Mobile Electronics magazine presented its 2019 annual awards to a packed hall of hundreds of industry members and leaders, capping a trade conference considered by many in attendance as the largest to date. Some called it “reminiscent of the North Hall in CES back in the old days.”
The Retailer of the Year Award for a Single Store went to Sound FX, Lewes, DE. (Owner Brian Layton is shown above accepting the award).
This year Canada swept some of the top awards with Installer of the Year going to Tim Baille of Trick Factory Customs based in Maple Ridge, BC (he was not present to accept the award).
Also from Canada was the winner for Store Chain of the Year, Certified Autosound, Abbotsford, BC and the runner up for Store Chain of the Year, Soundsgood Auto, Coquitlam, BC.
The runner up for Installer of the Year Award went to Matt Vowell of Mobile Toys, College Station, TX.
Taking the Trusted Tech of the Year Award was Nicholas Frazier of Innovative Concepts, West Springfield, MA.
The Sales Pro of the Year Award went to Jayson Cook of Columbus Car Audio, Columbus, OH.
VOXX won the Vendor of the Year Award and DOW Electronics won the Distributor of the Year Award.
Winning the Career Achievement Award this year was Kimon Bellas, President of Orca Dseign & Manufacturing, who helped create the high end speaker market in the US. Nick Wingate National Trainer for Orca, who knew Bellas since 1988, spoke on his behalf. He gave an impassioned tribute to Bellas’ generosity and kindness, noting that when the Wingate family lost its 100 year old business due to a hurricane in 2005, Bellas created a job just for Wingate out of friendship. “He is generous, kind and one of the most loving people that I have meet in my life,” said Wingate.
Titan Motoring of Nashville took home several awards including Expeditor of the Year, Best Store Experience and Best Store Culture.
Winning the award for Sales Rep of the Year was Jon Brothers of Metra Electronics.
For more award winners see Mobile Electronics magazine.
