STURBRIDGE, MA (10.19.26) – Steven Sanchez, SoReal Sounds, made the short 60 mile trip from his store in Stoneham MA to attend the GoFast Winter Summit in Sturbridge on Wednesday, October 14th. SoReal Sounds is a very proactive retailer. Sanchez stated “I always try to make time for industry events and training opportunities because there’s always something new to learn, whether that’s a new product, installation technique or simply connecting with others in the industry.”

Continuing, “There’s always one nugget that I find at an industry event that I can use to help drive overall business in my store.”

At the GoFast Winter Summit the Diamond Audio and Cerwin-Vega booth stood out with Bob Chanthavongsa and Ryan Klein showing the latest for hot motorcycle audio. Additionally Sanchez attended the VOXX Snake Pit Training by Justin Gear. Time with Lucas Lighting, WavTech and Memphis Audio spotlighting products in their booths also drew interest.

“The Dash Cam category is strong and I picked up a large ThinkWare banner that I placed on the wall at my store the very next day along with a showroom standup. I have attended many GoFast Expos. Certainly thank Bob Hernandez and all at GoFast Solutions” Sanchez concluded.

For more see sorealsounds.com

CERRITOS, CA (10.16.26) – SoundSkins Global, a leading innovator in high-performance sound dampening and insulation solutions for the 12V and automotive industries, is proud to announce Ultimate Marketing as a distribution partner for the Southeastern United States. Effective immediately, authorized 12V dealers across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee can order the full SoundSkins product line through Ultimate Marketing.

Ultimate Marketing is a family owned, dealer-only 12V distributor and manufacturer’s representative that has served the Southeast since 2003. Headquartered in West Columbia, South Carolina, the company supplies authorized dealers across car audio, motorcycle audio, marine, powersports, golf cart, lighting, OEM integration, security, and installation accessories.

Adding SoundSkins gives Ultimate Marketing dealers a single source for the brand’s complete catalog: vehicle-specific pre-cut sound deadening kits, universal sound deadening and insulation materials like SoundSkins Pro, Classic, Heat Shield, Wavy Foam and more, and vehicle-specific and universal SoundSkins enclosures. Because each kit is pre-cut for an exact vehicle, dealers can stock fast-moving applications, cut install time, and reduce material waste.

“Ultimate Marketing has built its business on relationships and technical support, not just moving boxes,” said Dennis Garcia, COO at SoundSkins Global. “That is exactly the kind of distribution partner we want carrying SoundSkins into the Southeast, where dealers can count on real product knowledge behind every order.”

For more information about SoundSkins Global and its product lineup, visit www.soundskinsglobal.com.

To learn more, click here.

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (10.16.26) – BRUTUS BRL amplifiers are built to bring serious Hifonics power to your customer’s audio system. Engineered for stronger, more efficient performance, the Hifonics BRL series delivers a clean, controlled output needed to push speakers and subwoofers harder while maintaining overall higher sound quality.

Ultra-Fi MOSFETs are designed to support high output power while managing heat, helping every BRUTUS BRL amplifier
to bring out the best in music. Combined with Class-D amplification, the Hifonics BRL Series delivers BIG POWER across a wide frequency range.

A built-in VU meter provides a visual look at amplifier output, whileIntelligent Power Management helps maximize amplifier performance and overall efficiency in sound.

To learn more, click here.

TEMPE, AZ (10.15.26) – MasterTech Expo is proud to announce a new partnership with the International Auto Sound Challenge Association (IASCA), bringing competitive sound quality, installation excellence, and industry education to MasterTech Expo 2027, taking place March 11–14 at the Mesa Convention Center and Delta Hotels Mesa in Mesa, Ariz. This collaboration brings together two organizations committed to advancing the mobile electronics industry through education, innovation, and professional development.

“MasterTech Expo has always focused on bringing the best education, technology, and industry professionals together under one roof,” said Bryan Schmitt, founder of MasterTech Expo and CEO, founder, and president of Mobile Solutions. “Adding IASCA competition creates another exciting opportunity for manufacturers, retailers, and installers to showcase their craftsmanship, demonstrate their products, and experience high-performance audio at the highest level.”

The partnership introduces three exciting additions to the event:
• IASCA Expo Vehicle Southwest Regional Championship
• 2027 Double Points Competition
• IASCA Competition Seminar

“Since the very first MasterTech Expo, I have believed that the venue, event, and audience create the perfect combination for a car audio competition,” said Harry Kimura – IASCA Managing Director. “MasterTech brings elite experts together for a consortium of teaching and learning. With the expanding curriculum of the ‘SQ Track’ at MasterTech, it feels like a natural fit to gather the best competition systems for the MasterTech Expo IASCA Shootout. This would bring a major Sound Off back to the Greater Phoenix area—a region deeply rooted in high-level car audio history (Rockford Fosgate, PPI, Orion, MTX, Xtant) and home to the first two IASCA Finals in the late 1980s. It is time to bring high-level competitions back to Arizona, and MasterTech Expo is the ideal place to do it.”

IASCA Expo Vehicle Southwest Regional Championship

One of the highlights of the partnership will be an exclusive Triple Point IASCA Sound Quality (SQC) and Installation Quality (IQC) Competition designed specifically for manufacturer and exhibitor demonstration vehicles participating in MasterTech Expo.

The competition will recognize outstanding sound quality, system design, and installation craftsmanship, providing exhibitors with an opportunity to showcase their vehicles and technologies in a professionally judged environment. The vehicle receiving the highest Sound Quality score will earn the prestigious Best of Show title and a 50-point bonus, providing enough points to automatically qualify for the IASCA World Finals. IASCA will also provide a complimentary membership to fulfill the membership requirement for qualification.

Judging will take place during the early morning hours before the trade show opens, allowing exhibitors to participate without interfering with scheduled training sessions or show activities.

2027 IASCA Double Points Competition

MasterTech Expo will also host an IASCA Double Points Competition alongside its Saturday Car Show. Open to qualifying competitor vehicles outside the exhibitor demonstration category, this event will follow IASCA’s traditional competition format, offering participants professional judging, valuable system feedback, and the opportunity to earn points toward IASCA championship standings.

Competitors will receive an evaluation from an IASCA judge and compete for official IASCA acrylic awards. By combining competitive sound quality with MasterTech Expo’s growing automotive showcase, the event will bring an additional level of excitement and engagement for competitors, attendees, manufacturers, and automotive enthusiasts.

IASCA Competition Seminar – Education Beyond the Competition

Education remains at the heart of both organizations. As part of the partnership, IASCA will present a dedicated educational seminar introducing retailers, installers, and industry professionals to the benefits of sound quality competition. The seminar will explore how businesses can leverage competition to promote their services, attract new customers, demonstrate installation quality, and build credibility within the mobile electronics community.

Attendees will also gain insight into IASCA’s scoring system, judging criteria, and competition formats. The session is designed to encourage greater industry participation while helping retailers and technicians understand how competition can become a valuable business and professional development tool.

Strengthening the Mobile Electronics Industry

IASCA and MasterTech Expo share a common vision of strengthening the mobile electronics industry by supporting manufacturers, promoting professional installation practices, and increasing consumer awareness of high-quality automotive audio products. IASCA’s commitment to industry growth is reflected in its Judges’ Mission Statement: “Helping Our Industry Grow Through Education and Awareness.”

Through this partnership, both organizations aim to inspire the next generation of mobile electronics professionals, recognize exceptional craftsmanship, and elevate the standards of automotive audio installation and system performance.

“Competition has always played an important role in advancing our industry,” added Schmitt. “It challenges professionals to improve their skills, creates opportunities for manufacturers to demonstrate their technology, and ultimately helps raise the level of quality throughout the industry. We’re excited to bring this experience to MasterTech Expo.”

Registration and additional event information are available at www.mastertechexpo.com. Attendees are encouraged to register early and plan their education selections and hotel stay.

CERRITOS, CA (10.15.26) – SoundSkins Global is proud to announce a partnership with Car Toys that brings the full SoundSkins product line to Car Toys locations in Oregon. Customers can now buy SoundSkins and have it professionally installed at five Car Toys stores in Oregon.

Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Seattle, Car Toys is the largest independent multi-channel specialty car audio and mobile electronics retailer in America, with more than 40 stores across the western United States.

The partnership covers the complete SoundSkins catalog: vehicle-specific pre-cut sound deadening kits, universal sound deadening and insulation materials like SoundSkins Pro, Classic, Heat Shield, Wavy Foam and more, and vehicle-specific and universal SoundSkins enclosures. Each kit is cut to fit an exact vehicle, so Car Toys installers get consistent coverage with no measuring or trimming, and customers get a quieter cabin and cleaner output from their audio system.

“Car Toys sets the bar for what a specialty retailer should be, from the showroom to the install bay,” said Dennis Garcia, COO at SoundSkins Global. “Having our full line, including our SoundSkins enclosures, stocked and installed at Car Toys locations in Oregon is a major step for SoundSkins in the Pacific Northwest.”

SoundSkins is available at the following Car Toys locations in Oregon:

Store	Address	Phone
Salem	448 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem, OR 97301	503-540-3423
Clackamas	10305 SE 82nd Ave, Portland, OR 97086	503-788-5777
Gateway	10209 NE Halsey St, Portland, OR 97220	503-256-0030
Tigard	11710 SW Pacific Hwy #99W, Tigard, OR 97223	503-968-5477
Beaverton	12195 SW Canyon Rd, Beaverton, OR 97005	503-643-0944

For more information about SoundSkins Global and its product lineup, visit www.soundskinsglobal.com.

OZARK, MO (10.14.26) – Creative Audio, an industry-leadi ng car, home, marine, and powersports custom audio retailer headquartered in Ozark, Missouri, announced today the acquisition of Good Vibrations, a premier audio and electronics destination located in Hutchinson, Kansas. The strategic addition unites two multi-decade Midwest audio powerhouses with shared roots in high-performance sound, custom craft, and customer-first service.

Crucial to this transaction is a full commitment to local continuity. Mitchell “Mitch” Meyer, son of retiring founder Bill Meyer, will continue at the helm as Store Manager. Having grown up in the shop and directed day-to-day retail, mobile installation, and home integration operations for years, Mitch will maintain the store’s legacy while steering its next growth phase. Furthermore, Creative Audio is retaining 100% of the Hutchinson personnel, ensuring that every famil iar face—with support from Director of Retail Sales Edmond Sherrod and Home Audio Director Corey Puett— can drive the business forward.

Turning Up the Volume in Kansas
Good Vibrations was founded in 1984 by Bill Meyer, growing over 42 years from a local car stereo and window tinting shop into a regional institution offering remote start, custom wraps, lift kits, and home audio automation. Creative Audio, founded in 1991 in Pittsburg, Kansas, before expanding across Missouri and Arkansas with massive showroom, marine, and
e-commerce operations, shares that exact same Midwestern DNA.

“Bill Meyer built something truly special in Hutchinson—a 42-year legacy grounded in family, passion, and incredible customer loyalty,” said Don Fleury, Owner of Creative Audio. “Main Street Hutchinson feels just like our roots in Pittsburg and Joplin. When you look at what Mitch Meyer and this entire team have built, keeping every single employee wasn’t just a decision—it was the whole point. We are thrilled to welcome Mitch and the full Hutchinson team to the Creative Audio family as we crank the volume up together.”

“Good Vibrations has always been about family, great music, and taking care of people,” said Bill Meyer, Founder of Good Vibrations. “Handing over the keys is easy when you know your crew is taken care of and your son is leading the charge with a group like Creative Audio that lives and breathes the exact same values.”

Seamless Transition & Community Commitment
Over the past 90 days, the location is undergoing a gradual branding transition from Good Vibrations to Creative Audio. Customers can expect zero disruption in service, full honoring of existing commitments, and immediate access to expanded inventory, advanced vehicle integration technology, and deeper technical support.

“Our customers are going to see the exact same technicians and advisors they’ve trusted for years,” added Mitch Meyer, Store Manager. “With Creative Audio’s support behind us, we ‘ll have even better gear, bolder display setups, and broader capabilities in mobile and home electronics than ever before.”

To learn more, click www.creativeaudio.net

LIBERTYVILLE, IL (10.14.26) – Turn up your Jeep. Turn up Music. Defined. Take on every drive with LOUDER PERFORMANCE. The MBQJK-STG2AH-1 STAGE 2 system, MBQJK-28CRGB rear soundbar, and MBQJL-302 tailgate subwoofer give you everything for a complete sound stage right in your Jeep Wrangler JK vehicle.

From undistorted sound quality that brings consistent mids that never back down, to clean treble sound, and heavy bass punch — your Jeep Wrangler JK will be concert-tuned for every road ahead.

To learn more, click here.

The International Auto Sound Challenge Association (IASCA) celebrated a successful 2026 SPL World Finals season with championship events in Indianapolis, Indiana, October 3–4, and Salem, Oregon, September 27. The Indianapolis finals delivered outstanding performances and new world records across multiple competition classes. The event also featured dB Drag Racing Association (dBDRA) competition, bringing another major name in SPL competition to the weekend. The complete list of IASCA SPL world records and Top 10 results is available on the IASCA website.  Industry participation added to the excitement, with B2 Audio, Slamology, and Sundown Audio represented with vendor booths.

The West Coast satellite event in Salem, presented by Car Toys Oregon, brought together more than 40 competition vehicles and strong support from the Pacific Northwest car audio community. IASCA thanks Car Toys Oregon, KICKER, and Crossover Marketing for supporting the event and helping make it a success.

IASCA thanks all competitors, sponsors, vendors, judges, and volunteers who contributed to both events and helped strengthen the car audio competition community.

The excitement continues in 2027 as IASCA prepares for the 2026 IASCA Sound Quality World Finals at the AXPONA Car Audio Showcase, April 16-18, 2027, at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in Schaumburg, Illinois. The event will bring the world’s top sound quality competitors together to showcase their vehicles and compete for world championship honors. For event details, official results, and upcoming competitions, visit www.iasca.com.

DIAMOND BAR, CA (10.13.26) – The 2026 SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast will launch the industry’s premier trade event on Tuesday, Nov. 3, at 7 a.m. at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino ballrooms. Highlighting the program is an exclusive fireside chat featuring Jay Leno and Harley-Davidson President and CEO Artie Starrs, setting the tone before Show doors officially open.

This year, Harley-Davidson joins the Show’s expanding Powersports, SxS & Lifestyle section in West Hall, a strategic expansion that underscores the growing intersection between the automotive and powersports communities.

“The SEMA Show Kickoff Breakfast gives attendees an early start on the industry’s most critical week of business,” said SEMA Vice President of Events Tom Gattuso. “It’s a dedicated moment to celebrate the people, products, and achievements driving our industry forward, while strengthening the connections that define the SEMA community.”

A central highlight of the Kickoff Breakfast is the presentation of the 2026 SEMA Best New Product Awards, honoring exceptional innovation across 15 categories. Drawn from the New Products Showcase, these awards provide attendees with an advance look at breakthrough technologies shaping today’s automotive aftermarket.

The program will conclude with the announcement of the 2026 SEMA Manufacturer of the Year and 2026 SEMA Channel Partner of the Year awards, honoring two exceptional organizations for outstanding leadership and contributions over the past year.

“The Kickoff Breakfast is designed to energize attendees for a productive week,” said SEMA Trade Show Director Andy Tompkins. “We look forward to uniting the global industry around product discovery, emerging trends, and business growth.”

Exhibitor demand for the 2026 SEMA Show has surpassed 1 million net square feet of indoor exhibit space, with more than 2,000 brands preparing to connect with a global audience Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas. The event remains one of the largest and most influential trade shows in the country, reflecting continued investment and growth across the automotive aftermarket.

Attendees can also experience signature features such as the New Products Showcase, Battle of the Builders presented by Mothers, and FutureTech Studio, offering a closer look at the trends and technologies influencing the next generation of automotive tools and shop environments.

The 2026 SEMA Show is part of the broader “SEMA Week” experience, which includes Friday public access and the high-energy SEMA Fest.

To learn more or register, visit www.semashow.com.

ROSWELL, GA (10.12.26) – Tech Marketing is pleased to announce that Brad Arnold has joined the company as a Manufacturer’s Representative. He brings more than three decades of sales, leadership and business development experience
in the automotive aftermarket and mobile electronics industries.

Brad began his career in 1992 with P&E Distributors, rising from salesperson to a leadership position overseeing the Georgia Division. Throughout his tenure, he helped drive regional growth while building lasting relationships with dealers, distributors and industry partners.

In his new role, Brad will focus on dealer development, expanding business opportunities and strengthening relationships between Tech Marketing’s manufacturer partners and the retailers they serve. His background in sales, purchasing, inventory management and customer retention provides valuable insight into the needs of independent aftermarket businesses.

Brad Arnold commented, “I’ve always believed that successful business is built on relationships. My goal is to be a resource for the dealers, distributors and manufacturers I work with – helping identify opportunities, solve problems and ultimately grow business together.”

Richie Holtzman Rep Principal Tech Marketing commented, “Brad’s appointment reinforces Tech Marketing’s commitment to knowledgeable, relationship-driven representation and dedicated support for its manufacturer and dealer partners throughout the Southeast.”

To learn more, click here.