MARIETTA, GA (06.04.26) – DOW Technologies hosted a KICKER training at Dave & Buster’s in Marietta GA Tuesday night, June 2nd. It was a packed house as dealers enjoyed the presentations from Aaron Malin and Jacob Lucky. During the evening dealers also enjoyed winning prizes, a great dinner with refreshments and discounts on purchases. Attendee also enjoyed the exclusive offer of 5% off for training attendee purchases with no exclusions.

Mike Blackwell, DOW Technologies was on site and related. “KICKER gave the dealers a sneak peek at the new Jeep JK/JL tailgate loaded enclosure… loaded with a 12” Solo Baric. This thing really gets down”. Blackwell also supplied super images from the event in this article.

Richie Holtzman, Tech Marketing Principal, was in the house and added. “I was excited for the dealers to see the new LX Amplifiers massive power output and how to dial them in using the LX control center. Support and turn out was awesome!”

Next on the busy schedule for Aaron Malin and Jacob Lucky is the short trip up to Atlanta to be on site making presentations and connecting plus judging at the Skills USA championship. The Skills USA championship is the premier showcase of America’s most highly skilled career and tactical education for students event.

Malin stated “We need these young men and women to join us in our quickly evolving industry” Malin, the Supervisor of KICKER’s Global Training, stated. Skills USA competitive categories stress various aspects of the real-world workplace so when students graduate they are positioned to immediately contribute on the job.

Stay tuned for more from KICKER at the Skills USA as the event wraps up on Friday, June 5.

Visit dowtechnologies.com and kicker.com for more.

12VOLT CENTRAL STUDIOS (06.04.26) – Jammin’ N June… It’s Summer Time and time to ‘Crank It Up’! Your store’s followers can get Jammin’ N June with great gear for their rides. Let them know your store has the HiTech in-dash media, powerful amps, speakers and more to get their rides Jammin’ N June. LED vehicle lighting too! Invite consumers to Crank Up their rides, bikes, boats and UTVs.

That theme can grab the attention of social media followers and consumers to create store traffic for 12volt retailers. Utilize this Jammin’ N June graphic for your social media posts. Screenshot the graphic and use it for social media posts… for free!

Online sales have been on a steady rise for the past several years. Inventory shortages, plus inflation and gas prices have slowed business for many retailers. Jammin’ N June themed activities, by proactive 12volt retailers, can drive consumer awareness and traffic into stores… and very importantly drive sales.

It’s imperative that 12volt retailers create a powerful in-store experience for consumers in the showroom. An impressive demonstration in the showroom will bring a smile to the consumer’s face and can raise the hair on their arms… making the cash register ring also.

In-person retail events and Sound-Off are creating excitement again in the marketplace. These facts indicate 12volt enthusiasts and consumers are ready to Crank It Up and get Jammin’ N June!

From the 12volt Central Studios we will continue to showcase positives across the 12volt industry. The 12voltSTP Tool makes that easier than ever. Snap an image with your smartphone. Txt that image to 318-469-2526 PRESTO! Your positive activities could be in The 12volt News.

As an industry ‘Let’s Get Our Shine On.’ Let’s get Jammin’ N June! Much more to come from the 12volt Central Studios.

PELHAM, AL (06.03.26) – Radio Active hosted an IASCA Sound Quality Challenge on Saturday, May 30th in Pelham AL. Andy Otwell, a sound-off competition competitor and now somewhat retired from the lanes, was on site to the judge the event. Registration was at 9 AM and judging began at 10.

The Radio Active store sets up perfectly for a competition, with a large well-done showroom with adequate area for the judging. Plenty of space for a delicious lunch from the grill outside. Wesley Fields and Kevin Hill, and the staff, were terrific hosts for the event.

Andy relayed “It was great judging this competition to really get the season rolling. The vehicles judged were of high-quality and well designed. A special guest on site was Bryan Gary who was on his way to the Skills USA event happening this week in Atlanta, GA. Bryan is a serious competitor who had on his T-shirt from the recent KICKER SQ@HQ event in Stillwater OK.”

“It was super to engage in the IASCA competition in Pelham, to talk with other competitors plus talking with Andy about his history as a competitor. It was great to stop on Saturday as I was on my way to Atlanta to be involved with the Skills USA event which encourages young students and enthusiasts to get involved with mobile electronics” Bryan Gary related.

To wrap the day on Saturday the Radio Active staff provided a delicious lunch that included burgers from the grill. The lunch
time also provided an opportunity for all on site to connect about their next competition and possible system upgrades.

As the competition season is kicking off in 2026 it appears that all is lining up for a great season.

Radio Active has been serving the Pelham/Birmingham area since 1986.

For more see radioactivebirmingham.com

AUBURN HILLS, MI (06.02.26) – Alps Alpine North America, Inc. (“Alpine”) is excited to announce the integration into the DAS Companies distribution ecosystem. This new strategic partnership will assist in delivering exclusive Alpine products to DAS Companies’ Mid-Atlantic Territory.

“Alpine is thrilled to be partnering with DAS Companies; we are optimistic that this partnership will continue to strengthen our current distribution system for our dealers,” said Dan Sparks, National Sales Director at Alps Alpine North America. “As a former rep myself, I know firsthand how important it is to have reliable inventory access and logistical support for our dealers. We are confident that having DAS Companies as a resource will help day to day operations streamline exponentially.”

DAS Companies has been a leader in the supply chain sector for decades and specializes in a wide variety of industries such as travel equipment and auto products. Alpine is aligned with DAS Companies on their commitment to supporting on-the-go active lifestyles and a passion for the mobile electronics market. DAS Company sets the standard for customer satisfaction by offering same-day pick-up and next-day delivery as well as an acute knowledge of market trends and insights to help dealers succeed.

“DAS looks forward to representing Alpine as everything our dealers seek in a premium mobile electronics partner,” said Ken Litten, CE/HD Sales & Marketing Manager at DAS Companies, Inc. “This partnership kicks-off a new chapter for our dealer network and reinforces our commitment to bringing the right brands to the right markets at the right time. That’s always been the DAS way.”

For those interested in learning more about the onboarding process through DAS Companies, Alpine’s rep firm, OPUS Marketing, and DAS Companies will be exhibiting at Knowledge Fest Atlantic City 2026 and will have resources available to help facilitate the onboarding process. Details of this partnership were communicated earlier this month through internal channels.

Visit alpsalpine.com and dasinc.com for more.

SEATTLE, WA (06.01.26) – Lucas Lighting had a prominent position in the Team Progressive area on the show floor at the Pacific Northwest expo. Barry Lightfoot was very busy during the Expo spending time in the booth showing the Lucas product lineup and conducting two training sessions. “Connecting with dealers in-person at the Pacific Northwest Expo was a terrific opportunity to learn how consumers are engaging with aftermarket lighting upgrades.”

Lightfoot continued “Even though LED lights have been around for a long time, it’s even more important now to understand current market conditions, and succeed in this emerging category. Lucas Lighting has the tools to help all retailers find new opportunities without trading dollars for other products in their stores.”

Lightfoot conducted well attended Lucas lighting trainings on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. “At booth trainings dealers were engaged and asked how other retailers are driving business in the lighting category? We have in-store displays plus POP materials that show benefits of LED upgrades on the road at night. Having a booth in Seattle worked out very well for Lucas Lighting” Lightfoot concluded.

For more see lucas.lighting.com