STURGIS, SD (08.06.26) – The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has grown a lot since it started in 1938. In addition to racing and hill climbing events, the Black Hills offer the best scenic rides for iconic destinations such as Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Mountain and Devils Tower. If you want to get off the road, there are scores of Wild West and early Black Hills history museums and so much more.
Soon, downtown Sturgis will look like this.
Setup by 12volt exhibitors has been underway for a number of days with many displays larger than ever before. The motorcycle category has experienced rapid growth over the last several years and shows no sign of slowing down.
KICKER began to set up and debut the XRV on Tuesday.
KENWOOD and Audio Edge will once again be working Sturgis together.
The 12volt Central staff looks forward to spotlighting the activities of industry members in Sturgis. The 12voltSTP tool makes it so easy with a smartphone. Snap and Txt an image, with a few words, to 318 469 2526. PRESTO…you could be in the news and 12volt 6-Pack.
The 12volt Central Studios will spotlight activities in Sturgis with posts in the 12volt 6-Pack!
Sturgis.com is the place to find everything and anything for that 86th Sturges rally. Dining, lodging, rides, shopping, camping, concerts, bike shows, races, bikini contest, tattoo contest and hundreds of Sturges events and helpful tips on what to do, what to see, how to pack and much more are on the website.
LIBERTYVILLE, IL (08.05.26) – Experience motorcycle audio like never before through MB Quart. Harley-Davidson Tuned speaker systems deliver more volume to the open road. The HC1-116DT 6.5-inch and HC1-57DT 5×7-inch systems are built tough and tuned harder for every ride.
Innovated with WideSphere™ Tweeter Technology for razor-sharp highs, feather-light fiber cones for responsive mids, and cutting-edge Neodymium magnets that drive deep, ground-shaking bass — these 3-way coaxial speaker systems redefine what LOUD SOUND means on two wheels.
HOUSTON, TX (08.04.26) – Monday morning at 1 AM, August 3rd, Alex Restrepo and the House of Sound team of 4 rolled into Houston from the Nashville SLINGFEST 2026. House of Sound has been driving Slingshot Experiences in Houston for several years. Team members returning with Alex are Edwin Watson, Eber Flores and Walter Tobar.
Many Slingshot enthusiast want to go all the way with their upgrades!
The SLINGFEST NASHVILLE 2026 was hosted by Sloan’s Motorcycle-ATV at the Nashville Fairgrounds July 30-August 2nd.
“We landed in Houston at 1AM after the 780 mile trip. After a few hours of sleep we unpacked the tents, inventory and Slingshot specific installation products from the trailer. We definitely made Slingshots shine and sound great with audio systems, custom LED lighting and accents with custom pods and customization with amps along with DSP tuning on site for their Slingshots. We displayed and sold a lot Nemesis, DS18 and DB Drive products and our Limelight” Restrepo related.
E-bikes were also in the booth for sale.
When SLINGFEST 2026 wrapped on Sunday Slingingshot enthusiasts rolled down Broadway in Nashville.
All told, there and back, the House of Sound crew spent over a day on the highway.
“More and more Slingshot enthusiasts are upgrading their rides with aftermarket upgrades and we are looking for a great year as we drive business with our Slingshot experiences. We look forward to the SLINGFEST in Nashville in 2027” Restrepo concluded.
TIGARD/CLACKAMAS, OR (08.03.26) – CarToys TiGARD hosted an IASCA SQ event on Saturday and Clackamas hosted a SPL event the following day on Sunday July 26th. At both events competitors and crowd members were excited that competitive car audio had returned to Oregon.
Competitors fill the parking area in Tigard.
Competitor drawings were included with registration, show vehicle demos were on site, raffle prize awards were available, there were demos after qualifying runs and spectators were welcomed. The Car Toys has 5 locations across Oregon that are driving 12volt business.
Kam Frisbee on site with the Falcón Memphis Audio Hummer.
Jorge Fornos spotlights the Falcon SQ Alpine WRX.
Falcon Sales is a strong business partner with Car Toys Oregon and was on site spotlighting Alpine and Memphis Audio with demo vehicles along with Jorge Fornos and Kam Frisbee. Fornos attended both events with the Falcon SQ Alpine WRX. Frisbee attended the Sunday SPL show with Falcon’s Memphis Hummer. “It was a great weekend working with Car Toys and supporting the IASCA events to spotlight car audio competitions” Frisbee related.
David Sabrowski, Technical Director Car Toys Oregon, commented “We are very happy with the turnout at both the events and support from Falcon Sales.
STOCKTON, CA (07.30.26) – A rep firm website that works like a dealer tool, not a brochure
Reliable Product Marketing (RPM), the manufacturers’ rep firm covering Northern California and Northern Nevada, has launched a fully rebuilt norcalrep.com. The site moves well beyond the standard rep firm line card, packing interactive system configurators, DSP education tools, and dealer sales resources into a single destination built around one goal: taking dealers to the next level of profitability with information and tools.
What dealers will find
The site is organized around how a retail store actually works. Sales staff get configurators and product knowledge they can use mid-conversation with a customer. Installers get technical tools covering time alignment, crossover behavior, and OEM integration signal analysis. Owners get stocking guidance, margin-focused programs, and the documentation that makes carrying a new line less of a leap.
On the site at a glance
System Configurators. Guided build tools that walk a salesperson or installer through amplifier, DSP, and speaker pairings across the RPM brand portfolio, producing a coherent system spec instead of a parts list.
DSP and tuning education. Interactive tools covering time alignment, crossover modeling, and OEM signal analysis, built so a dealer can learn the concept and apply it on the bench the same day.
Learn RPM. Technical reference material, white papers, and product training that go deeper than a spec sheet, written for the counter and the install bay.
Dealer Tools. Sales support resources, margin-minded stock programs, and dealer-facing documents designed to shorten the path from customer conversation to closed ticket.
Brand coverage. Focal, ARC Audio, Gladen, Mosconi, Musway, Wet Sounds, Compustar, Momento, iDatalink Maestro, mObridge, Lucas, and Drone, all under one roof for Northern California and Northern Nevada.
Why we built it
RPM’s position is that a rep firm should make markets with its dealers, not just call on them. With roughly 30 years in the 12-volt industry, including years behind the counter and in the install bay as a retailer, principal Scott Baughman built norcalrep.com to put rep-level product knowledge in dealer hands around the clock, not just when the rep is in the store.
“A line card tells a dealer what we carry. This site shows them how to sell it, how to install it, and how to make money with it. That is the job.” – Scott Baughman, Reliable Product Marketing
The full set of configurators, dealer tools, and training resources is available now at www.norcalrep.com.
HOUSTON, TX (07.29.26) – Tuesday, July 28th, Alex Restrepo and the House of Sound team of 4 rolled out of Houston on the way to Nashville to extend the company’s Slingshot Experiences. House of Sound has been driving Slingshot Experiences in Houston for several years and recently have taken their activities on the road… most recently in Maggie‘s Valley North Carolina and the Fairgrounds in Toledo OH. Team members with Alex are Edwin Watson, Eber Flores and Walter Tobar.
The House of Sound crew heading to Nashville.
This stop will be at the SLINGFEST NASHVILLE 2026 hosted by Sloan’s Motorcycle-ATV at the Nashville Fairgrounds July 30 -August 2nd. Reflecting from behind the wheel on the 780 mile 2-Day drive Alex related “We packed the trailer with tents, inventory and Slingshot specific installation products for installations on site. Once we get there we will set everything up and be ready for Thursday. We will be ready to make Slingshots shine and sound great. Slingshot enthusiasts will arrive and we will discuss the upgrades that they would like to do to their Slingshots with audio systems, custom LED lighting and accents, custom pods and customization with amps along with DSP tuning on site for their Slingshots.”
Rudy rolled out gear from the warehouse to load on the trailer on Tuesday.
The trailer is packed with accessories for installations.
On Thursday through Sunday Slingshot enthusiasts will continue to check out activities and have the House of Sound crew make installations on their Polaris Slingshots. The crew will pack the trailer early on Monday and start the 780 miles back to Houston. All told, rhere and back, the House of Sound crew will spend almost a day and a half on the highway.
“More and more Slingshot enthusiasts are upgrading their rides with aftermarket upgrades and we are looking for a great year as we drive business with our Slingshot experiences” Restrepo concluded.
SANFORD, ME (07.28.26) – “This year’s Show N’ Shine was the sixth at our new location and the weather was terrific….72 and clear. We were packed and had 225 cars registered….up from 160. We had to open an hour to let everyone in. It seemed almost every square foot of our property was filled with Show N’ Shine cars and activities. Vehicles and tents even lined the ground along Highway 4 in both directions” owner Jack Bogard related.
Alongside of the building, enthusiast stretched for almost a football field.
A portion of the crowd out front at Sanford Sound.
Out front, Christine and Jack are flanked by vendor members at the event. (L/R) Ben Rodnick from Alpine, Chad Boone from Memphis, Christine, Jack, Matt Herald from KENWOOD and Jacob Gromovsky from SONY.
Continuing “Saturday the Sanford Sound Team spent the day getting everything ready for the Show N’ Shine. On site we had Jacob from SONY, Chad from Memphis, Ben from Alpine and Rockford plus Matt from Kenwood. Local business owners said they had never seen Route 4 so busy on Sunday” Bogard offered.
“Nearly 20 area businesses were on site showing their products that 12volt enthusiasts could utilize. Vehicle restoration, lift modifications, stickers and more were offered. Food trucks were on site. We also had several clubs attend the Show N’ Shine in big numbers. Plus we had a number of cars with out of state license plates… including Connecticut, Vermont, New York and Rhode Island” Bogard added.
Memphis Audio had a big booth set up out front.
Local vendors were set up to show their products to enthusiasts.
Jack and his wife Christine(center) are pictured with daughters Ashley and Alissa
Bogard concluded “A really big thing for us at a Sanford Sound Show N’ Shine event is seeing all the happy, smiling faces. Members of the crowd were showing their rides and checking out other’s rides.The level of customization of the vehicles in the show this year was amazing. Long term this will lead to residual business for us at Sanford Sound. A huge shout out to all, especially family and staff who participated in, and contributed to, the very successful 30th Annual Sanford Sound Show N’ Shine. Sanford Sound Team members on site included Jason, Adam, Bill, Justin, Connor, Cullen, Steve, Indigo, Jesse, Alissa, Nakia, Stefanie andTonya along with Christine and myself.”
The Sanford Sound crew wrapped the day with delicious with a delicious dinner catered by Beckers Barbecue. Beckers Barbecue food truck was also on site during the day.
The Stanford Sound events are terrific for early enthusiast.
Sanford, ME is a town of just over 20,000. Sanford Sound is a responsible business member of the community and hires local police to be on site to help with the increased traffic for the event which packed Route 4 on Sunday afternoon.
MODESTO, CA (07.27.26) – A Look Back 2 Years Ago As Car Audio Depot Spotlighted The Ultimate The In-Store Experience.
The Car Audio Depot is a family owned business located in the heart of Modesto CA. For 26 years the Randy Leibenson family and the 10 Member team have served the community and surrounding area with top level mobile electronics products and knowledge along with the best customer service. Jorge Deras is the store manager.
In this digital driven cyber world it is more important than ever to drive store traffic into brick and mortar retail stores. The Car Audio Depot takes the in-store experience from the outside to the inside as they connect with consumers. From the street the store stands out beginning with a large monitor mounted under the eaves on the corner of the building. A large painted company logo is also presented on the outside of the building.
The Car Audio Depot branding stands out brightly under the sunny Modesto sky.
“On the large outside monitor we spotlight brands like ARC Audio along with store events such as Black Friday sales and car shows. As a company all team members contribute our everyday activities to drive sales and in-vehicle enjoyment for our customers,” Liebenson stated.
Sparkling floors lead customers into the center of the 4000 sq ft showroom.
These two images show the wide selection of products plus the detailing of branding inset into the showroom floor.
The entrance to the store is very well identified in the parking lot marked with convenient parking lines. All of the above guides consumers into the best part of The Car Audio Depot….the amazing showroom. Very well positioned displays showcase the wide selection of mobile electronics products, marine audio, OEM integration, lighting, security and accessories. A large installation area provides ample room for all vehicles and the company’s strong marine category.
Check out the selection of images below from around The Car Audio Depot. Many say an image is worth 1000 words.
Completed customer project vehicles are showcase outside and in multi-panel social media posts interior upgrades are also spotlighted for social media followers to experience.
The marine category is strong at The Car Audio Depot and multi-panel social media post are made spotlighting the marine category projects also.
All 12volt retailers have digital options to create a network of social media followers to drive store traffic for the in-store experience. Proactive 12volt retailers utilize those digital social media platforms which turns into profitable business. The Car Audio Depot definitely utilizes these digital marketing tools with regularity to showcase new product and company activities.
A large 12volt Central Studios HATS Off to The Car Audio Depot as they work to drive in-store traffic and sales.
HATTIESBURG, MS (07.25.26) – N&H Electronics works closely with their dealers in the Mississippi territory and along the Gulf Coast. Recently, Ricky Gibson and team members Scott Rogers and Mark Sealey have put together a way to help their dealers connect with consumers.
Eric Hightower with a big thumbs up and smile in his company’s custom graphic to post on social media.
The N&H team is working with the 12volt Central Studios and developing graphics that their dealers can utilize on social media posts. The graphic shows the specific retailer with a big thumbs up showcasing consumers enjoying the concert in the car. The N&H team can snap an image of a dealer picking up an order in their Hattiesburg location or traveling on the road. After getting the dealer’s image the 12volt Center Studio staff will create the social media graphic, get it approved by the dealer and send the finished graphic to the dealer to make the post on their social media.
The first example is Wizard Electronics in Summit MS. Erik Hightower provided a big thumbs up image. Happy customers in the background were added.. Shortly after receiving the Wizard Electronic graphics Eric started seeing likes on his Facebook social media page.
An added plus with this program is the dealer and N&H can select one of their brands that the dealer stocks for additional exposure… In this case Kicker.
Stay tuned for more as N&H Electronics will continue working with their dealers to create ‘concert in your car’ excitement and drive store traffic.
Contact your N&H Electronics team member for more.
AUSTIN, TX (07. 24.26) – During the latter part of last week 12 GROUND ZERO team members gathered in Austin for a HKI BootCamp and to participate in competition activities at the 2026 Texas Heatwave.
Tommy Spears, Director of Sales related “We started off the HKI Bootcamp with a team building tasting of a German drink then Nick Wingate got down with business in our trainings. We had everything from demo sessions, to what to expect in the future for Car Audio, to Sales tips, to a very engaging Q&A session. Then we honored Jason Phillips and Rick Booth with their 10 Years of being with HKI USA Plaques.”
The HKI Bootcamp training started with a team building tasting of a German drink.
Tommy Spears, Boomer Robinson Diogo Iannaccone and Jason Billups (LtoR) with HKI 10 Year Plaques. Jason Billups on the right is holding his plaque while Boomer Robinson holds Rick Booth’s Plaque which will be sent to Florida.
Concluding “The biggest takeaway, apart from all of the knowledge, was the coming together and strengthening of our team. We finished off the time in Austin by introducing the team to the Texas Heatwave for the last two days.”
Jason Billups, JB Associates, related “The training session Nick presented will let me bring back not info only on product but how to demo and help dealers demo to sell the good stuff.”
HKI Bootcamp Certificates are in-hand for those completing the Nick Wingate training session.
Following each day it was time for a delicious dinner.
On his flight back to North Carolina Boomer Robinson, a 30 year industry member, wrote a 3000 word email to the 12volt Central Studios reflecting on the HKI Bootcamp. “Dealers must stop competing on price and start competing on expertise and craftsmanship. The future of our industry isn’t about finding a brand new customer but reconnecting with the customer who never stopped loving great sound.”
The benefits from the HKI Bootcamp will continue for months for attendees. The Texas Heatwave was another benefit for GROUND ZERO staff. Coverage of the Texas Heatwave activities was the feature on 12voltnews.com on Wednesday July 22nd.
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