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Solomon Daniels will oversee process for 11th straight year

LONG BEACH, CALIF., June 23, 2020 (MEDIAWIRE)—The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) announced that it has contracted SDG, Inc., a marketing and communications firm specializing in the automotive integration industry, to facilitate the 2020 Mobile Electronics Industry Awards. Solomon Daniels, principal of SDG, has administered the awards process for the past 10 years as part of his former role as editor-in-chief of Mobile Electronics magazine. Daniels will oversee and implement the same processes up to the determination of the winners. MEA President Chris Cook will present the winners at the annual awards ceremony, scheduled for September 27 at the Dallas Convention Center during this year’s only remaining KnoweldgeFest event.

The Industry Awards process typically begins in May and runs through to the annual awards ceremony that accompanies the Dallas KnowledgeFest event in August. But the drastic impact of the COVID-19 virus forced the pushback of the remaining three KnowledgeFest education and tradeshow events. The Indianapolis and new Orlando shows have been moved to 2021, and the flagship Dallas event has been shifted to late September this year.

The Mobile Electronics Industry Awards celebrate the best examples of the industry from the retail, technical, supplier and support sectors. The process is divided into three segments to include endorsements from every segment of the industry. Participants submit nominations which are narrowed to a list of semi-finalists. Industry members and consumers then cast votes to determine the finalists in each awards category. In some award categories, winners are chosen from their final vote rankings. For the remainder, finalists are asked to submit additional materials for review, and the winners are selected by a judging body.

“I am extremely happy to be able to continue the tradition of overseeing the Industry Awards, even in this new capacity,” said Daniels. “My commitment has always been to remain a strong advocate and participant in our industry and provide help wherever I can. To be a part of rewarding our most-accomplished performers and sharing their best practices to benefit others is one of the most fulfilling tasks I could ask for.”

Announcements about the awards process will be made in the coming days. Participants will be able to stay up to date throughout the entire awards cycle by visiting meindustryawards.com. For more information, contact Solomon Daniels at (213) 291-7888 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

The virtual event was broadcast live to thousands of viewers
 
North Andover, Mass. – December 13, 2020 – The Mobile Electronics® Association (MEA) announced the winners of the 2020 Mobile Electronics Industry Awards. The awards were presented Sunday evening at the conclusion of a successful KnowledgeFest.Live virtual event. The awards recognize and honor professionals in the mobile electronics industry that exhibit outstanding service, business ethics, professionalism, and expertise in their field.
 
Chris Cook, President of MEA, hosted the event which was viewed online by thousands of industry professionals, including family and friends, from the United States and around the globe. Top honors for Installer of the Year went to Justin Kush of Mobile Toys Inc. in College Station, Texas. Retailer of the Year (single store) was awarded to both Divine Concepts, Naples, Fla. and Car-Tunes, Greenville, Miss. Sales Pro of the Year went to Jason Kranitz of Kingpin Car & Marine Audio in Henderson, Nev. and Trusted Tech of the Year went to Chris McNulty of Kingpin University in Henderson, Nev. Vendor of the Year went to AudioControl and Distributor of the Year went to DOW Electronics.
 
Installer of the Year
Justin Kush – Mobile Toys Inc. – College Station, TX
 
Installer of the Year – Runner-Up
Dean Beyett – Five Star Car Stereo – Clearwater, FL
 
Sales Pro Award Winner
Jason Kranitz – Kingpin Car & Marine Audio – Henderson, NV
 
Trusted Tech Award Winner
Chris McNulty – Kingpin Car & Marine Audio – Henderson, NV
 
Retailer of the Year
Car-Tunes Inc. – Greenville, MS
 
Retailer of the Year
Divine Concepts – Naples, FL
 
Retailer of the Year Runner-up
Mobile Toys Inc. – College Station, TX
 
Retailer of the Year Runner-up
Traffic Jams Motorsports – Buford, GA
 
Rookie of the Year
Oscar Rodriguez – J’s Tint & Car Audio – Dallas, TX
 
Most Improved Store or Chain
KarTele Mobile Electronics – Waterbury, CT
 
Best Online Presence
NVS Audio – Roselle, NJ
 
Best Customer Retention Program
JML Audio of St. Louis – Fenton, MO
 
Best Customer Experience
Elevated Audio – Denver, CO
 
Best Store Culture
Traffic Jams Motorsports – Buford, GA
 
Customer Choice Award
Mobile Toys Inc. – College Station, TX
 
Career Achievement Award
Tom Malone
 
Expeditor of the Year
American Radio
 
Distributor of the Year
DOW Electronics
 
Rep Firm of the Year
Marketing Pros – Arlington, TX
 
Rep of the Year
Mike Rundel, Sony
 
Vendor of the Year
AudioControl
 
Top Vendor: Autosound & Processing
Sony
 
Top Vendor: Security, Safety and Driver Assistance
AAMP
 
Top Vendor: Accessories and Materials
Metra Electronics
 
Top Vendor: Infotainment & Multimedia
Sony
 
Top Vendor: Powersports & Marine
JL Audio
 
About the Mobile Electronics Association
Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) is a trade association comprised of installing dealers and product vendors dedicated to serving the needs of the mobile electronics specialist industry. MEA owns and produces KnowledgeFest, regional trade-only industry events that combine educational programming and vendor training with a trade show floor. MEA owns and publishes the monthly Mobile Electronics® magazine, which is the industry’s #1 resource, as well as other digital media, including websites and the industry’s e-newsletter Hotwire. MEA provides software and data-driven services to vendors and retailers. Learn more at mobile-electronics.com.
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When COVID-19 disrupted business nationwide, 2020 Sales Pro of the Year Jason Kranitz chose to transform this challenge into an opportunity.


Words by Rosa Sophia
After Kingpin University and Kingpin Car & Marine Audio moved from Oregon to Las Vegas in 2019, owner Jason Kranitz quickly booked classes. When COVID-19 hit, he had to cancel classes and refund the students. Additionally, his landlord sold the building, and with no income from the school, his focus shifted to retail.
 
While searching for a new retail location, he’s had to conduct sales and installations out of his manufacturing facility. “No one knew me, I had no showroom—just pictures of previous work—and no one could even visit me because of COVID,” he explained, adding that while the business has been down in numbers, he doesn’t have much to compare it to because of the move. However, he added, “I feel that since we’ve started, we’re growing every month.”
 
Kingpin has been named Retailer of the Year in the past—twice—and has earned other distinctions such as Best Customer Experience. Also, Kranitz has held the Installer of the Year title. Once, he submitted materials for Sales Pro of the Year and wasn’t chosen. Although he hadn’t planned to attempt it a second time, COVID changed his mind because he felt the business was already uniquely structured to handle the challenge. For the last seven years, the shop has been appointment-only with locked doors, unlike many other retail locations. Kingpin University—the education branch of the business—opened its doors five years ago.
 
Kranitz finally decided to pursue the...Read the rest of the story HERE.

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