Nominations will open for select retail performance and vendor awards

NORTH ANDOVER, MASS., May 9, 2018 (MEDIAWIRE) – Mobile Electronics® magazine, the industry’s premier trade publication, announced it will kick off the first phase of the Mobile Electronics Industry Awards on May 16. At that time, the publication will begin accepting nominations for several retail performance awards, as well as awards for vendors, rep firms, distributors and expeditors. Nominations for Retailer of the Year, Installer of the Year, Salesperson of the Year and Trusted tech will begin later.

The split nomination process is a change from last year, in which all awards began nominations simultaneously. The new format will attract a higher number of participants and enable candidates to focus on creating quality submissions.

“It’s no secret that our Retailer of the Year and Installer of the Year awards garner the most attention during the awards process,” said Solomon Daniels, editor-in-chief of Mobile Electronics and awards coordinator. “But we know there are quality stores, companies and individuals in other categories who perform at a high level and will make excellent examples for other industry professionals to follow. We want to give these categories a spotlight of their own so that the candidates, and ultimately the winners, get the recognition they deserve.”

Also new this year is a realignment of the Top Vendor awards. As product categories shift toward after-the-head-unit solutions, recreational applications and a blending of vehicle sensing and notification technology, the categories have adjusted to reflect the changes.

Held annually, the Mobile Electronics Industry Awards recognize the best of the industry. Candidate companies and individuals submit video nominations and are narrowed to a list of finalists after a selection and/or voting process. In certain award categories, finalists submit materials that are then judged by a select panel to determine a winner. In other categories, final voting tallies determine the winner. All winners are announced at a special awards ceremony, held the last day of the Mobile Electronics Association (MEA) KnowledgeFest tradeshow and conference in Dallas. This year’s awards ceremony will take place August 19 at the Dallas Convention Center.

On May 16, Mobile Electronics will open nominations for the following award categories:

Retail Performance Awards

  • Most Improved Location or Chain
  • Best Online Presence
  • Best Customer Retention Program
  • Best Customer Experience
  • Best Store Culture (New for 2018)
  • Rookie of the Year

Vendor Awards

  • Distributor of the Year
  • Expeditor of the Year
  • Representative of the Year
  • Rep Firm of the Year
  • Top Vendor – Safety, Security and Driver Assistance
  • Top Vendor – Autosound and Processing
  • Top Vendor – Infotainment and Multimedia
  • Top Vendor – Powersports and Marine
  • Top Vendor – Accessories and Materials

For each award, candidates must submit a video based on the specifications listed under each award category at meindustryawards.com. All video submissions are due May 28. Visit meindustryawards.com to view submission requirements and awards updates throughout the process, and sign up to the Hotwire newsletter at me-mag.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.