a company leader, Mr. Krokum trained customers on site and provided over the phone support on all systems, taking customer service calls and tracking issues to resolution.

In previous roles, Mr. Krokum served as a Senior Technician for Metropolitan Advanced Communications in Minneapolis, and Manager of Action Telecom, Inc., both of which are located in Minneapolis, MN.

“Having been in telephony and custom installation for so long, I’m very sensitive to the needs of our customers,” commented Mr. Krokum. “Capitol’s commitment to customer service and satisfaction is second to none, and judging from my interactions with our client base, it’s clear that they agree.”

Exciting Sweepstakes Is Yet Another Reason To “Like” Capitol

Leading Electronics Distributor Announces Bi-Weekly Giveaways for Fans Who Like the Capitol on Facebook, Follow On Twitter

EAGAN, MN, January 21, 2013 –Capitol, the leading electronics distribution source for PRO AV and communication contractors, residential systems integrators, retailers and premium incentive resellers, today announced a bi-weekly social media giveaway program. Beginning on Monday, Jan. 21, 2012, and every other Monday following that, those who “Like” Capitol’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CapitolSalesFanPage) or follow the company on Twitter at @Capitol_Sales (http://twitter.com/Capitol_Sales) will be invited to enter an online contest to win a high value prize.

“With the increasing popularity of social networking, it seemed fitting that we accelerate our use of Facebook and Twitter as tools for connecting and communicating with our customers,” said Curt Hayes, President and CFO of Capitol. “And these giveaways are an added incentive to encourage customers to engage with us on those platforms.”

The first prize will be a Wilson Model 801242 MobilePro Wireless Cellular Signal Booster, a retail value of $229.95. Two weeks later, on Feb. 4, the prize will be a pair of KEF Model CI160SR 6.5” Ceiling Speakers, a retail value of $299.99. Subsequent prizes will be announced as the giveaways continue.

Only one entry is allowed per giveaway. Visitors who click on the Facebook or Twitter links will be taken to an entry page that records name, address, phone and email contact information. The prize will be awarded to a randomly drawn entry, pulled from both Facebook fans and Twitter entrants, and announced the following Friday.

Capitol Offers Free Two-Day Training Event For Dealers

Eight Capitol Learning Institute Classes Will Be Held On Campus Nov. 14-15, 2012

EAGAN, MN, November 8, 2012 – Capitol®, the leading electronics distribution source for PRO AV and communication contractors, residential systems integrators, retailers and premium incentive resellers, will be hosting a free two-day Capitol Learning Institute™ training event at its Eagan, MN campus next week. The eight classes being offered Wednesday, Nov. 14 through Thursday, Nov. 15, 2012 are designed to provide customers with hands-on training in in-demand technologies, systems, and applications. The classes are all free but require advance registration, which can be completed online.

“These free training classes are part of our Capitol Learning Institute’s on-campus training initiative, designed to help our customers master the latest technologies and ultimately grow their businesses,” said Curt Hayes, President and CFO of Capitol. “Space is limited, and we’ve already had a lot of interest, so I suggest registering online today.”

The courses are being taught by experts from Capitol’s manufacturing partners along with one conducted by an in-house instructor with more than 20 years of experience. The diverse line-up includes: Designing & Planning Wi-Fi Networks with EnGenius Technologies, Cellular Signal Booster Installation Training with Wilson Electronics, Amazingly Thin and Advanced Technology Speakers with Pinnacle, New Technology & Product Update with Russound, Speco CCTV – Choosing the Proper DVR and Cameras with MultiTechReps, Lutron – Grow Your Business with Wireless Shades with MRL, Lutron – Grow Your Business with New Solutions with MLR, and Grow Your Business – Residential Projector and Screen Installations with Capitol. A complete list of class descriptions along with the full schedule is available online.

The Capitol Learning Institute is an aggressive, comprehensive education program that typically features key vendors providing a soup-to-nuts education in the most relevant new products and technologies in their lines, as well as proven tools and techniques for increasing sales through cost-effective marketing and business management practices. These programs take place on campus at Capitol’s Eagan, MN headquarters.

Capitol To Feature Wilson Electronics’ Cellular Signal Boosters At CEDIA Expo 2012

Leader In Fixed & Mobile Cellular Signal Boosters To Launch A New Certification Program Available Through Capitol

EAGAN, MN, August 10, 2012 – Capitol, the leading consumer electronics distribution source for residential systems and PRO AV contractors, residential systems specialists, retailers, and premium incentive resellers, today announced that Wilson Electronics will be a featured vendor in Capitol’s booth (#4060) during the CEDIA Expo in Indianapolis from Sept. 5-8, 2012. Based in St. George, Utah, Wilson designs and manufactures North America’s top-selling line of cell phone signal boosters.

In addition to exhibiting its line of fixed and mobile cellular booster antennas at Capitol’s booth, Wilson will also launch a new certification program for commercial integrators and others in the custom installation market. The Wilson Certified Installer Program will consist of both sales and technical instruction, so installers will learn the ins and outs of Wilson’s various booster products and their capabilities, including new products geared specifically for custom installations, as well as the best way to pitch the products as home automation system add-ons. The company will be conducting its first training session at the show, with future training to be conducted primarily at Capitol’s Education Center through its CLI (Capitol Learning Institute) On-Campus program.

“Cellular reception continues to be a problem in certain geographic areas, particularly in new home developments,” explained Curt Hayes, President and CFO of Capitol. “Cellular boosters offer a tremendous up-sell opportunity for custom installers, which is why we are excited to be able to showcase Wilson’s products and be involved with the debut of its new certification program.”

Wilson Electronics provides signal boosting solutions for a variety of cell phones and cellular devices to help end-users overcome the problem of dropped calls, limited range, and slow data rates for cell phones and data cards. Available in easy to use plug-and-play kits as well as customizable configurations to suit any application, the company’s boosters not only pick up and amplify weak cellular signals, but they also transmit a more powerful signal back to the tower.

Wilson’s signal boosters work transparently on the carrier networks and operate within the frequency ranges of all North American cellular service systems as well as networks in Central and South America, Europe, and Asia. The company also offers a wide variety of signal boosters, antennas, and other cellular accessories for interior and exterior mounting in buildings, motor vehicles, and marine applications.