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Big Papas Car Audio Wins 12voltBeat Prize on The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel 225

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SHREVEPORT LA (06.24.23)  WTF…Win This Friday. Big Papas Car Audio won the 12voltBeat prize on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel 225 on Friday morning, June 23rd.

It was terrific to get back into the 12volt Central Studios again and beginning to roll the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel after the 2 months pause following the fall on Monday morning April 3rd.

The 12volt Spin-to-Win Wheel was created to bring an element of fun to the 12volt industry. The weekly 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel is now spinning in Year 5.

Click to view.

The 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel rolled for 225th time on Friday morning June 23rd. The Wheel landed on the 12voltBeat space and the Big Papas Car Audio slip was drawn from the jar. An Instagram post of the winning slip was posted. A video of the wheel spin was also posted.

We reached out to the lucky retailer in Cincinnati OH and spoke with Greg Melton. He was very happy to hear the news and looks forward to receiving the $100. check prize. Greg said business is rockin’ at his store. He also remembered receiving the 12volt News as the printed newspaper. 

Spinning out a winner each Friday, a lucky 12volt retailer can win a cool prize and top brands receive visibility across the marketplace.

12volt brands with a space on the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel include Kicker, NavAtlas, SiriusXM, PowerBass, CRUX, JBL, AlloyGator, Kenwood, JVC, SD Lighting, Nakamichi, Alphasonik, Race Sport Lighting and Maximum Power. 12volt News $100. cash awards have spaces on the 12volt Spin-To-Wheel for the winning 12volt retailer.

Past winners of the 12volt Spin-To-Win include…Stereo & Video Center-Tyler TX, The Outlaw Garage-Franklin TN, Exotic Sounds-West Palm Beach FL, Endless Possibilities-Aurora IL., Go Auto Sound in Union City NJ, Al&Ed’s South Bay CA, No Limitz Car Audio in Upland CA, Neil’s Specialty-Eureka CA, Sturgess Customs-Lexington SC, Audio By Art-San Antonio TX, SMS Car Audio in Marreo LA and Sweet Wheelz in Mississauga Ontario Canada, Cartronics in Biscayne FL, The CarAudio Shop in St Louis MO, Exotic Sounds in West Palm Beach FL, High North Customs in Grand Prairie Alberta Canada and AMS Audio in Bakersfield CA, Team QRT in Abbeyville LA and California Sound in Fontana CA and Jackie Cooper Electronics, Oklahoma City OK, MARS Audio-Orlando FL, All American Audio in Nutley NJ, Proline Car Stereo in Brooklyn NY, Custom Shop Miami, Tunes and Tint in Lakeland FL, Mobile Concepts Inc in Mokena IL, Seismic Auto Sound in Concord CA, Brooklyn Car Audio in Brooklyn NY, Audio Solutions in Florence MS, Enhanced Customs in Largo FL, Rayco Auto Clinic, Audio Design in San Jose CA, Go Bass Mode in Florida, Avenue Sound in Freeport NY, Audio Plus in Riverview FL, Stereo Zone in Whittier CA, In-Phase Car Audio in Omaha NE, AutoLife Group, N&H Electronics, SK Customs, Land & Sea, The Audio One, NC Custom Shop,Tint World Orlando, Ricky Smith’s Audio, VIP Custom Woks, Mobile Audio Concepts, Audio Lad, Sound Sensations, Dave’s Stereo, Stereo Design, Badlands Customs, Custom Audio-Erie PA, Voltz Autosports-Bridgeport CT, Infinity Sound and Security-Kissimmee, Autosport Plus-Canton OH, Stereo City Pros in Carmichael CA, Devine Concepts in Naples FL, The Sound Shop in Indian Trail NC, Extreme Performance Audio in Fresno CA, Audio Depot in Arlington TX, Audio Security in Houston TX, Earmark Car Audio and Marine in Lewisville TX, Audio Jam in Bear DE, Stereo City Ontario, Ontario CA, Audio By Art, San Antonio TX, Code Zero Customs in Tulsa OK, Ken’s Car Tunes in Mobile AL, Soundz Plus in Naperville IL, Markland Designs in Lithonia GA, Electronics Plus in Salinas CA, Xtreme Autosports in Santa Clarita CA, Superior Audio Sounds in San Angelo TX, Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Texas Dreamz Customs in Spring TX, Wired Electronics in Linden NJ and Intense Car Audio in OKC, OK, Underground Auto in Sarasota FL, Car Toys Tulsa in Tulsa OK,  Real Audio in Erie PA, Go Autosound in Union NJ, DFM Stereo in Ukiah CA, Impact Tint and Audio in Tyler TX, Mobile Sound Systems in Arlington TX, Redline Audio and Performance In Spindale NC, Car Audio Land in San Diego CA, Audio X Custom Car Audio in Florence AL, River Oaks Car Stereo in Houston TX, American Radio Orlando in Sanford FL, Illustrious Customs in Woodbridge VA, Remote Start Pros in Lawrence MA, HiPro Audio in Victoria TX, AudioPlanetNY in Huntington Station NY, Endless Possibilities in Aurora IL, Audio Finesse in Santa Monica, Drive Customs in San Luis Obispo CA, Custom Works, Noblesville IN, AtoZ Detail in West Haven CT, Cars 843 in Charleston SC, CarTunes Atlanta in Atlanta GA, Mobile Concepts in Garwood NJ, Duke’s Car Stereo in Flint MI, Infinity Auto Sound, King Car Audio in Norwalk CT, PopTronics in Baltimore MD, Sanford Sound in Sanford ME,  Angelvip2474 in Draper UT, Dynamic Car Audio in Baltimore MD, Hi-Pro Audio in Victoria TX, Car Stereo Max in Houston, Pro Audio Center in Richland MS, Rhodes Off-Roads in Farmington MO, Model Electronics in Ramsey NJ, Class A Sounds in Athens OH. Just Audio Video in North Providence RI, CT_Custom in Philadelphia, Audio Solutions in Florence MS and The Audio Shop RC in Rapid City SD, DG Motorsportz in High Point NC, ST Mobile in Texarkana TX, AR Custom OC in Orange CA, Temecula Mobile Sound in Temecula CA,  Unique Auto Sound in Lindenhurst NY, D’s Garage in Corona CA and DS2 Mobile Solutionz in Tomball TX, C G Car Audio in Kissimmee FL, California Audio in West Valley City UT and The Action Audio Store in Wethersfield CT, Eclipse Car Audio in Vancouver WA, Electronics Depot Car Audio in Altamonte Springs FL. Car Audio Garage in Pearland TX, Pinnacle Autosound in Lake City FL, J H Audio in Bowling Green VA, The Car Audio Shop StL in High Ridge MO, Anthonys Car Stereo in North Highlands CA, Flynn Audio in Middleton WI, Living Loud Car Audio in Pelham AL, Trail Star Audio in Minnesota, On The Spot Audio in Pennsauken NJ, Animated Car Audio in Essex MD, West Coast Car Audio in Citrus Heights CA, Modified Auto Sound in East Alton IL, Star Car Audio in Hermiston OR, VapeNAudio in Clovis CA, SoundWorks in Millersville MD Eclipse Car Audio in Vancouver WA, J A Custom Audio in Houston TX Jose Electronics in North Hills CA,  Sound Proof Car Stereo in Douglasville GA, Auto Additions in Springfield IL, Elite Car Audio in Hollywood CA, Masters Car Stereo in Greenville SC, Audio Plus in Eden NC, Seismic AutoSound in Novato CA, Car Audio Addicts in Pittsburgh PA and AudioKing Tinting in Yakima WA, Arias Tint and Alarms in Duncanville TX, Odeh Car Audio in Gadsden AL, 12volt Specialist in Newark DE, Cutting Edge Audio in San Diego CA, Southern Auto Fab in Lafayette LA, California Sound in Fontana CA, Big Boyz Toyz in Florence SC, 740 Audio in Athens OH and 12volt Outfitters in Hollywood FL., High Quality Auto Sound, Lawrence MA, Custom Car Stereo SC in Spartanburg SC, Zier Box in Dallas TX, Maximum in Manville NJ, Audio Car Stereo in Miami FL, Mach 1 Audio in Washington MO, Doren Car Stereo in Queens Village NY, Side-x-Side Audio in South Charleston WV, Sound Concept in Nanuet NY, Pda Road Gear in Littleton CO and A-Plus Audio and Tinting  Newington CT, Audio Electronics in Indianapolis IN, Tint and Sound in Frederick MD, Tint World Wilmington DE, VIP Autoworks in Mentor OH, All Out Audio in Killeen TX, Yong’s Audio in Indianapolis IN, Custom Audio Concepts in Lima OH, Clear Vibrations in Quakertown PA, The Outlaw Garage in Columbia TN, Xpert Car Audio in Layton UT, No Doubt Window Tint in Ardmore OK, San Diego Car Stereo in San Diego CA, Smart Audio in Lawrence MA, Car Audio One in Chula Vista CA, Audio Excellence in Orlando FL, Ultimate Sounds 1 in Wilmington NC, King Kong Custom Audio in Albuquerque NM. Manny’s Customs in Stockton CA, OD Car Audio in Pasco WA, Car Tunes on Line in Largo FL, INOV8 Audio in Houston TX, Kartel Mobile Electronics in Waterbury CT, Pro Auto Sound in Hialeah FL Mobile AVC in Brunswick ME, Fabulous Auto Alarms in Passaic NJ, Jimmy_Sound_System in Lawrence MA, American Audio Concepts in Houston TX and Arias Tint and Alarm in Duncanville TX.

Congratulations to all.

WTF… Where’s the Fun……On the next spin of the 12volt Spin-To-Win Wheel… on Friday, June 30th.

Custom Audio Hosted The 7th Annual Anna Shelter Car Show

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ERIE, PA (06.23.23) – The area in front of the Custom Audio location in the West Ridge Plaza was filled with over 100 cars on Sunday June 18th, Father’s Day, to benefit The Anna Shelter mission.

“Cars started showing up early for a place on the plaza and we soon had our max of 100 car, trucks and vans for the event to further the Anna Shelter mission” Sondralee Orengia offered.

The Anna Shelter animal welfare organization in Erie PA was established in June of 2004. The organization helps dogs, cats, small animals… even horses, one animal at a time. During the Sunday event there were gift baskets, raffles and 50/50 opportunities on site plus dash plaques for the 100 show cars.

Continuing “The event on Father’s Day was so special. Unlike last year, the weather was terrific and so many families came to see the wide selection of amazing vehicles at the event and spend the afternoon together. The UnderDog food truck, which is on a modified fire engine, served delicious food and shared a percentage of their proceeds with the Anna Shelter” Orengia related.

On Sunday Custom Audio’s showroom was open and staff members engaged with enthusiasts about the wide variety of 12volt and automotive aftermarket 12volt products available at Custom Audio.

“We were very busy every day during the week following the Car Show. Putting the Custom Audio brand in front of consumers and enthusiasts continues to drive business. We certainly look forward to next year’s event” Orengia concluded.

Sondralee Orengia during the event being interviewed by local media.

Custom Audio, The Anna Shelter and UnderDog food truck are all woman driven businesses in Erie.

As an added bonus local media broadcast news covering the Sunday evening.

Visit customaudioshop.net for more.

Site On Sound Alpine Experience in Fargo, ND Drives In-Store Traffic And Sales

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FARGO, ND (06.22.23) – The Alpine Experience on Wednesday June 14th at Site On Sound was very special as the company is celebrating 40 years in business. For the event three remotes also took place on site with local radio stations.

Chris Reavis did demo after demo in the Apline RAM during the day.

Butch Boisjulie, Site on Sound owner, offered “No doubt we had a lot going on with the Alpine RAM and tent out front along with the pickups from the radio stations. We definitely thank Alpine for their support. It was a great day!”

Butch Boisjulie by the Alpine display in the Site On Sound showroom.

Chris Reavis, behind the RAM wheel related “We did demo after demo letting attendees experience HiRes audio in the passenger seat. After demos several attendees asked to me to come listen to their rides and give sussestions which I gladly did between demos. During the day, time was also spend training staff members on the OPTIM8 Automatic Sound Tuning Processor.”

Two of the three radio remote trucks pictured out front of Site on Sound.

As part of the day’s action burgers and brats were prepared on the grill and nearly 150 were enjoyed by attendees.

Chris Reavis pulled the Alpine RAM onto the Site On Sound lot early Wednesday morning June 14th.

Concluding Boisjulie stated “Being in business for 40 years we have worked with many families. A grandfather came with his grandson’s car and handed me the keys and just said…..’put in a system for my grandson’. Having built those relationships are terrific and probably one reason we are booked out for a month in the install bay.”

Visit alpine-usa.com for more.

Elite Distributor Alliance Hosted Annual Owners Meeting in Denver

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DENVER, CO (06.21.23) – Elite Distributor Alliance (EDA), a leading provider of distribution services to the 12 volt aftermarket, held its annual owners meeting at the Grand Hyatt in Denver, Colorado the week of June 5th.

L to R: Antonio Ghirardelli, Santa Fe Distributing; Louis Gil-Levert, ADS; Robert Di Cesare, ADS

The meeting was attended by 50 industry leaders, including principals from EDA’s member companies. During the meeting, principals met in one-hour top-to-top one-on-ones to discuss business strategies and opportunities. In addition, there were four roundtable discussions on industry issues, such as attracting youth to the industry and exploring technology changes in the industry.

Dave Prinz, President, GoFast Solutions with Josh Eatherly, Vice President, EDA

In addition to the business meetings, the owners also enjoyed a number of social events, including a dinner event at the Fort Restaurant in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Attendees also enjoyed a dinner and reception at the Denver Aquarium, where EDA presented its 2022 Vendor of the Year Award to JVCKENWOOD.

JVCKENWOOD, Vendor of the Year, revealed at Denver Aquarium

“The annual owners meeting is a great opportunity for us to come together as a community and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing our industry,” said Josh Eatherly, vice president of EDA. “I’m grateful to our members for their continued support, and I’m excited to see what we can accomplish together in the year ahead.”

Roundtable discussions

“The roundtable discussions were very informative and helpful,” said Jim Warren, executive vice president of EDA. “It was great to hear from other industry leaders about their experiences, recommendations and perspectives.”

“2022 was a challenging year,” said Aron Demers, EVP VOXX International. “This year’s owners meeting was a phenomenal opportunity to strategize face to face. We are committed to providing EDA and its members with the best possible products and services.”

Visit elitedistributoralliance.com for more.

JVCKENWOOD Named Vendor of the Year by Elite Distributor Alliance

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DENVER, CO (06.20.23) – The Elite Distributor Alliance (EDA) was delighted to award JVCKENWOOD the prestigious honor of Vendor of the Year. The award was presented at the EDA’s annual meeting, which was held at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Denver.

The Elite Distributor Alliance is a prominent association comprising top-tier distributors and manufacturers in the consumer electronics industry. This annual award recognizes the manufacturer that demonstrates outstanding performance, exceptional product quality, and a strong dedication to supporting distributor success.

L to R: Ron Trout, Steve Cote, Jim Warren, Dave Hoag, John Lucas, and Josh Eatherly

Jim Warren, Executive Vice President of the Elite Distributor Alliance, said, “JVCKENWOOD is a deserving recipient of the Vendor of the Year award. They have consistently demonstrated their commitment to providing their distributors with the support they need to be successful.

JVCKENWOOD’s commitment to excellence and continuous innovation has propelled the company to the forefront of the industry. With a diverse portfolio of cutting-edge audio, convenience, and safety solutions, JVCKENWOOD has consistently exceeded customer expectations and delivered exceptional value to its distribution partners.

“We are truly honored to receive this award, especially considering the excellence exhibited by all the EDA vendor partners that work tirelessly to build momentum within the group,” said Dave Hoag, Executive VP of JVCKENWOOD USA. “This recognition is a testament to our unwavering commitment to innovation, quality, and exceptional customer experiences. We extend our sincere gratitude to the Elite Distributor Alliance for their trust and recognition, and especially to our dedicated team and distribution partners for their continuous support.”

JVCKENWOOD remains dedicated to pushing boundaries, delivering superior products, and strengthening its partnerships with distributors. This Vendor of the Year award serves as a testament to JVCKENWOOD’s ongoing pursuit of excellence in the consumer electronics industry.

Visit us.jvckenwood.com and elitedistributoralliance.com for more.

KICKER Rewards Tomorrow’s 12-Volt Leaders at SkillsUSA Championships

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STILLWATER, OK (06.19.23) – As part of KICKER’s sponsorship of the event, KICKER Tech Force manager Aaron Malin and Tech Force trainer Jacob Luckey will judge the SkillsUSA Championships June 19-23, during SkillsUSA’s 59th annual National Leadership and Skills Conference in Atlanta.

The Mobile-Electronics Installation category tests competitors’ abilities to perform standard installation practices used by certified, professional mobile-electronics installers. These skills have been established through the certification objectives and items created for the Basic MECP certification by the Consumer Electronics Association.

“We hear from retailers on a regular basis that they cannot find qualified people to hire,” said Malin. “There are 107 different categories of competition within SkillsUSA, each category stresses various aspects of the real-world workplace; so when they graduate, they are positioned to enter a job and immediately contribute. The 12-volt industry needs more sharp-minded employees to bring new ideas to the table.”

The event includes a written examination covering the Basic MECP certification, a professional interview and five hands-on applications that include taking electrical measurements, installing consumer-electronics equipment, soldering, working with relay circuits and troubleshooting electronic circuitry.

KICKER is donating over $5,000 in prizes to the winners of the 12-volt competitions.

“I would like to encourage other 12-volt industry leaders and manufacturers to get involved with SkillsUSA at their local, state and national level,” Malin said. “As an industry, we need those young men and women to join us in the very exciting and quickly evolving industry.”

Visit kicker.com and SkillsUSA.org for more.

The SkillsUSA’s 59th Annual Leadership Conference Is Set for Atlanta, GA June 19-23

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Elena Johnson OSU Journalism contributed to this article

STILLWATER, OK (06.16.23) – SkillsUSA prepares students for the workforce and students in the Mobile Electronics Division will compete for recognition at the national competition in Atlanta. The conference will be held at the Georgia World Conferencee Center in Atlanta and attract over 6500 competitors in 110 competitions.

KICKER Audio is a strong supporter of the SkillsUSA initiative. Aaron Malin, TECH Force Global Training Manager, has participated in previous SkillsUSA National Conferences. Malin and Jacob Luckey are headed to Atlanta for the 2023 Skills USA Conference.

Aaron Malin working with one of the students at the local SkillsUSA local session in Stillwater. After the event the 4 winners were bussed to KICKER’s HQ for lunch and a tour.

In April, the local SkillsUSA Mobile Electronics Installation competition was held at the Meridian Technology Center in Stillwater OK, Malin was on site as students prepared to showcase their installation and communication skills to judges, and the stakes were high with only three winning spots available for the State high school and secondary/college level competition.

“Each student was prepared to perform to their best abilities for the judges. Some of the stations included soldering, wiring speakers and identifying components. Students were judged on their proficiency in those particular skills and only the top four were chosen to go to state competitions” Malin stated..

Jacob Luckey observes one of the students working on a speaker template.

The Oklahoma state SkillsUSA competition was held on April 25th at the Cox Convention Center in Tulsa. Kicker Global Trainer Jacob Luckey was in the house and presented some of the awards. “The experience was great. It was awesome to see the excitement on the faces and be able to see the students working toward their goals. The conference was well attended and put together” Luckey commented.

SkillsUSA works to bring motivated individuals to the workforce and teach them lifelong skills. There are local, state and national competitions with 53 states participating, according to SkillsUSA.org. Its mission is to empower its members to become world-class workers, leaders and responsible American citizens.

The four winning students in the KICKER HQ lobby during their tour.

The 12-volt industry is in need of more sharp-minded employees to bring new ideas to the table. The overall employment of mobile electronics installers and technicians is projected to show little to no change from 2021 to 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics years.

“We hear from retailers on a regular basis that they cannot find qualified people to hire,” related Malin. “Take out qualified… they can’t find people to hire.” Malin will again be one of the judges for the National SkillsUSA competition and has been judging for two years. Malin added that many of the students are put in a position where they can find a suitable job by participating in SkillsUSA national conference.

“There are 110 different categories of competition within SkillsUSA,” Malin said. “Each category stresses various aspects of the real-world workplace…so when students qualify for the national event they are positioned to enter the job market.”

Through SkillsUSA, students have the opportunity to learn valuable lessons and make lifelong friends. “It is always exciting when you see the ‘lightbulb’ moment as something really clicks in the mind of a student,” Malin said. “The ‘ah hah!’ that lets you know they really got it! Last year at the national competition in Atlanta, one young man was so excited to introduce me to his mom and siblings after we really connected during his job interview competition. He experienced my admiration and his family’s proud moment, all at the same time.”

This student showing his soldering skills to the judge.

The SkillsUSA State Conference in Tulsa was a chance for local champions to compete for a spot at Nationals and make new valuable connections. “The students that competed got to meet industry partners that are looking for skilled employees and got to make friends with the other competitors and had new experiences while at state” Emily Goff, State SkillsUSA Director, stated.

“Students not only receive valuable skills from these events, but also priceless communication skills. From difficult interviews, to speaking with industry professionals and presenting their skills they also learn difficult communication skills” stated Chris Jack, Technical Chairperson for mobile electronics installation, for SkillsUSA. “My father always said that “I don’t care if you’re going to wipe up dirt off the floor, wear a suit and tie to an interview…no matter what it’s for.”

SkillsUSA is a partnership of students, teachers and industry working together to ensure America has a skilled workforce, according to SkillsUSA.org. Students excel and often have the opportunity to secure jobs at competitions. “Almost every year, one of my winners has been offered a job before they left the contest,” Jack said.

Concluding Malin commented “The12volt industry needs workers more than ever, and SkillsUSA helps to ensure that they are proficient in their trade. I would like to encourage other 12-volt industry members and manufacturers to get involved with SkillsUSA at their local, state and national level. As an industry, we need those young men and women to join us in our very exciting and quickly evolving industry.”

For more information, visit SkillsUSA.org or contact Chris Jack who handles the 12volt portion of SkillsUSA. Email at cnjacklausd@aol.com.

Elena Johnson OSU Journalism contributed to this article

2023 SEMA Show to Feature Expanded Education Program

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DIAMOND BAR, CA (06.15.23) – As part of SEMA’s initiative to create a more robust career- and professional-development program year-round, the 2023 SEMA Show will feature a fully customizable hands-on education program that focuses on leadership and skill development, networking, exploration of emerging trends, and industry best practices. Attendees will be able to use this year’s program to jump-start and create a comprehensive year-long educational program.

“We want to support our attendees by offering a customizable learning journey for skill development and competency-based education inclusive of the Show and throughout the rest of the year,” said Pamela Brown-Matthis, SEMA Director of Education. “Our goal is to engage showgoers by creating high-energy learning situations throughout the Show environment and creating educational opportunities that are delivered in various formats, whether they be ‘fireside chats,’ workshops, Main Stage Experiences, or celebrity showcases.”

The 2023 SEMA Show will feature a fully customizable hands-on education program that attendees will be able to use to jump-start and create a comprehensive professional development experience throughout the year.

This year’s program will feature globally recognized speakers and industry leaders sharing their expertise with attendees. Also new for this year is an EV certification program from Legacy EV that offers hands-on training to automotive techs who want an up-skill understanding of EV anatomy, powertrains, and electrical theory. Attendees who complete the program will receive an EV101 certificate from Legacy EV.

“We have been very intentional about selecting our sessions and speakers this year,” explained Brown-Matthis. “All of our speakers are subject-matter experts and industry leaders who have the knowledge and ability to inspire change, and our sessions offer content that is relevant, meaningful and valuable for all our Show participants.”

Other SEMA Show Education Program highlights:

  • 99 sessions by subject matter experts, beginning Monday afternoon (October 30) to provide wider access to education
  • Six highly focused SEMA Education tracks: Inside the Shop; Aftermarket Updates and Future Trends; Small-Business Strategy; Sales and Marketing; Vehicle Technology and Electric Vehicles; and Legal and Regulatory
  • Women in Automotive Symposium, including a Micro Learning Lab Experience consisting of four professional-development workshops, keynotes, power networking luncheon and a C-Suite Insights panel
  • Dale Carnegie Leadership Essentials program, a six-part series by executive coaches from the world-renown Dale Carnegie Program that are designed to enhance leadership skills
  • Education sessions from partners Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR), Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), and the Tire Industry Association (TIA).
  • Access to most education programs are included as a benefit to registration. For more information about the SEMA Show, this year’s Education Program, or to register, visit www.semashow.com.

The 2023 SEMA Show, taking place October 31-November 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is the ultimate business gathering for the automotive specialty equipment industry. It is the place to discover new products and trends, make new business contacts, strengthen existing ones, and help professionals take their careers from good to great.

The 2023 Rumble And Roll Was Another Successful Event for Car Toys Tulsa

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TULSA, OK (06.14.23) – The 2023 Rumble and Roll, supporting the Make a Wish Foundation, was a huge success on Thursday, June 8th. Well over 2000 motorcycle enthusiasts rolled through the streets of Tulsa to gather in the Brookside area.

Bikers gathered outside Churchill’s after their Rumble and Roll ride through Tulsa.
The Brookside Center was filled with enthusiasts.

Charles Stewart, Car Toys Tulsa owner related, “We were an Event Sponsor and had a major presence in front of Churchill’s in the Brookside area of Tulsa which was the destination for the bikers. Bikers assembled at the University of Tulsa Reynolds Center and paraded down Peoria street. Through the years the Rumble and Roll event has raised nearly over $400,000 for the Oklahoma Make A Wish Foundation.”

In front of Churchill’s, Car Toys had a large tent set up with 2 bikes for demos plus a table spotlighting Rockford Fosgate products designed for bikes.

The streets were blocked off for the Rumble and Roll crowd.
Car Toys Tulsa staff members connected with bikers.

“Our bike business continues to grow. Putting the Car Toys Tulsa name, along with the Rockford Fosgate brand, in front of so many bikers during the 20th Annual Rumble and Roll was amazing. The 3 hours at the event was non-stop. We gave a ton of demos, sold products, provided quotes and set up installations. In the first days after the event we did several jobs in our bay at the store. The average ticket was right at $2K each” Stewart added.

Rockford Fosgate is a strong brand for bikes at Car Toys Tulsa and was featured at Rumble and Roll.
Bikers enjoyed time together at Churchill’s during the Rumble and Roll evening.

Concluding, Stewart stated, “There was a live band and so much energy at the event. Mark Adams, Chance Rotert and Chad Ball from the store were at the event with me and we talked with so many people. Today retailers need to get out and and connect with consumers and enthusiasts. We definitely did that at the Rumble and Roll. Even though Car Toys Tulsa has been in the Tulsa market for over 3 decades it’s amazing that people will say they didn’t know we worked on bikes, UTVs or boats. That’s another reason we like to work at off site consumer events. Can’t wait for Rumble and Roll 2024.”

Visit wish.org and cartoystulsa.com for more.

KICKER Returned to Slamology 2023 for 20th Anniversary in Indy

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN (06.13.23) – Now in its second decade of sponsorship, KICKER® returned and put its brand name with Slamology – one of the largest car audio events in the country. The 20-year show took place June 10-11 at Lucas Oil Raceway near Indianapolis. During the rain disrupted event the highly anticipated KICKER “Gates” Bronco was unveiled.

The KICKER Bronco honoring the Alma Gates ‘Beast’ drew many attendees to the booth.

The KICKER-built Bronco, which pays homage to Alma Gates’ “Beast” from 20 years ago, houses a 30,000-watt system with nine 12-inch KICKER SoloX subwoofers. KICKER’s booth area also featured four other extreme builds, including Andy Magill’s famed “Cookie Monster,” Slamology founder Donnie Babb’s magazine-worthy Mazda® truck, and the “Bone Shaker” rocket-powered big rig from Canada. The KICKER booth was located on the south side of the show in Audio Vendor Row, where full-tilt demo sessions regularly occurred.

Attendees checked out KICKER’s wide selection of products in the booth.
The action under the KICKER tent was busy throughout Slamology 2023.
The Main Stage was action central with bands, bikini contests and much more.

“It’s truly astounding that we’ve made it to our 20th annual event,” said Babb, president of GaugeMagazine.com and Slamology. Lucas Oil Raceway Park has proven to be the perfect venue for our continued expansion.”

In addition to Slamology’s well-earned reputation as a first-class car show, it is also grown to be a premiere car audio event on the planet, with more than 2,000 vehicles positioned on the Lucas Oil Raceway venue.

Hydraulics was spotlighted on many rides around the venue.
How low can you go is the question.
Extreme customized bikes were on display under many tents.

Simultaneously USACi, MECA, IASCA and Bass Wars conducted independent, multi-point car audio competitions, featuring hundreds of the world’s best Sound Quality and SPL competitors vying for much-desired championship points, trophies and prizes.

The Sunday afternoon rain definitely brought out the umbrellas.
The Sunday rain definitely dampened the BassWars Competiton.

Slamology anticipated attendance in excess of 20,000 spectators. The weather forecast and Sunday afternoon rain definitely impacted the 2023 overall attendance. The show also featured live, local bands on stage, along with a tattoo competition, auto-limbo, a hydraulic contest, big-rig show, bikini contest and more.

Visit slamology.com and kicker.com for more.