Mobile Electronics Magazine

Switch to desktop
Finalists to submit materials for judging to determine final winners

North Andover, Mass., – November 18, 2022 – The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) announced the finalists for the 2023 Industry Awards earlier today, live on its Facebook page. MEA President, Chris Cook held the Finalists Presentation, in which The Top 12 Retailers, Top 12 Installers, Top 5 Technicians, and Top 5 Sales Pros and other awards were announced. Also noted were the “Top 3” and “Top 5” awards for finalists in the vendor, vendor tech support, expeditor, sales rep, rep firm and distributor categories, as well as the top 5 Technicians denoting the finalists for the coveted Trusted Tech award. Each “Top” award recipient will receive a signed wall certificate. 

While the final stage of the Industry Awards will be held in Las Vegas during KnowledgeFest, Cook noted that the announcement produced its own set of winners.

“It’s important to recognize that making it to the Top 12, Top 5 and Top 3 categories signals a major achievement in this industry,” he explained. “It means that these individuals, stores, brands and companies are part of a unique group that represents the best of our industry. We’re overdue in recognizing the significance of their efforts, and I am proud to create a special event for that purpose. 

Some of the award categories are decided solely on industry votes. For these, the top vote-getter will be announced at KnowledgeFest as the ultimate winner of the category. For the Top 12 retailers, Top 12 Installers, Top 5 Technicians, Top 5 Rookies, and Top 5 Sales Professionals, each recipient will need to submit additional materials for judging to determine the winner in each category. 

The finalists lists can be viewed at meindustryawards.com by clicking on the Winners tab and selecting ‘2023’ winners. To view the 2023 Industry Awards Finalists Presentation, visit the Mobile Electronics magazine page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MobileElectronics. The final awards will be announced at the Mobile Electronics Industry Awards celebration during the KnowledgeFest trade show and conference at the Paris Hotel & Convention Center in Las Vegas, February 5, 2022.

Complete information on the Industry Awards, including rules, award descriptions, past winners, eligibility requirements, instructions and submissions can be found at www.MEIndustryAwards.com.
 
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.
 
Media Contact:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(978) 645-6434

 

Welcome to the Mobile Electronics Show

Bringing the pages of Mobile Electronics magazine to Life!

Watch the Latest Episode here:

8-12-2017 -- The second day of KnowledgeFest 2017 marked its first full day of workshops and manufacturer trainings, which was capped by a keynote presentation by world-renowned speaker and podcast host, Brett Gajda. The keynote, titled "Accelerate Your Success," discussed how business owners can better identify and attain success in their business and personal lives: through strong, conscious leadership. 
 
"If leadership is how you do your day-to-day, you need to show up as much as possible," Gajda said. "I started to think about how the man I want to be would eat a hamburger. It sounds silly but it worked. As I sat alone I thought about how I might eat that burger in front of a date I really liked. Leadership is about being conscious and present. Be the person you want to be. Slow down and enjoy the flavor."
 
The presentation included personal anecdotes along with inspirational quotes and concepts by well-known authors. One such concept was from the book, "The Compound Effect," by Darren Hardy, which discusses how the little things we do can make a huge impact over time. "The book explains that 3rd gear isn't sexy. 1st gear, when we take off, that's sexy. 5th gear, when we're at top speed, that's sexy. 3rd gear is stocking shelves and checking inventory. That's when we check out mentally. Most people aren't willing to go through 3rd gear," Gajda added.
 
Highlights of the day's seminars included seminar like High Res - The Next Big Thing, with instructors Bryan Schmitt and Matt Schaeffer. It discussed how high resolution audio products are changing the game for customers and allowing retailers the opportunity to reinvigorate a category recently seen to be on the decline.
 
MEA President Chris Cook hosted his first classes in many years, including the course, "Profitable Merchandising: Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) Optimization." In the course, he conveyed best practices from many years in 12-volt as a former employee of companies like Circuit City, where it was important to justify both cutting costs and keeping costs, like paying for employee lunches during the busiest work days.
The show floor also opened for the first time during the event, revealing both a host of new product offerings and new faces. Companies making their KnowledgeFest debut included off-road speaker and amplifier manufacturer Probox, Brazillian company SounDigital and startup dashcam maker, Waylens. 
 
KnowledgeFest continues through Monday, finishing with the 2017 Industry Awards on Monday at 6:30pm. Find out more about events and seminars at kfest.me
4-9-2017 -- Thanks to the growing popularity of the event, and great weather, the turnouts for the seminars on the opening day of KnowledgeFest were high, with many rooms filled nearly to capacity. Retailers, installers and sales staff were in high spirits, eager to make the most of this year's spring training experience.
 
This was showcased particularly well in Eric Carter's "Word of 'Mouse': Dealing with Social Media & Online Reviews" course when, due to a computer delay, he took questions from the audience, creating an instant rapport with the audience where the air of positivity and excitement was palpable. The course tackled the best ways to enhance and maintain your store's social media presence with humorous anecdotes and situational-based how-to's like how to handle a bad review when it was accidentally clicked by a happy customer. 
 
Marcel Newell took retailers in a more serious direction by emphasizing how critical it is to budget every facet of your business to prevent unforeseen losses. The course, called "Budgeting Without Balding," took attendees through the specifics of creating and maintaining a budget, using it to measure their business performance and as a planning tool. One stand-out moment of the presentation was when Newell explained the importance of retailers taking time on their own away from the shop to study the financials and find new ways to maximize efficiency. "Budget vs. Actual is your score card as an entrepreneur. Get better over months at what you buy and what you sell. Understand the gap," Newell explained. "You guys are way smarter than anyone in finance. If you do this, you will improve your business. Plain and simple."
 
The manufacturer trainings featured memorable offerings as well, with JL Audio offering a tuning session with laptops available for each attendee to use. DD Audio went over a series of enclosure builds it conducted over a 30-day period to help educate its dealers on how best to build enclosures for its various subwoofers. Sony explained the ins and outs of its XAV-AX100 smartphone receiver, a popular head unit for the brand. 
 
Seminars and events will continue through Tuesday, April 11, and include a town hall presentation, networking night and the Mobile Electronics show, which offers retailers the chance to mingle with vendors and peers about new products and trends in the industry. If the first day is any indication, it's likely this show will be a huge success both for individual retailer's and manufacturers as well. 
 
Find out more about the show, including a complete schedule of seminars and events, at kfest.me

Mobile Electronics Alert - North Andover, MA – March 30, 2020:

The below link is for applying through the Small Business Association (SBA) for COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Relief. This is a short form (5 screens) that can be completed online in a few minutes. MEA recommends that all members that have been negatively impacted by the coronavirus apply for this relief.

 

You will need the following information:

1. Business Tax ID or Social Security number

2. Total Sales for the period from 2/1/2019 through 1/31/2020

3. Total COGS (Cost of Goods Sold - which is only what you pay for products for resale) for the same period (2/1/19-1/31/20)**

4. Total Operating Expenses (Total of everything else you paid not including the COGS) for same period (2/1/19-1/31/20)**

5. The date the business was established (usually date of incorporated) and current ownership is the same if it has not changed

6. Select “Automotive Repair” activity and “Automotive – Parts. Accessories” for detailed

7. Number of employees you had employed as of 1/31/2020

8. You will need the full name, address, DOB and social security number of each owner of the business and the % of ownership they have

9. Bank name, account number and routing number

 

**As long as you use a good faith effort in compiling the information, the government is most likely to forgive some errors.


To Start Your Application Click the Button [CLICK HERE]
 
When completed you will be assigned an application number and receive an email for additional information needed once your application is processed. Currently there is not a way to edit the information once submitted.
 
Visit MEAHelp.com for more tips on what other information you may need.
 
 

 

 

Mobile Electronics Specialty Retailers Subscribing to MEA Can Offer Snap’s Flexible, Pay-Over-Time Financing to Customers
 
May 5, 2022—Salt Lake City— Snap Finance (Snap), provider of fast, flexible pay-over-time digital financing options, today announced that the Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) has named Snap as a Preferred Financing Partner. Through this partnership, mobile electronics specialty retailers nationwide can confidently offer Snap’s pay-over-time financing to customers who are rebuilding their credit.
 
The Mobile Electronics Association consists of manufacturers, retailers, and service providers of automotive aftermarket technology products. Through trade shows and conferences, the MEA provides top-notch education, networking opportunities, and business services designed to advance the professionalism and profitability for all of the industry's stakeholders. Its trade-only publication, Mobile Electronics magazine, strives to serve as the industry's most-read and trusted resource for news.By naming Snap a preferred partner, the MEA advises their subscribers to process Snap’s financing first to ensure a higher approval rate for customers.
 
“Snap Finance provides transparent financing that our member retailers can offer to help their customers gain access to great new audio technology for their vehicles,” said Chris Cook, president of the MEA. “We’re pleased to name Snap as a Preferred Financing Partner. Their pay-over-time solution will help our members increase sales and grow their businesses.”
 
Snap’s financing solution takes a more holistic view of consumers with credit challenges, resulting in more sales for the retailer and a better way for customers to purchase the high-ticket items they want and need. Snap offers online and in-store financing solutions that empower retailers to get customers approved in minutes with the lowest rates around. With Snap as a Preferred Financing Partner, retailers can close more sales with no additional cost or financing risk. Customers receive a transparent, flexible solution that allows them to pay for car audio equipment and services on a schedule tailored to their pay cycle.
 
“Snap believes that modern payment solutions should look at each consumer as an individual deserving of an opportunity to purchase the things they want and need, despite past credit challenges,” said Rex Northern, senior vice president and general manager of Business Solutions and Enterprise Group for Snap Finance. “We’re proud to be named a preferred financing partner for members of the MEA to help them close even more sales and help their customers rebuild their credit scores in the process.”
 
For more information about the partnership and its benefits for car audio retailers, visit http://mobile-electronics.com/snap.
 
About the Mobile Electronics Association
The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) has a mission to educate, inform and empower the industry. It is an organization of professionals who market products and services that enhance the driving experience. Membership includes retailers, manufacturers, distributors, manufacturer’s representatives and others related to the mobile electronics industry who realize professionalism and continuing education are cornerstones for successful business. The MEA serves as the safe and neutral field where all parts of the industry can gather to learn from and share with one another. For more information, visit http://mobile-electronics.com/.
 
About Snap Finance
Since 2012, Snap has been on a mission to bring flexible, pay-over-time financing options to all consumers. Snap’s world-class team of enthusiastic, friendly problem-solvers has harnessed the power of data to empower customers of all credit types and to help retailers close more sales. Its proprietary technology brings together machine learning, non-traditional risk variables, and years of data to create an industry-leading decisioning platform. Snap enables retailers to bring modern payment options to consumers who are still growing or rebuilding their credit profiles. Snap’s payment solutions are accepted at more than 300,000 merchants. For more information, visit snapfinance.com
 
###
 
Media contact:
Michelle Barry
Chameleon Collective for Snap Finance
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+1 (603) 809-2748

NORTH ANDOVER January 17, 2017— Mobile Electronics announced that Brazilian car audio amplifier manufacturer SounDigital has joined as a Silver Partner.

“We have been talking with SounDigital since after KnowledgeFest® Dallas last August,” said Kerry Moyer, vice president, strategic partnerships, Mobile Electronics. “Now, with their American market launch, SounDigital decided it was time to join the Mobile Electronics Association as a Silver Partner. They are coming to market by selling direct to the mobile specialist, so they are a perfect fit for our membership. We are pleased to welcome SounDigital as our first partner from South America.”

About SounDigital

SounDigital is the leading Brazilian manufacturer of car audio amplifiers. Always innovating and in pursuit of the newest technologies, SounDigital is now selling in over 25 countries around the world. SounDigital is also the main company in dBDrag competition worldwide, with more than 20 world championships! For more information, contact SounDigital USA at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.soundigitalusa.com

About Mobile Electronics®

Mobile Electronics strives to grow the mobile electronics industry by supporting its retailers, salespeople, technicians and manufacturers with integrated services built around the group’s 1,100-plus-member industry association, the Mobile Electronics Association™, its Mobile Electronics® magazine, KnowledgeFest® tradeshows, Partnership Program, point-of-sale system and data products. Through these offerings, Mobile Electronics delivers education, networking avenues, and business and marketing resources, and promotes partnership between retailers and manufacturers to increase sales and profits. For more information, contact Mobile Electronics at 85 Flagship Dr., Suite F, North Andover, MA, 01845, telephone: 800-949-6372, or visit mobile-electronics.com.

North Andover, MA – September 17 , 2020 – Mobile Electronics Magazine features great information for Selling Vehicle Safety Systems for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) brought to you from the Vision Zero Automotive Network.

Vision Zero is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of safety equipment in vehicles. Join us as we highlight these technologies and discuss sales strategies retailers can implement today.
 
Selling Vehicle Safety Systems

Words by Dave MacKinnon

Successful mobile electronics retailers need to be a jack-of-all-trades—and yes, dare I say it, masters. While many of us love creating bespoke audio systems that combine creativity and unique fabrication techniques, just as many retailers excel at remote starter installations or lighting upgrades. One category which deserves more exposure and emphasis is... Read the rest of the article HERE
 

 

September 15, 2022, North Andover, Mass — The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA), producer of Mobile Electronics magazine, announced that industry professionals can now submit their nominations for inclusion in the 2023 Industry Awards. Nominations will be accepted until October 16th.
The Mobile Electronics Industry Awards celebrate companies and individuals that best exemplify the highest standards of quality and service excellence. Winners represent the industry at-large to consumers and act as ideal examples to better peers within the industry. The process starts with nominations submitted online and via video. A panel of judges selects the Top 50 Retailers, Top 50 Installers, and Top 20 Sales Professionals, which are eligible to move on to the second phase of the awards process. In addition to the retailer nominations, the process for recognizing top vendors, sales reps and firms, and distributors is open for nominations as well. Final awards are given out at a special ceremony held on the last day of KnowledgeFest Las Vegas a the Paris Hotel & Convention Center held February 3-5, 2023.  
“The Industry Awards process is one of the most anticipated events in the mobile electronics industry,” said Chris Cook, MEA president. “It’s the one time when professionals are called on to promote themselves in one phase, then reach out to their peers and customers for support in the next phase. The final phase is a grueling preparation of materials for judging that often reveals aspects—both positive and negative—of a person’s character or work ethic, or a business’ focus and direction. Most who have gone through the process say it is as fulfilling as it is challenging.”
Mobile Electronics is accepting nominations through its special website at www.MEIndustryAwards.com. Nominees submit a short video outlining their qualifications. Retailers, installation technicians, vendors, distributors, and sales representatives have until October 16th to submit nominations.
Complete information on the Industry Awards, including rules, award descriptions, past winners, eligibility requirements, instructions and submissions can be found at www.MEIndustryAwards.com.
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.
 
Media Contact:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(978) 645-6434

 

The time has come for the best of the best of the Mobile Electronics Industry to step up and be recognized.
 
August 18, 2023, North Andover, Mass — The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA), producer of Mobile Electronics magazine, announced that industry professionals can now submit their nominations for inclusion in the 2024 Industry Awards. Nominations will be accepted until September 13th.
 
The Mobile Electronics Industry Awards celebrate companies and individuals that best exemplify the highest standards of quality and service excellence. Winners represent the industry at-large to consumers and act as ideal examples to better peers within the industry. The process starts with nominations submitted online and via video. A panel of judges selects the Top 50 Retailers, Top 50 Installers, and Top 20 Sales Professionals, which are eligible to move on to the second phase of the awards process. In addition to the retailer nominations, the process for recognizing top vendors, sales reps and firms, and distributors is open for nominations as well. Final awards are given out at a special ceremony held on the last day of KnowledgeFest Las Vegas at the Paris Hotel & Convention Center held February 2-4, 2024.
 
“The Industry Awards process is one of the most anticipated events in the mobile electronics industry,” said Chris Cook, MEA president. “It’s the one time when professionals are called on to promote themselves in one phase, then reach out to their peers and customers for support in the next phase. The final phase is a grueling preparation of materials for judging that often reveals aspects—both positive and negative—of a person’s character or work ethic, or a business’ focus and direction. Most who have gone through the process say it is as fulfilling as it is challenging.”
 
Mobile Electronics is accepting nominations through its special website at www.MEIndustryAwards.com. Nominees submit a short video outlining their qualifications. Retailers, installation technicians, vendors, distributors, and sales representatives have until September 13th to submit nominations.
Complete information on the Industry Awards, including rules, award descriptions, past winners, eligibility requirements, instructions and submissions can be found at MEIndustryAwards.com.
 
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, 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.
 
Media Contact:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(978) 645-6434
 
###
North Andover, MA – May 18, 2021 – The Mobile Electronics Association introduces the all-new Mobile Electronics Show! The series premiere, sponsored by Sony, will debut on Tuesday, May 18th at noon Eastern Time. For the first webcast, Mobile Electronics Association president and show host Chris Cook will interview some of the winners from the 2020 Mobile Electronics Industry Awards including Jason Kranitz of Kingpin Car & Marine Audio, Adam Devine of Devine Concepts, Kimberly Trainer of Car-Tunes, and Justin Kush of MTI. There is also a special opening interview with the Sales Pro of the Year, Mike Rundel of Sony.
 
“The Mobile Electronics Show will be broadcast on YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo and will include great interviews with key players in the Mobile Electronics Industry” said Chris Cook, President of MEA. “Each show will bring to life content from Mobile Electronics Magazine in an infotaining, video podcast format that will feature dealers, manufacturers, distributors and key industry personalities."
 
For a direct link to the webcast go to http://me-mag.com/me-show.
 
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.
 
Media Contact:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
978-645-6434
October 28, 2021, North Andover, Mass — The Mobile Electronics Association (MEA), producer of Mobile Electronics magazine, announced that industry professionals can now submit their nominations for inclusion in the 2022 Industry Awards. Nominations will be accepted until November 14th.
 
The Mobile Electronics Industry Awards celebrate companies and individuals that best exemplify the highest standards of quality and service excellence. Winners represent the industry at-large to consumers and act as ideal examples to better peers within the industry. The process starts with nominations submitted online and via video. A panel of judges selects the Top 50 Retailers, Top 50 Installers, and Top 20 Sales Professionals, which are eligible to move on to the second phase of the awards process. In addition to the retailer nominations, the process for recognizing top vendors, sales reps and firms, and distributors is open for nominations as well. Final awards are given out at a special ceremony held on the last day of KnowledgeFest Las Vegas held February 18-20.  
 
“The Industry Awards process is one of the most anticipated events in the mobile electronics industry,” said Chris Cook, MEA president. “It’s the one time when professionals are called on to promote themselves in one phase, then reach out to their peers and customers for support in the next phase. The final phase is a grueling preparation of materials for judging that often reveals aspects—both positive and negative—of a person’s character or work ethic, or a business’ focus and direction. Most who have gone through the process say it is as fulfilling as it is challenging.”
 
Mobile Electronics is accepting nominations through its special website at www.meindustryawards.com. Nominees submit a short video outlining their qualifications. Retailers, installation technicians, vendors, distributors, and sales representatives have until November 14th to submit nominations.
 
Complete information on the Industry Awards, including rules, award descriptions, past winners, eligibility requirements, instructions and submissions can be found at www.meindustryawards.com.
 
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.
Media Contact:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
(978) 645-6434

 

North Andover, Mass., September 17, 2020 -- The Mobile Electronics Associaiton announced the last day to make your selections to recognize our best. Voting Ends Sunday, September 20, 2020!
 
It's your last chance to vote for all categories of the annual Mobile Electronics Industry Awards! Select your choices for finalists from the Top 50 Retailers, Top 50 Installers and Top 20 Sales pros, plus five retail performance categories.
 
And don't forget the Supplier Categories, Trusted Tech and Rookie of the Year!
 
 
 
North Andover, MA – April 20 , 2021 – Mobile Electronics Magazine features great information for Selling Vehicle Safety Systems for Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) brought to you from the Vision Zero Automotive Network.
 
Vision Zero is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of safety equipment in vehicles. Join us as we highlight these technologies and discuss sales strategies retailers can implement today.
 

Educate your clients on how they can protect themselves and their vehicles with dashcam and DVR systems.

Words by Dave MacKinnon

Equipping a car or truck with a dashcam or Digital Video Recording (DVR) system goes a long way toward improving how that vehicle is operated. Whether it’s for a personal application or in a corporate environment, if the driver knows everything he or she does is being recorded, the chances of aggressive or dangerous driving will be dramatically reduced. Better driving behavior directly translates into reduced accidents.

What is a Dashcam?

A dashcam is a compact digital video recording system designed to be mounted to the front windshield of a vehicle. These compact all-in-one systems have... Read the rest of the article HERE
 
[Click Here] to Read the Latest Mobile Electronics magazine Editor Forum in the Digital Magazine
 
What’s New for 2022?
If you’re considering getting involved in the Industry Awards, there’s no better time than the present
 
The Mobile Electronics Industry Awards comprises a months-long process to recognize and honor those in the industry who best exemplify the professionalism, business ethics, service and expertise we want consumers to notice when they do business with us.

Candidate companies and individuals submit video nominations and are narrowed to a list of finalists after a selection or voting process. In certain award categories, finalists submit material that’s judged by a select panel to determine a winner. In other categories, final voting tallies determine the winner. In past years, the awards ceremony has been held on the last day of KnowledgeFest in Dallas, hosted by the Mobile Electronics Association (MEA). But as you probably know by now, this coming year will see the industry’s return to Las Vegas.
 
Refreshing the awards process
Many in the industry have expressed a wish that the Industry Awards undergo a refresh. You let us know, and we listened. We’ve gathered a committee of past award winners in various categories to discuss the best way to evolve and to honor our industry participants. This fresh presentation of the Industry Awards allows for clear progression from one award to the next, further encouraging winners to continue pursuing excellence as they advance in their careers.

As part of this refresh, we’ve engaged some of the new committee members to help explain what’s new for 2022 via online video presentation. Kicking it off are Jeff Smith and Dean Beyett—both of whom have won Industry Awards in the past—to preview the changes. The entire video presentation can be found on the Mobile Electronics magazine Facebook page [Click Here]. To help us all stay on track and aware of our deadlines, we’ve created a clear timeline that’s now listed on the homepage at www.meindustryawards.com. In addition, the submission process has been refined to make it easier to create your submission and video. Most of the changes are related to the retailer and installer awards, with a couple of new awards for the vendor community.
 
Here’s a summary of the changes
The Installer of the Year will consist of one award with no runner-up. All of the questions for the initial video submission have also been streamlined and presented in order. We also reduced the number of years of experience required from five to two years.
 
The Trusted Tech will now be selected by the judges from the Top 50 Installers and no longer requires a separate nomination.
 
The Rookie of the Year Award will allow submissions for both installers and salespeople with up to two years of experience.
 
The Retailer of the Year will have two categories: Single Store and Multi-Store, with no runners-up.
 
Finally, Retailer Performance Awards will now be selected by the judges from the Top 12 Retailers. Alternates will be included in the selection. In the past, awards such as Best Online Presence and Best Customer Retention required their own nomination. This time, if you’re a retailer and you get picked into the Top 12—including alternates—when you make your second video, those questions will be included to allow the judges to recognize retailers who excel in specific areas.
 
For the Top Vendor Awards there are two new categories:
Lighting – products or technology related to lighting and appearance for automotive, marine, and power sports, lighting solutions.
 
OEM Integration – products or technology that integrates into an automobile’s electrical/data systems for audio, video, steering wheel control, remote start, and or any product or technology that allows for integration for an installed product.
 
Also, we will recognize the Top Vendor Support Technician who best exemplifies the characteristics of professionalism, service, and expertise, as voted by peers, staff and judges throughout the Industry Awards process.
 
All retailer awards will allow for self-nominations with a second, as well as blind nominations. Once you’ve been selected for Top 12 and Top 5, there will be a new outline and set of questions. Turn in your nominations by midnight on November 14 for consideration. On the deadline, all nominations must be received along with the videos. Be on the lookout for on the Top 50 and Top 20 announcements on December 3. We’ll make these announcements via video, and we’ll list them on the Industry Awards website.
 
Spread the Word at KnowledgeFest
KnowledgeFest Dallas will be held December 10-12. If you attend, you’ll get an additional ribbon to display on your badge that recognizes your place on the Top 50 or Top 20. This is a great way to encourage peers to vote for you during the event. Voting for that round ends on December 19 at midnight.
 
Recognition for the Committee
The Mobile Electronics Association would like to extend a special thank you to all the Industry Awards committee members for their time and contributions.
 
Dean Beyett: IOTY Runner Up 2020, Five Star Car Stereo, Clearwater, Fla. Top 12 Installer 2019. Top 5 Trusted Tech 2019.
 
Bryan Piper: Trusted Tech winner 2015. He was also a Top 50 Installer in 2015. He worked at Bay Area Audio Visions, Corpus Christi, Texas. Top 12 Installer in 2016 while at Resonance Auto Craft, Corpus Christi, Texas. He now works for Cerwin Vega and Diamond Audio.
 
Kris Bulla: Rep of the Year winner 2016, while working for DOW Electronics. He now works for Sony (Actionlink) and is the president of MECP.
 
Ata Ehdaivand: Top 50 Retailer 2016, Absolute Electronix, Rockville, Md. Trusted Tech winner 2017. Most Improved Store winner 2017. Top 12 Installer 2017, 2018. Top 12 Retailer 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. Best Online Presence winner 2019. Top 50 Installer 2019.
 
Elias Ventura: Sales Pro winner 2017 while working for Sound FX, Lewes, Del. He now works for HKI, SounDigital and Ground Zero.
 
Jayson Cook: Sales Pro winner 2019 Columbus Car Audio and Accessories, Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Car Audio and accessories, Best Customer Experience winner 2018.
 
Jason Kranitz: Two-time Retailer of the Year winner 2011 and 2017, Kingpin Car and Marine Audio. Retailer of the Year runner-up winner 2016. Top 12 Retailer 2015. Installer of the Year winner. Top 12 Installer 2015. Top 100 Installer 2014. Best Customer Experience winner 2017. Sales Pro winner 2020. Top 5 Sales Pro 2018.
 
Jeff Smith: Installer of the Year winner 2009.
 
We’ll explain the rest of the process as the Industry Awards roll out.
 
The Mobile Electronics Industry Awards will be presented on the last day of KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, February 18-20, 2022. See you there!

Copyright - Mobile Electronics Association 2020

Top Desktop version