MESA, AZ (03.08.23) – The MasterTech Expo 2023, that exceeded its targets for exhibitors and attendees in its second year, continued strong on Day 2. Its expansion over the 2022 show enabled larger class sizes and more attendees.
The main hall was a gathering area for attendees to see a wide variety of custom fabrication projects.
Chip Foose and MasterTech Expo host Bryan Schmitt are center stage in this session.
MasterTech Expo 2023 featured special guest Chip Foose, renowned vehicle designer and builder, who conducted a live design session for attendees on the main show floor, backed by a video wall that allowed attendees to see his work up close.
The sophomore show also added new technology as well. The Master Design and School of Fab courses both centered on demonstrations matching OEM design, styling tips and materials use when adding equipment and enclosers to a factory interior.
Garry Springgay conducting “SubSonic” in the Modern Tech track.
Marcus Vasconcellos (R) covering new KENWOOD products and applications for motorcycles as the cruising season is here.
“We’re extremely pleased with the turnout and excitement happening at our second show,” said Bryan Schmitt, founder of MasterTech Expo. “It’s both exciting and gratifying to see so many industry participants find value in what we are doing here at the MasterTech Expo in the Mesa Convention Center. We look forward to a better and more fulfilling presentation each year.”
In the outdoor exhibit area the Team Nutz crew checked out the latest from MEMPHIS AUDIO. Mark Schleipfer (L)-Powersports Division Manager and Nick LoMonaco (3rd)-MEMPHIS AUDIO President showed Ed, Tom and Ben the lineup on Day 2.
JVC debuted a Polaris Ranger loaded with new powersports amps and speakers… custom installed by Brad’s Car Tunes.
Planning for the 2024 trade show and training exhibition has already begun as show organizers look at additional spaces near the Mesa Convention Center to house more classes and vendor attractions.
For more information, or to attend MasterTech Expo, visit mastertechexpo.com.
SPRINGFIELD, MA (03.08.23) – GoFast Solutions is excited to announce the official date for the 2023 Mobile Expo… April 12th at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA from 8 AM – 6 PM.
“The Mobile Expo is the traditional kick-off to the season,” said David Prinz CEO of GoFast Solutions. “As the weather starts to turn and the days get longer, consumers are anxious to break out recreational vehicles [cars, ATVs, boats, motorcycles, etc.] that were stored for the winter.”
“The one constant in our industry is CHANGE. We feel that it is a responsibility of a true distributor partner to provide our customers with the tools they need to navigate the changes and succeed. This is why we have challenged our vendor partners to provide level 2 training for their brands at the GoFast 2023 Mobile Expo.”
David adds, “When I had my retail store, I was always looking for new ways to generate income in the shop. With that in mind, we are focusing on helping our customers explore new opportunities to add to their core business, maximize the space that they already have, and ultimately increase profit. This isn’t a typical car stereo show, it’s a business show geared towards small business owners specializing in the automotive aftermarket industry.”
This One-Day Only Live Show will Feature:
• Keynote Speaker Steve Greenfield Founder and CEO of Automotive Ventures o “The Future of Automotive Retail” • Chris Cook MEA President o “Pulse of the Industry” • Live Training & Presentations o P&S Detailing’s featuring Social Media Sensation Syndi Gwinn o Solar Gard Featuring Tint “Yoda” Ismail Pereira • New Product Launches • Catered Breakfast & Lunch • Cocktail Hour • Prizes & Giveaways • Networking Opportunities
The GoFast Solutions 2023 Mobile Expo is being held LIVE & In-Person at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Massachusetts on April 12th, from 8 AM – 6 PM.
CLEARWATER, FL (03.08.23) – For nearly three decades, The Epicenter has been revolutionizing the world of music by delivering powerful, rich bass tones that bring life to every genre imaginable. But it is among the fans of Mexican music and culture where The Epicenter has become a beloved symbol of excellence in sound, with the authentic and powerful bass it brings to the mix.
“To celebrate this special connection between Mexico and its music, we are proud to present The Epicenter Edición México. Featuring the iconic colors of the Mexican flag – green, white and red – adorned with vintage-style native glyphs and illuminated in a vibrant tricolor logo, The Epicenter Edición México maintains the renowned sound quality and unmatched bass restoration that have made The Epicenter an integral part of listening experiences worldwide.”
Accompanying every unit, a certificate of authenticity with matching serial number will provide customers with peace of mind, knowing that they’ve received an authentic AudioControl Epicenter Edición Mexico.
The Epicenter Edición México reflects our dedication to creating products that enhance music lovers’ listening experience. We firmly believe that this special edition of The Epicenter will offer fans an immersive and truly unique experience, enriching their enjoyment of the music they know and love – now with a distinctive Mexican flair!
Additionally, this product is offered at an affordable price point of $199.00 MAP ($279.00 MSRP) making it accessible to customers of all budgets.
We are now accepting preorders! To ensure that our customers have access to this exclusive product, orders will be capped at 10 pcs per account/store location—so don’t wait! This item is intended for brick-and-mortar retailers only, not to be sold online.
For more information about The Epicenter Edición México or any other products, please contact your AudioControl sales rep or visit our website.
MESA, AZ (03.07.23) – The MasterTechExpo 2023 has exceeded its targets for exhibitors and attendees in its second year. Its expansion over the 2022 show has enabled larger class sizes and more attendees. Planning for the 2024 tradeshow and training exhibition has already begun as show organizers look at additional spaces near the Mesa Convention Center to house more classes and vendor attractions.
MasterTech Expo 2023, running March 5th-8th at the Mesa Convention Center, has added several new attractions, including a larger concert venue, allocations for more exhibitors, three new award categories and additional automotive aftermarket classes. Special guest Chip Foose, renowned vehicle designer and builder, will conduct a live design session for attendees on the main show floor, backed by a video wall that will allow attendees to see his work up close.
Attendees gathered in front of the stage Sunday evening before the open ceremonies.
This packed session post from @cartronicstn shows the Monday part 1 of 4 classes on custom fab and mastering center consoles.
The sophomore show adds new technology as well. The Master Design and School of Fab courses will both center on a fully digitized vehicle that will be used to demonstrate matching OEM design, styling tips and materials use when adding equipment and enclosers to a factory interior.
“The weather is great in Mesa AZ… JBL and Infinity are on display. The JBL Arena X Tundra is on display with an Arena X demo studio. We are seeing super action in our booth and invite all at the MasterTech Expo to check it out” Shawn Spedding related.
Ed Nuttall, Ben Bjerke and Tom Mays (L to R) from Team Nutz, flew into Phoenix from Pittsburgh early Sunday morning to attend the MasterTech Expo.
“We’re extremely pleased with the anticipated turnout and excitement building around our second show,” said Bryan Schmitt, founder of MasterTech Expo. “It’s both exciting and gratifying to see so many industry participants find value in what we are doing. We look forward to a better and more fulfilling presentation each year.”
The Team Nutz crew from Pittsburgh-Ed, Ben and Tom- attended the Wet Sounds training presented by Carl Campbell on Monday evening.
For more information, or to attend MasterTech Expo, visit mastertechexpo.com.
MESA, AZ (03.07.23) – Wet Sounds has taken a 2023 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon and modified it to house a full Wet Sounds audio system that is on display at MasterTech. This concept is to appeal to the Jeep and aftermarket community as a plug-and-play system as these owners are seen to modify their vehicles for off-road applications. This vehicle is equipped with: 1x SYN-DX6-DSP 6 channel marine amplifier, 1 SYN-DX4-DSP 4 channel marine amplifier, 4x ZERO Series 6 6” high-output coaxial speakers, 2x ZERO Series 12 XZ 12” sealed enclosure subwoofers, and 2x REV 12 HD 12” marine tower speakers.
This concept vehicle has all new, never before seen modifications. The entire kit utilizes the factory mounting locations. There is no cutting or modification of the vehicle. New speaker grilles were created that integrate into the factory mounting locations. The design matches the aesthetics of the factory interior. The goal was to make it easier for the user to install and reveal a seamless installation. ZERO Series component speakers were created specifically for the Jeep to be able to sit stylishly in the dash.
The Wet Sounds modified 2023 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon setup at the MasterTech Expo.
The Wet Sounds interior speaker system set for demos in Mesa AZ.
DSP Amplifiers were used so that the ZERO Series speakers could be optimized for the vehicle. This DSP tune, specified for this Jeep Wrangler, will sound the best that it can, right out of the box. A roto-mold enclosure was designed to house 2x ZERO Series 12” subwoofers and the amplifiers to set at the base of the back trunk area. This enclosure still provides enough airspace around the amplifiers for heat dissipation.
The Wet Sounds speakers utilize the factory mounting locations.
Exterior graphics draw attention to the Wet Sounds audio system in the Jeep at the MasterTech Expo.
To mount the REV 12 HD tower speakers, aluminum mounting brackets were built to utilize the factory threaded mounts on the roll bar. These tower brackets are currently only designed for a hard top Jeep, but there are future designs in the works. A new wiring harness was designed specifically for Jeep vehicles and it is compatible with any aftermarket radio or OEM integration pieces. For user discretion, a tower and subwoofer master control unit was added to the center console.
The Team Nutz crew from Pittsburgh-Ed, Ben and Tom- attended the Wet Sounds training presented by Carl Campbell on Monday evening.
This plug-and-play design was created in hopes to appeal to the Jeep and aftermarket community that would be a simple upgrade option or add on, making it more available to buyers.
Wet Sounds hosted a Training Session at MasterTech on Monday, 3/6 called “Marine Tips & Tricks You Wish You Knew”.
Carl Campbell, Wet Sounds National Training Director, supplied the images and information for the onsite MasterTech Expo images.
POMPANO BEACH, FL (03.07.23) – RDV Automotive Technology the go to company for Wireless CarPlay integration is proud to announce the release of a brand-new hardware platform for the RDV Wireless CarPlay interfaces. The NEW CP1 platform uses the highest quality and newest chipsets available.
Rich De Sclafani proudly displays the new Wireless CarPlay hardware-the CP1 platform.
Rich De Sclafani the owner of RDV said about the new upgraded hardware being released. “I am extremely excited to launch this upgraded hardware platform. The new chipsets are a big upgrade over the previous generation and the improvements are substantial. The new hardware is faster, smoother, more responsive, provides a more stable WiFi and Bluetooth connection, uses the OEM in applications where an aftermarket mic was required and is less expensive than some of the SKU’s the new hardware replaces. I strive to offer the highest quality products and the best 24/7 support in the industry.”
The NEW CP1 line of products offer the highest quality and best warranty in the industry. With over 25 years of experience, we stand behind our products 100%.
These kits offer the most seamless integration available by using all your OEM radio controls and OEM Microphone.
AMARILLO, TX (03.06.23) – The KICKER AMA ArenaCross 14-City Series rolled into the 10,000 seat Amarillo National Center on Friday March 3rd. Tunes and Tint, a strong KICKER dealer in Amarillo, was in the house with a 5 member team.
“It was terrific to have the Tunes and Tint crew at the event and under the KICKER tent in the lobby. It was also terrific, and a big surprise, when Brad Ganz arrived at the event. Brad is the KICKER Central Regional Sales Manager and is on the mend from a very serious accident on the mountain bike trail and his travel have been very limited” Lorin Morrell, who orchestrates the KICKER AMA Arenacross Series events, related.
Lorin Morrell (3rd from L) is flanked by the Tunes and Tint team members at the event.
An excited Lorin Morrell with Brad Ganz in his vintage 1973 long sleeve T-Shirt.
A very busy Pit Party got the action started very shortly after the doors opened. Attendees walked the track and had an opportunity to meet the riders and check out the motorcycles they would be riding around the track and flying high over the mounds. As soon as riders left the starting gate the track was red hot as riders and attendees were Livin’ Loud.
The track was packed with enthusiasts for the Pit Party that got the night off to a fast start.
The stands filled as the racing was set to begin.
The KICKER tent in the lobby area, that virtually everyone who entered Amarillo National Center had to pass by, showcased a wide selection pf KICKER products for all to check out.
Brad Ganz offered “The event went very well. It was indeed wondrerful to have the staff from Tunes and Tint at the event. They were able to book a few appointments for KICKER installs and tint for this next week. They were all so very excited and they can not wait to do an event like this again in the future with KICKER. It was so much fun watching Stacy hand out KICKER lanyards and Koozies. She was just so enthusiastic and cleaver about it. She was able to get so many people to come up to the booth and ask questions about KICKER along with Tunes and Tint.”
The Bullfrog winner, all smiles with his Bullfrog prize, is flanked by Mike from Tunes and Tint along with Lorin Morrell (R).
“Powersports, trucks and marine are strong categories in the area..so the KICKER PowerBar grabbed attention. I talked with one fellow, who had a Soundbar from another brand, and he was so amazed at how much better the KICKER PowerBar sounded than what he has when I cranked it up” Morrell related.
Concluding Morrell stated “In addition to the action on the track wrapped KICKER T-shirts were tossed into the crowd during race breaks and track maintenance periods. A special KICKER T had a certificate wrapped inside for a KICKER BullFrog prize to be picked up at the KICKER display in the lobby. The crowd member who caught the KICKER T with the certificate was very happy when he went to the booth and picked up his Bullfrog prize.”
Wes Kain encouraging crowd members to wave their checkered flags for a chance to win a KICKER Lifestyle prize.
Crowd members also participated in flag-waving sessions as Wes Kain was on the PA system exciting members of the crowd to wave checkered flags for a chance to win KICKER Lifestyle products. All the winners smiled with Kicker prizes in their hands.
The next stop on the 2023 AMA KICKER Arenacross 14-City Series is Tulsa OK on Friday, March 10th.
NEW YORK, NY (03.06.23) – SiriusXM will begin its season-long coverage of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES® season with live coverage of this weekend’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, running Sunday, March 5 (coverage starting at 11:30 am ET).
SiriusXM subscribers will have access to the live call of this race and every one of the 17 events on the INDYCAR calendar, including the 107th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge (May 28), plus coverage of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES qualifying and practice sessions.
In addition to NTT INDYCAR SERIES races, SiriusXM will air INDY NXT by Firestone series races throughout the course of the season. The INDY NXT series features some of the world’s best young open-wheel drivers and has produced many of the stars in INDYCAR today.
INDYCAR broadcasts will be available to subscribers nationwide on the SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation channel in their cars (channel 160) and on the SXM App. For a schedule of races go to: SiriusXM.com/IndySeries.
In addition to on-track coverage, SiriusXM offers fans weekly shows and podcasts that feature active drivers delivering the ultimate insider’s perspective on the sport.
SiriusXM’s exclusive INDYCAR show, Brick-by-Brick will air every Wednesday (6 pm ET) on the NBC Sports Audio channel (SiriusXM channel 85). The show will also air on race days on the SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation channel and will be available on demand on the SXM App.
INDYCAR fans can also tune in to the podcast Off Track with Hinch & Rossi, hosted by Andretti Autosport teammates James Hinchcliffe and Alexander Rossi. New episodes of Off Track with Hinch & Rossi debut weekly and can be heard on the SXM App and all major podcast platforms. The podcast will also air every Saturday at 9 am and 1 pm ET on NBC Sports Audio and on race days on SiriusXM INDYCAR Nation.
SiriusXM will be the co-title sponsor on two cars in the field for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg – the No. 06 Meyer Shank Racing Honda driven by four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves as well as the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Honda of 2016 INDYCAR SERIES Champion and winner of the 2019 Indianapolis 500 Simon Pagenaud. The cars driven by Pagenaud and Castroneves car will showcase the SiriusXM livery for all 16 races run in the U.S. this season.
Eligible customers can get their first three months of SiriusXM streaming for free. Click here to sign up and experience all that SiriusXM has to offer. See Offer Details.
RESEDA, CA (03.06.23) – Crux has released a radio replacement with steering wheel control retention interface for select Ford vehicles 2020 and newer (SWRFD-60T).
PHOENIX AZ (03.04.23) Larry Frederick, a truly unique member of the 12volt industry, passed away on Thursday afternoon March 2nd. Larry had been in rehab following back surgeries and anticipated getting back to work driving business at Cicada Audio. Larry Frederick was always on the leading edge of product development to fill a specific need. He founded Cicada Audio to fill the need for top quality audio products across the fast growing motorcycle category. Larry had a fast ride on many bikes until his recent passing on Thursday March 2nd.
Larry Frederick holds new Cicada Audio products in the company’s Phoenix HQ on June 17th, 2021.
Members, across all sections of the 12volt industry, remember Larry Frederick as a man who did not mence words in any setting to make a point. In one instance probably 2 decades ago Larry, who was making an industry presentation during a meeting, was asked by the event organizer to leave the room for words he used during the presentation.
Larry Frederick had several business lives in the 12volt industry including Cerwin Vega/Diamond Audio, Elettromedia, Phoenix Gold plus Alpine and Concept.
In the business arena Larry Frederick was business casual with Tommy Bahama shirts, shorts and sneakers. But with a definite plan.
Larry Frederick dressed for work in this November 23, 2021 post showing inventory in stock in the Phoenix warehouse.
The 12volt Central Studios offers great symphany to Larry’s wife Adrianna along with daughters Catherine and Ashley. Condolences to all the friends Larry he enjoyed across the 12volt industry.
Larry Frederick will continue his ride as Cicada Audio stays on highways across the US and beyond. When a favorite song comes on as you ride honk the horn twice for Larry Frederick.
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