DIAMOND BAR, CA (05.19.26) – The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has opened nominations for its prestigious SEMA Industry Awards at www.sema.org/awards. The nomination deadline is Monday, Aug. 17.

The SEMA Industry Awards are among the Association’s highest honors, recognizing individuals and companies that have demonstrated excellence, innovation, and leadership in the automotive aftermarket over a year-long period. The program recognizes honorees in five different categories: Channel Partner of the Year, Content Creator of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year, Person of the Year, and the Visionary 8.

“The SEMA Industry Awards recognize the people and companies that have not only fueled the aftermarket’s growth but also strengthened it through their passion, ingenuity, and service,” said SEMA Manager of Recognition Programs Joe Escobar. “By spotlighting those who have left a lasting mark, we aim to inspire others to raise the bar.”

Nominations are open for:

• Channel Partner of the Year: Honors a sales channel partner for its outstanding service to the sales, distribution, retail, and/or e-commerce channel(s) of the industry. This includes maintaining proper inventories to service its respective channel and exceeding standards in providing suppliers with input and regular communication to help their products and programs succeed. 
• Content Creator of the Year: Honors a content creator for their outstanding contributions to the automotive culture and for creating a positive impact with automotive enthusiasts.
• Manufacturer of the Year: Honors a manufacturing company for its outstanding industry contributions and innovations.  
• Person of the Year: Honors an individual for their outstanding contributions to SEMA and the broader automotive specialty-equipment market.  
• Visionary 8: Honors eight emerging leaders aged 35 and under who are on track to drive innovation and positive change in the automotive aftermarket. This award showcases up-and-coming talent, honors their accomplishments, and introduces them to their community.

2026 SEMA Show to Celebrate the Industry’s Best
The 2026 SEMA Show, held Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas, will bring together automotive icons and next-gen disruptors to celebrate the past, present, and future of the aftermarket industry. The festivities shift into gear on Tuesday, Nov. 3, with the Kickoff Breakfast, where 15 products will be recognized with New Product Awards alongside top honors for Channel Partner of the Year and Manufacturer of the Year.

On Thursday, Nov. 5, the highly anticipated Visionary 8 and SEMA’s Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year winner will be announced live at SEMA Central. The momentum will continue during the SEMA Industry Honors, celebrated at the iconic Fontainebleau. This red-carpet-style gathering brings together the industry’s biggest names to spotlight standout achievements, including Content Creator of the Year and Person of the Year.

Entries for Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year – a SEMA Industry Award that recognizes exceptional quality of engineering on a vehicle build – will open in August. Learn more at www.sema.org/awards.

LITTLE ROCK, AR (05.18.26) – Derek Hayman with DH and Associates is based in Little Rock AR and has been on the road for the last five months. Really on the road driving sales in the territory with RAD Car Audio. The states covered in the territory include Arkansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Mississippi and Indiana.

Derek related “I see so many opportunities working directly with 12volt retailers. When I hit the road in the Yukon, I have samples in the vehicle and also show POP products and how to put a display together in retailer stores. When we meet in the store with retailers they really understand our mission and we are definitely making an impact in the territory and setting up new dealers. Derek’s wife also works on this mission and attends shows where RAD Car Audio booths are setup. “

Continuing “Last week, we were really making moves in Tennessee and Mississippi as we worked to strengthen the consumer market with all the RAD Car Audio and Fair-interamerican products. During the week, with 1200 miles on the road, we were also on site with several events that were put together with retailers and organizations that truly engaged enthusiast in the area along with spotlighting Rad Car Audio”

Stay tuned for more as Derek hits the road.

For more email derekhayman40@icloid.com

DALLAS, TX (05.15.26) – The SSR Distributors Dealer Show 2026 takes place on Sunday, May 17 from 11AM to 5PM. Attendees can enjoy terrific savings, raffles, delicious food, attend trainings and meet in person with vendors. This will be a Family Friendly day for all.

“This will be our 5th Show and it’s definitely shaping up to be our biggest one yet. Every year the event continues to grow. Returning customers come back, new customers join us, we see more demo vehicles, more manufacturer vehicles and stronger customer participation with their own builds every year. We’ve even had to add a second parking lot because of the number of vehicles attending” Tracy Farr, VP of Sales & Operations, related.

Continuing “Our classroom training sessions during the event are always packed. This year, we’re adding an early bird training starting at 10AM before the main show begins. The show itself runs from 11AM to 5PM, but we wanted to give attendees a chance to get an early start for some extra education and product knowledge. We will also have two additional training sessions through the day. These are definitely classes you don’t want to miss and they do fill up quickly every year.”

“In all my years in distribution, I truly feel like SSR Dallas and SSR Houston Shows are incredibly well supported by our manufacturers, rep partners and extremely loyal dealer base. It’s great to see everyone continue to rally behind this event every year” Farr concluded.

For more see ssrdistributors.com

BOCA RATON, FL (05.15.26) – Following the strong response to our EZ2 Power Extension Cables, we’re excited to introduce the next evolution in EV connectivity.

A complete lineup of fast, portable EV charging adapters designed to give your customers more flexibility, more compatibility, and more charging access than ever before.

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS

EV drivers today are facing one major challenge:

Our adapters unlock access to thousands of additional charging stations, giving drivers the freedom to charge wherever the road takes them.

WHAT MAKES EZ2 POWER DIFFERENT

WHY DEALERS SHOULD PAY ATTENTION

The EV market is growing fast and your customers are already asking:

POSITION YOURSELF AS THE EV SOLUTION PROVIDER

This isn’t just an accessory…

It’s a must-have solution for modern EV drivers

Be among the first to offer EZ2 Power EV

Charging Adapters to your customers.

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (05.15.26) – CRA amplifiers raise the standards for high-output audio gains, unlocking the full potential of your system. Whether you’re starting your first build or stepping up to serious sound, the CRA series delivers clean power, tight control, and the precision your music deserves. Deliver MORE to your power with CRA.

CRA amplifiers bring clean, efficient power to every installation —from 2-channel amp setups to monster monoblocks. Fully adjustable crossovers, MOSFET efficiency, and electronic equalizers help tune sound to deliver cleaner highs, richer mids, and BIGGER BASS.

To learn more, click here.

SEATTLE, WA (05.14.26) – We have Randy Davis from Hertz Audison, Tracy Focht from Kicker, Walter and Jon Detlefsen from Linkswell, David and Uriel from PCA Enclosures, Pat Johnson from Dynamat, and many others for you to talk about your business with.

To view floor plan, click here.

Click here to register to attend.

STILLWATER, OK (05.14.26) – As part of the annual Andre’s Electronic Experts Training Summit, the KICKER^® brand made an appearance in the way of training for dozens of pro retailers and installers gathered in Kelowna, British Columbia April 26-28.

Brand manager Mike Danbrook of KICKER distributor GEMSEN (Concord, Ontario) and GEMSEN B.C. representative Ty Mauger welcomed KICKER sales manager Aziz Masri and Tech Force training manager Aaron Malin to the event for a day of KICKER product education and questions.

Andre’s Electronics is made up of nearly 30 stores in Canada and holds the Training Summit each year for store personnel.  The three-day Summit includes dinners, awards and several vendor training courses.

Visit kicker.com for more.

DALLAS, TX (05.11.26) – The SSR Distributors Dealer Show 2026 takes place on Sunday, May 17 from 11AM to 5PM. Attendees can enjoy terrific savings, raffles, delicious food, attend trainings and meet in person with vendors. This will be a Family Friendly day for all.

“This will be our 5th Show and it’s definitely shaping up to be our biggest one yet. Every year the event continues to grow. Returning customers come back, new customers join us, we see more demo vehicles, more manufacturer vehicles and stronger customer participation with their own builds every year. We’ve even had to add a second parking lot because of the number of vehicles attending” Tracy Farr, VP of Sales & Operations, related.

Continuing “Our classroom training sessions during the event are always packed. This year, we’re adding an early bird training starting at 10AM before the main show begins. The show itself runs from 11AM to 5PM, but we wanted to give attendees a chance to get an early start for some extra education and product knowledge. We will also have two additional training sessions through the day. These are definitely classes you don’t want to miss and they do fill up quickly every year.”

“In all my years in distribution, I truly feel like SSR Dallas and SSR Houston Shows are incredibly well supported by our manufacturers, rep partners and extremely loyal dealer base. It’s great to see everyone continue to rally behind this event every year” Farr concluded.

For more see ssrdistributors.com

FORT MYERS, FL (05.11.26) – GENEVO AMERICA, the North American division of Europe’s leading radar detection and driver awareness technology brand, today announced the appointment of ALPHA SALES GROUP as its official East Coast manufacturers’ representative group. This strategic partnership marks a significant step in GENEVO AMERICA’s expansion across the United States, strengthening its presence within the 12V specialty retail channel.

ALPHA SALES GROUP will represent GENEVO AMERICA across all states east of the Mississippi River, including Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Louisiana. In this role, ALPHA SALES GROUP will support authorized dealers and distribution partners with product training, sales development, and market expansion initiatives. Known for its deep relationships within the specialty automotive electronics industry, ALPHA SALES GROUP brings a proven track record of driving brand growth at the retail level.

“ALPHA SALES GROUP is exactly the kind of partner we look for—experienced, respected, and deeply connected within the 12-volt channel,” said Ray Woolf, CEO of GENEVO AMERICA. “As we introduce GENEVO’s precision-engineered radar and laser defense systems to North America, it’s critical that we align with representatives who understand how to position premium technology at the retail level. ALPHA SALES GROUP will play a key role in building that foundation across their territory.”

“ALPHA SALES GROUP is excited to partner with GENEVO AMERICA as they introduce a truly differentiated product into the North American market,” said Bill Dolsen, VP of Sales at ALPHA SALES GROUP. “The level of engineering, performance, and refinement behind the GENEVO lineup is immediately apparent. We see a strong opportunity within the 12-volt specialty channel and look forward to working closely with dealers to drive adoption and long-term success across our region.”

GENEVO AMERICA is focused on delivering professional-grade electronic countermeasures through a network of elite specialty retailers. With a product lineup that includes both portable and fully integrated vehicle-specific systems, the brand emphasizes real-world performance, minimal false alerts, and seamless vehicle integration.

This partnership reinforces GENEVO AMERICA’s commitment to a distribution-first strategy, prioritizing dealer success, product education, and long-term brand development within the specialty channel.

For more see genevo.com/usB

HOUSTON, TX (05.08.26) – The Crossover Marketing Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Jorge Grijalva as Territory Manager for North Texas and Oklahoma.

Jorge brings more than 30 years of success in consumer electronics working with dealers, distributors, and consumers, and has served as Regional Sales Manager with Momentum Marketing, a nationally respected manufacturers’ representative firm. He also has a solid background in 12V Distribution and large-scale retail operations.

Shawn Simpson, Principal Owner Partner of Crossover Marketing Southeast, shared his excitement about the new addition: “What impressed us most about Jorge is the range of experience he brings to the table. He’s sat in the dealer’s seat, worked in distribution, and represented top brands, so he knows how to connect the dots and create real value for our partners”

Earlier in his career, Jorge served as a Territory Account Manager with DOW Technologies and founded AudioTex, a specialty electronics business. He also spent three years as a 12V District Sales Trainer for Best Buy and owned three retail stores in California, giving him practical experience in store operations. That broad range of experience brings a solid understanding of both the sales side of the business, and the practical needs of the dealers he serves in North Texas and Oklahoma.

Jorge Grijalva said, “I’m excited to join Crossover Marketing Group and start moving the needle in North Texas and Oklahoma and I’m looking forward to leveraging our unique position in the market to deliver measurable results for the team.”

Crossover is committed to delivering exceptional service and fostering growth for all partners. With Jorge on board, the company is poised to strengthen its presence in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi while continuing its tradition of excellence. This expansion underscores Crossover’s dedication to long-term and sustainable Dealer and Manufacturer partnerships.

Learn more at www.crossovermktg.com.