Nurturing an Industry of Support and Inspiration
KnowledgeFest Las Vegas continues to demonstrate the industry’s determination to grow and thrive.
Words by Rosa Sophia
The 2026 Industry Awards took place in the Horseshoe Hotel at KnowledgeFest Las Vegas, where Chris Cook, president of Mobile Electronics Association, offered words of advice to retailers who might be struggling. He recommended choosing three things to focus on post-KnowledgeFest. “Think about what you’d like to implement. Focus on what you feel would give you the greatest benefit, and let this help your business. Follow it throughout the year.” But don’t try to do too much at once, he said, adding that this can lead to frustration and overwhelm. Most of all, take time for family and friends. “Don’t spend all your time in your business. Spend time with your family and your friends. Lastly, rely on others for help and encouragement—which is what KnowledgeFest is all about.” He also made mention of how many times since the 1980s people have claimed the industry won’t survive: “We’re still here. Not only are we here, but we’re thriving and we’re looking for opportunities for growth.”
When he announced the Top 5 Sales Reps, Cook called the winner to the stage. Mike Blackwell of DOW Technologies went to the podium to accept his award. During his remarks, he noted that a person only has two choices: You can get better, or you can get worse. “But you never stay the same,” he said, adding, “Tonight, we’re all here [because we want to] get better.”
Build a Healthy Business, a Place Where People Want to Be
This year’s Retailer of the Year is Draper, Utah-based Laketown Speed and Sound, featured on this month’s cover. On the final afternoon of KnowledgeFest, John Mueller co-taught a workshop with Angel Rivera, his business partner and installation manager at Laketown Speed and Sound. The class, “Building the Dream Team: Hiring and Leading a High-Performance Car Audio Crew,” presented hiring strategies and how to avoid common pitfalls.
During the class, Mueller said it’s essential to have a cohesive team—a team which inspires confidence. “The average time on the job for our employees right now is nine and a half years,” he said. “We have a system in place that’s designed around retention and career building.”
A shop is only as strong as its team, Rivera noted. “Everyone has to be on the same page. Good hiring equals fewer comebacks, better customer service and higher profits. If you have a system in place, all this will fall in line.” When a business is operating as it should, there’s no need to worry about what the competition is doing, he added. “We don’t worry about other shops in our area.” Instead, when support is needed, Rivera said he reaches out to industry colleagues.
During the presentation, Rivera and Mueller discussed how to evaluate the skills of a potential employee and how to build a workplace that people want to be involved in. They stressed the importance of enjoying one’s work, stating, “If you focus on the money, you’ll never make enough.” The more important thing, Rivera said, is store culture. If the store culture is nurtured, the money will come.
Rivera also said that he’d rather hire someone without skills and train them, instead of hiring someone who has skills but brings bad habits into the business. When a person comes in asking for a job, he said, “How do they present themselves? What were they doing before? Are they professional [in their presentation]?” He also discussed the traits of a good installer and a skilled salesperson, like being a team player who is proactive and lends support to one’s teammates. For example, instead of simply doing nothing when there’s no project in the bay, a person might organize a shelf or clean up an area without being asked.
During the class, an audience member asked, “How do you handle it when someone isn’t a good fit? You’ve tried to develop them [but you need to let them go].” Rivera said Laketown Speed and Sound hasn’t been in this position recently, but he advised cutting ties as quickly as possible. Mueller suggested putting a process in place for discipline, with a verbal warning for first offence, a written warning for second offence and after a third incident, cutting ties. He also advised seeking employees via high schools or trade schools, noting that a current Laketown team member originally came in as an intern from a high school.
During an interview, Mueller said there are two essential questions that should be asked: “Are you good with people? If someone looks you in the eye and you can meet them face to face, you get an idea of whether or not they’re good with people. Do you have a passion for automobiles or car audio? If you get someone with these two traits, it’s likely you’ll have a successful hire.”
Focused on Doing Better
When Mueller joined his team on stage to accept the Retailer of the Year award, he began by thanking his colleagues. “We call ourselves the dream team. Everyone is here to support one another. When you have that confidence, it feels amazing to [interact with] customers and know you’ll be able to do exactly what you say you can do.” Mueller also acknowledged other retailer finalists, noting, “You offer moral support, and also great ideas and ways to improve. We thank you for that.”
T.J. Carlson of Portland, Ore.-based Musicar Northwest took home the award for Installer of the Year, thanking his employer, Tom Miller, “for consistently inspiring me to do better.” He also thanked his fellow teammates at Musicar for supporting him and creating a nurturing work environment committed to helping employees grow. “Congratulations to all of the other finalists who put themselves out there,” he said, before he thanked everyone present who continues to inspire him, as well as his family, wife and children: “Thank you for your love, support and words of encouragement every year. Receiving this award has been a goal of mine for many years.”
As the ceremony ended, Cook added a word of support to everyone who participated: “You competed. Keep working at it.” He encouraged everyone to look forward to the nominations for 2027, which will begin in the summer. In August, the annual Mobile Electronics Hall of Fame awards will take place in Detroit, Michigan, he said, adding, “[You can] nominate someone who deserves recognition.” Visit www.meindustryawards.com for more information.
Keep Pushing Forward
At the Industry Awards, some of those who took to the stage offered encouragement and support to their colleagues. SONY’s Kris Bulla said, “Keep pushing forward. Keep getting better.”
Conrad Leduc of Sudbury Car Audio, whose store took home the award for Most Improved Store or Chain, said self-improvement is key. “Training makes you better, and it works. I came from a small store. It started at home, and we just had our first million-dollar season. Keep growing, keep training and train other people. Help the industry grow. That’s what it’s all about.”
Meghan Watson took home the Rookie of the Year Award. On stage, she said, “Being the first woman to receive the Rookie of the Year award is both humbling and empowering. I’m deeply grateful to my mentors, family, friends and every single person at Vernon’s Signature Audio who challenged me, believed in me and encouraged me.” Her colleagues, she said, strengthened her confidence and reminded her of the power of community—“but also the power of our individual authenticity when we support each other. We redefine what success looks like for the next generation,” she said, adding, “I’m ready for whatever comes next.”
Winners
Installer of the Year
T.J. Carlson – Musicar Northwest – Portland, Ore.
Retailer of the Year
Laketown Speed and Sound – Draper, Utah
Sales Pro Award Winner
Parker Lopez – Car Stereo One – Toledo, Ohio
Trusted Tech Award Winner
Fernando ‘Nando’ Lopez – Five Star Car Stereo – Clearwater, Fla.
Rookie of the Year
Meghan Watson – Vernon’s Signature Audio – Lubbock, Texas
Most Improved Store or Chain
Sudbury Car Audio – Val Therese, Ontario
Best Online Presence
Traffic Jams Motorsports – Buford, Ga.
Best Customer Retention Program
KarTele Mobile Electronics – Waterbury, Conn.
Best Customer Experience
Traffic Jams Motorsports – Buford, Ga.
Best Store Culture
Traffic Jams Motorsports – Buford, Ga.
Customer Choice Award – Installer
Austin Moore – Team Witt Customs – Nashville, Tenn.
Customer Choice Award – Sales
Jeremy “Taco” Patterson – Speakerbox Autosound and Accessories – Huntsville, Ala.
Customer Choice Award – Retailer
Speakerbox Autosound and Accessories – Huntsville, Ala.
Expeditor of the Year
Titan Motoring
Distributor of the Year
DOW Technologies
Rep Firm of the Year
12 Volt Specialist
Sales Rep of the Year
Mike Blackwell – DOW Technologies
Top Vendor Support Tech
Jason Ewing – Firstech
Vendor of the Year
Kicker
Top Vendor: Autosound & Processing
SONY
Top Vendor: Security, Safety and Driver Assistance
Firstech (Compustar, Drone Mobile. Momento)
Top Vendor: Accessories and Materials
Metra Electronics
Top Vendor: Infotainment & Multimedia
SONY
Top Vendor: Marine
Kicker
Top Vendor: Motorcycle & Powersports
Cicada Audio
Top Vendor: OEM Integration
ADS (iDatalink Maestro)
Top Vendor: Lighting
Lucas Lighting
