TEMPE, AZ (10.15.26) – MasterTech Expo is proud to announce a new partnership with the International Auto Sound Challenge Association (IASCA), bringing competitive sound quality, installation excellence, and industry education to MasterTech Expo 2027, taking place March 11–14 at the Mesa Convention Center and Delta Hotels Mesa in Mesa, Ariz. This collaboration brings together two organizations committed to advancing the mobile electronics industry through education, innovation, and professional development.
“MasterTech Expo has always focused on bringing the best education, technology, and industry professionals together under one roof,” said Bryan Schmitt, founder of MasterTech Expo and CEO, founder, and president of Mobile Solutions. “Adding IASCA competition creates another exciting opportunity for manufacturers, retailers, and installers to showcase their craftsmanship, demonstrate their products, and experience high-performance audio at the highest level.”
The partnership introduces three exciting additions to the event:
• IASCA Expo Vehicle Southwest Regional Championship
• 2027 Double Points Competition
• IASCA Competition Seminar
“Since the very first MasterTech Expo, I have believed that the venue, event, and audience create the perfect combination for a car audio competition,” said Harry Kimura – IASCA Managing Director. “MasterTech brings elite experts together for a consortium of teaching and learning. With the expanding curriculum of the ‘SQ Track’ at MasterTech, it feels like a natural fit to gather the best competition systems for the MasterTech Expo IASCA Shootout. This would bring a major Sound Off back to the Greater Phoenix area—a region deeply rooted in high-level car audio history (Rockford Fosgate, PPI, Orion, MTX, Xtant) and home to the first two IASCA Finals in the late 1980s. It is time to bring high-level competitions back to Arizona, and MasterTech Expo is the ideal place to do it.”
IASCA Expo Vehicle Southwest Regional Championship
One of the highlights of the partnership will be an exclusive Triple Point IASCA Sound Quality (SQC) and Installation Quality (IQC) Competition designed specifically for manufacturer and exhibitor demonstration vehicles participating in MasterTech Expo.
The competition will recognize outstanding sound quality, system design, and installation craftsmanship, providing exhibitors with an opportunity to showcase their vehicles and technologies in a professionally judged environment. The vehicle receiving the highest Sound Quality score will earn the prestigious Best of Show title and a 50-point bonus, providing enough points to automatically qualify for the IASCA World Finals. IASCA will also provide a complimentary membership to fulfill the membership requirement for qualification.
Judging will take place during the early morning hours before the trade show opens, allowing exhibitors to participate without interfering with scheduled training sessions or show activities.
2027 IASCA Double Points Competition
MasterTech Expo will also host an IASCA Double Points Competition alongside its Saturday Car Show. Open to qualifying competitor vehicles outside the exhibitor demonstration category, this event will follow IASCA’s traditional competition format, offering participants professional judging, valuable system feedback, and the opportunity to earn points toward IASCA championship standings.
Competitors will receive an evaluation from an IASCA judge and compete for official IASCA acrylic awards. By combining competitive sound quality with MasterTech Expo’s growing automotive showcase, the event will bring an additional level of excitement and engagement for competitors, attendees, manufacturers, and automotive enthusiasts.
IASCA Competition Seminar – Education Beyond the Competition
Education remains at the heart of both organizations. As part of the partnership, IASCA will present a dedicated educational seminar introducing retailers, installers, and industry professionals to the benefits of sound quality competition. The seminar will explore how businesses can leverage competition to promote their services, attract new customers, demonstrate installation quality, and build credibility within the mobile electronics community.
Attendees will also gain insight into IASCA’s scoring system, judging criteria, and competition formats. The session is designed to encourage greater industry participation while helping retailers and technicians understand how competition can become a valuable business and professional development tool.
Strengthening the Mobile Electronics Industry
IASCA and MasterTech Expo share a common vision of strengthening the mobile electronics industry by supporting manufacturers, promoting professional installation practices, and increasing consumer awareness of high-quality automotive audio products. IASCA’s commitment to industry growth is reflected in its Judges’ Mission Statement: “Helping Our Industry Grow Through Education and Awareness.”
Through this partnership, both organizations aim to inspire the next generation of mobile electronics professionals, recognize exceptional craftsmanship, and elevate the standards of automotive audio installation and system performance.
“Competition has always played an important role in advancing our industry,” added Schmitt. “It challenges professionals to improve their skills, creates opportunities for manufacturers to demonstrate their technology, and ultimately helps raise the level of quality throughout the industry. We’re excited to bring this experience to MasterTech Expo.”
Registration and additional event information are available at www.mastertechexpo.com. Attendees are encouraged to register early and plan their education selections and hotel stay.
