BELLE CHASSE, LA (04.02.26) -Extreme Car Audio was once again on site at the Bayou Jeep Bash in Belle Chasse, March 27-29 at the NOLA MotorSports Park, on the Plaquemine Parish Recreation grounds. This year as the Elite Sponsor of the 2nd annual event.

Ace Truong, Extreme Car Audio owner, stated “This year’s event was very successful and far exceeded last year’s inaugural event in several ways. Attendance was way up and we definitely look forward to next year returning as the Elite Sponsor.”

The Bayou Jeep Bash offered a wide selection of Jeep vendors, arts and craft vendors, live music, lights and sound competitions along with food trucks. The world’s largest Rubber Duck, a tradition at many Jeeps, events stood out on site.

There were a number of Extreme Car Audio brands spotlighted on tables under the large tent with demo vehicles along side.

Area rep firms Momentum Marketing and Crossover Marketing Southeast, along with Chris Brinkley from MSC, were on site. Ben Pugh from Momentum Marketing and Shawn Simpson from Crossover showed brands their firms reps to Extreme Car Audio.

Simpson related “Ground Zero grabbed so much attention around the Extreme Car Audio booth. Our flag banner was flying high above the tent. The crowd around Ace’s booth was something I had not seen at a consumer show in a long time. From this event enthusiasts will be upgrading their Jeeps at Extreme Car Audio for weeks to come.”

Ben Pugh relayed “I was on site at the Bayou Jeep Bash supporting Rockford, Kenwood, Elettromedia and Firstech. Ace and his Team are great supporters of our brands. Being at the Bayou Jeep Bash was super for me to also connect with consumers to get an idea what they are looking for their automotive upgrades.”

Chris Brinkley recently joined MSC as a Dealer Support Specialist and showcased Match/Helix/Blam on tables under the tent. We went to support our dealer at the Bayou Jeep Bash. The crowd was amazing and very receptive. A much bigger crowd than last year. The guys at Extreme Car Audio were very professional and the experts at the event.”

The entire Extreme Car Audio staff, including 4 sales staff, 3 installers and office staff were on site. The team also loaded a full trailer filled with in-store displays that were set up under the tent in the booth as installations were taking place along site.

Continuing Ace offered “We were very busy both days at the event. Overall, it was a terrific two day event as we were making sales and installations both days. Following the event we had Jeeps in our install bay in Marrero for installations.”

“The Bayou Jeep Bash was a great opportunity to connect in-person with Jeepers and enthusiasts. All of us working together was a terrific way to connect and drive business in our store” Ace concluded.

Visit extremecaraudiollc.com for more.

A big 12volt Central Studios “Thank You” to Shawn Simpson, Ben Pugh, and Chris Brinkley for their input and great images!

SHREVEPORT, LA (04.01.26) – March wrapped up on a high note with the Shiflet & Dickson Dealer Show in Gastonia NC followed the DB Drive Experience event with distributors for their dealers at Dave & Buster’s in Atlanta. The Bayou Jeep Bash was much better than last year‘s inaugural event. DOW Technologies is hosting a 4-City KICKER U Training series to cap March and kickoff April in South Florida.

The uptick of industry events is continuing to begin the month of April. The Creative Audio AMP’D Up in the Ozarks kicks off on Saturday the 4th followed Davis Distribution events in Pittsburgh and later in Valley Forge. The Petra Beats & Bites event on the 8th in Edmond OK is set to again draw a big turnout of area dealers. The CMA Expo begins on the 10th in Toronto and will draw dealers from across Canada. The N and H Electronics show on the 11th in Hattiesburg MS, the AM Merchandising Show in Oakland CA, followed by the big Jeep Beach Bash Consumer event in Daytona Beach, will keep all Cranked Up In April.

With the warm weather car shows, bike shows, UTV events and marine action on the waves events will certainly be an opportunity for all members of the 12volt industry to get engaged across the US to get all Cranked up in April.

The 12volt Central Studio staff will re-double efforts to showcase all of these positive activities across the industry. It’s certainly easier than ever for industry members to spotlight their positive activities when they utilize the 12voltSTP Tool. Everyone has a smartphone in their pocket and they can easily snap an image, txt it to 318 469 2526 with a few words and Presto… their positive activities could be posted on 12voltnews.com along with @12voltnews social media posts.

Let’s all work together to Crank It Up in April.

BATESVILLE, IN (03.31.26) -Effective March 31, 2026, Mike Beyersdoerfer will retire from the Consumer Electronics Industry. As a result, BEI Inc. Mike’s company, will be retiring as Sales Representative for MTX.

This year, 56 years ago in Consumer Electronics, Mike started selling Home Audio components at Swallens in Cincinnati OH as a college intern. After graduating from college, Mike held positions as Retail Manager at Steinberg’s in Cincinnati OH, Territory Manager for Pioneer Electronics in the Ohio Valley, Vice President of the REX TV Retail chain out of Dayton OH, Field Sales Manager for Philips Consumer Electronics in the Ohio Valley and Michigan markets plus National Sales Manager of TEAC America.

As President and Founder of BEI, Inc. and Just N Time Distributing Mike transitioned to marketing in four industries: Consumer Electronics, Motorcycle, Automotive Aftermarket and RV.

BEI Inc started in the Rocky Mountain states and finished back in the Ohio Valley markets. For over 24 years BEI Inc has served as a Consultant, Sales Representative and Brand Manager.

BEI,Inc also participated in the launches of new companies like TomTom, CRUX Interfacing, and directed companies into alternative channels of distribution.

With his retirement Mike wants to thank all of his customers and business partners throughout the United States for their support.

LAKE HAVASU, AZ (03.30.26) – The 2nd Annual ToonFest USA Boat Show was making waves on Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, at the Havasu Riviera Marina. Attendees checked out the latest and greatest from each participating manufacturer and even got some smoking deals on a new pontoon boat from attending dealers. There was a strong selection of marine vendors on site along with food, good music and cold drinks. The large ToonFest Glow Party Saturday night capped ToonFestUSA.

KICKER Marine and KICKER Audio were on site with a strong setup as Lorin Morrell, Maddog Media, orchestrated the event. KICKER Marine products were set up underneath the KICKER tent and the KICKER RZR was also on site Livin’Loud with music for attendees.

Morrell related “The weekend was unseasonably warm reaching 100 degrees around noon. Attendance was stronger before noon as people went out on the lake to stay cooler on the waves in the afternoon. The ToonFest was a terrific market for KICKER Marine and Audio products.”

Adding “There were snowbirds on site from cold areas in the northern US. Some I talk with actually have boats docked here and when they saw the KICKER Marine products it opened their eyes to upgrade their boat here at Lake Havasu. I let them know about Elite for their boat and Ron’s for other rides.”

“In addition, I showed other snowbirds the opportunities to add KICKER Marine to their boats when I showed them the KICKER dealer locator in their city up North. And of course all were listening to the KICKER RZR. One snowbird in the house even said he was going to call the local dealer in Havasu to add the KICKER tower speakers to his in progress project” Morrell concluded.

There is a large boating community in the Lake Havasu area and with the growing success of these two events, the ToonFestUSA will continue to grow in the future.

For more see toonfestusa.com.

ATLANTA, GA (03.26.26) – The DB Experience was unveiled in the southeast this past weekend at the Shiflet and Dickson Dealer Show in Gastonia NC on Saturday and Sunday and at Dave & Buster’s in Atlanta Tuesday night. The DB Experience is an amazing rolling showroom filled with displays for products and live demos. Randy Goodman and Leo Gonzalez orchestrated the two events with the DB Experience crew. To make the experience happen the crew rolled from South Texas to Gastonia for the one-way 1300 mile trip to get the DB Experience tour rolling.

The DB Experience at Dave & Buster’s in Atlanta was a perfect setting for dealers from area Distributors to get together. 75 attendees enjoyed dinner and saw new products in the Euphoria Marine and Powersports Line as well as new Micro Amps in the DB Drive Line.

“Dinner was provided and networking time was also included in the DB Experience unveil. As dealers went outside and entered the rolling showroom they were able to see new products as well as have live demos. These 2 events were a terrific way for all to really get the season kicked off and rolling” Randy Goodwin related.

At the Shiflet and Dickson Dealer Show in Gastonia the DB Experience was like a magnet in the large outdoor area. Some rain Saturday night slowed the possibilities, but on Sunday it was full speed ahead as attendee spent time checking out all of the products and live demos inside. Additionally, a 10’ inflatable DB Drive subwoofer was a studio for attendees to snap an image and share with their friends.

Stay tuned for more from The DB Experience from the 12volt Central Studios.

More at dbdrive.net.

HAVERHILL, MA (03.24.26) – The VOXX ‘Dash Cam Sold Here’ banner is sent to every dealer that orders the VOXX ADAS ACADC5 AI dash cam with Blindspot detection. The banner can be placed on a showroom wall, window or on an outside wall. The key is to create visibility to connect with consumers to create awareness for this important category.

Matt Herold, Trent Partners New England, was recently at Jonathan Maroun’s Security Sound Systems in Haverhill MA to conduct a training and snapped an image with Jonathan stretching out his store’s ‘Dash Cam Sold Here’ banner. After the snow cleared, Jonathan put the banner on the outside wall of his building to attract visibility to let consumers know about this very important category. “Jonathan and the crew really connect and inform their customers about products to make their time behind the wheel more enjoyable and safer with aftermaket upgrades.”

The new ADAS ACADC5 4K dash cam sets a new benchmark for advanced driver safety. Featuring both front and rear cameras with crystal clear recording, the system integrates LED and visual indicators to support its AI driven safety alerts. The ACADC5 provides forward collision, rear traffic and pedestrian warnings along with lane departure monitoring, a visual bumper and stop and go notification. Through the VOXX ADAS app, users can easily access and manage dash cam footage and storage.

“It’s super that VOXX has the ‘Dash Cam Sold Here’ program in place for retailers. In addition with reps in the field like Matt we stay up to date on the latest information from VOXX. We placed our ‘Dash Cam Sold Here’ banner high up on our building wall and have already had comments” Jonathan relayed.

The ‘Dash Cam Sold Here’ banner program is a perfect example of vendors, reps and dealers working together to connect with consumers.

For more see voxxelectronics.com.

SENOIA, GA (03.23.26) – The adrenaline-packed action with the thunderous roar of Flat Track motorcycle racing returned to Senoia Raceway in Senoia GA on Saturday, March 21. This was Round 3 of the 2026 Progressive Flat Track Championship for the nation’s top riders go for glory on the legendary clay oval.

Whole families enjoyed a full day of thrills and entertainment featuring live music, Kid zone, giant video screens for unbeatable views, vendor midway plus a wide variety of food and beverage options. KICKER was Livin’Loud trackside, and through announcers spotlighting KICKER products through the event.

Lorin Morrell, Maddog Media, was trackside with a large KICKER display area near the front entrance. Morrell stated “Action in the booth was very strong throughout the day. In the local area there are many bikers and the season is ramping up as KICKER is providing more products for bikes than ever. Also in the rural area there are so many truck on the road and KICKER has a wide variety of products for trucks…Marine too with lakes in the area. The stands were very close to being sold out plus the demographic of attendees was a perfect opportunity for experiencing KICKER’s wide variety of products.”

The next Flat Track event is the Ventura Short Track in Venture CA Saturday April 25th.

For more see kicker.com.

HOUMA LA (03.21.26) Dereck Duane Tircuit, known and loved by many simply as “D,” passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at his home in Prairieville, Louisiana, at the age of 51. He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on March 21, 1974. He was preceded in death by his father, Albert N. Tircuit; his maternal grandparents, Eugene Roe Sr. and Vera Hunt Roe; his paternal grandparents, Leonard “Boots” Tircuit and Genevieve Grass Tircuit; his aunt, Jenny Tircuit David; his uncle, Leonard G. Tircuit; his cousins, Travis and Kristie David; and his beloved fur babies, Kramer G., Gabby, and Deuce.

He is survived by his loving mother, Maxine Roe Tircuit; his devoted brother, Kyle Tircuit, and wife Jodie; and his two adored nieces, Shelby and Lainey Tircuit, who brought him endless joy. He also leaves behind his cherished fur companion, Goose Tircuit.

Dereck earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing and Management from Southeastern Louisiana University on December 15, 2001. He started his lifelong career in the audio industry in 1990 after bugging Earl for almost two months and was well known and respected for his knowledge, skill, and integrity.

After gaining years of experience working at numerous audio shops, Dereck fulfilled his entrepreneurial dream by opening his own business, Tiger Audio, in Gonzales, Louisiana. He was an expert in his field and a man of honesty and principle, never selling anything he did not fully stand behind. If you ever rode with him, you might notice missing dashboard panels or dangling wires—he would quickly assure you he was testing the latest and greatest equipment. No worries!

Above all, Dereck loved making people laugh. He treasured time spent with his family, especially Sunday dinners at Mama’s, boiling crawfish during holidays, and playfully aggravating his beloved nieces just to hear their laughter. He was an avid Star Wars fan and proud collector.

He also treasured his Band of Brothers memorabilia honoring his grandfather, Eugene “Doc” Roe, who was portrayed as a main character in the series. Dereck cherished time on the water, never missing an opportunity to board a charter boat out of Port Fourchon with his buddies, enjoying the thrill of catching big fish, and the peaceful sunrises and sunsets.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026, beginning at 10:30 a.m., followed by a Memorial Service at 11:30 a.m. at Jefferson United Methodist Church, 10328 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70809. The service will be conducted by Reverend Mark Martin.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (03.20.26) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) is expanding the SEMA Show’s powersports presence by launching a dedicated Powersports / SxS / Lifestyle section at the upcoming Show, held November 3-6 in Las Vegas. This strategic expansion creates a unified home for the rapidly growing intersection of the automotive and powersports communities.

The initiative is a direct response to clear market demand and the evolving habits of the modern enthusiast. SEMA research confirms that the crossover between these worlds is seamless: the vast majority of enthusiasts do not limit themselves to a single vehicle type, often owning a combination of modified trucks, SUVs, and various recreational powersports vehicles.

“This expansion is a bold step forward in SEMA’s mission to serve the entire enthusiast ecosystem,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA Vice President of Events. “Powersports has always been an integral part of SEMA’s DNA, and we are now providing this community with the dedicated platform it deserves. By integrating powersports and related lifestyle products into our Show floor, we are creating a more powerful, unified resource for the aftermarket. This move celebrates the natural synergy between automotive and outdoor recreation, ensuring our members have the advocacy, resources, and product discovery platform they need to thrive in a modern, evolving market.”

A Dynamic Activation in the West Hall — The Powersports / SxS / Lifestyle section will be anchored in the West Hall, utilizing a layout designed for long-term growth. The location offers unique access to adjacent parking lots for dynamic outdoor activations and vehicle demonstrations.

The Show floor will undergo an evolution to group Trucks, Off-Road, and Powersports together, reflecting the “total package” approach enthusiasts take toward their adventure builds. The section will highlight a diverse range of categories, including:

• Motorcycles and Dirt Bikes
• Side-by-Sides
• Trailers and Tow Vehicles
• Related Adventure Lifestyle Gear and accessories

New and returning manufacturers are already showing excitement for the expanded section. “We’re proud to represent KYT Helmets at SEMA 2026,” said TJ Jira, Chief Executive Officer of KYT Americas. “We believe it’s an opportunity to elevate powersports and bring more visibility to our brand in the market.”

An Integrated Attendee Experience — For attendees, the new layout enhances business opportunities by placing complementary products in a single, high-energy destination.

“Attendees can expect an immersive and highly interactive experience that mirrors how they actually live and work,” said Andy Tompkins, SEMA Trade Show Director. “By grouping powersports and lifestyle gear alongside our world-class truck and off-road sections, we are providing an unmatched opportunity to see the latest in the adventure market.”

Market-Aligned Synergy — SEMA’s membership is already a powerhouse in the powersports sector. According to SEMA Research, 60% of specialty-equipment manufacturers already produce products for at least one type of powersports or recreational vehicle, while 47% of retailers and installers sell to these segments.

Beyond the Show floor, SEMA offers members tools to modernize their businesses, including data resources, technical services, and a powerful unified voice to protect the industry’s future. Through the acquisition of the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), SEMA has strengthened its presence in Washington, D.C., and Sacramento, Calif., to fight for land-use protection and motorized recreation access — issues that are critical to the survival of the powersports industry.

The new section allows the entire ecosystem to gather, learn about the latest products, take part in cutting-edge education to grow businesses and careers, and unite to solve opportunities and challenges facing the powersports marketplace.

Important Deadlines:
Interested exhibitors can learn more and reserve a booth at www.semashow.com/powersports, or by contacting Mike Ausec, Industry Sales Director, Powersports / Lifestyle at mikea@sema.org or 714-213-1584.

Attendee and buyer registration opens on May 4; to sign up for notifications, visit here.

For more information, visit www.semashow.com.

SHREVEPORT, LA (03.16.26) – On Friday morning, March 13th, the Wheel rolled for the 360th.. and last time. The very first spin was on Friday, December 7, 2018 and with a 360th spin the complete circle was finished.

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. Spinning out a winner each Friday, a lucky 12volt retailer could win a cool prize and top brands received visibility across the marketplace. James Halter, Stereo and Video Center in Tyler TX, was a winner of the first 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel and he received a CRUX prize package. The 360th spin was orchestrated to be won by Stereo and Video Center and a RDV or cash prize will be headed that way.

Over the course of the 12volt Volt Spin-To-Win Wheel we have had a group of 12volt industry partners and friends that have been very supportive and saw the value of creating positives across the 12volt industry. We certainly thank them for their support and enthusiasm. Current brands on the wheel included KICKER, RDV, PowerBass CRUX, JBL, ESB Audio, King Boxes, Massive Audio, Q Power and VIPER. 12volt and 12voltBeat $100. cash prizes along with a custom QR Code have also been on the wheel as prizes.

As all know over the last six years, there have been a lot of changes in the marketplace. The 12volt Central Studios now plans to reward proactive12volt retailers, that share images of their store, to spotlight the In-Store Experience. In today’s digital AI driven digital marketplace it’s more important than ever for proactive retailers to work to get consumers into their stores to drive business. The transition to highlighting the In-Store experience will take place immediately.

Dealers utilizing the 12voltSTP Tool to send their image images will be added to a list and a winner will be selected for a $100. cash prize. A custom QR Code for their store’s website and a feature article showcasing their store will also be included. With their smartphone a dealer can Snap and Txt images to 318 469 2526 with a few words and Presto staff can get the ball rolling.

The 12volt Central Studio staff will continue to showcase positives across the 12volt industry as they have for over 30 years.