It’s early April, and the CMA Expo has taken place at the Toronto Congress Center for the second year. Like other industry events, this show aims to bring together car audio manufacturers, distributors and retailers from across Canada. They learn about new products, expand their knowledge and network with like-minded professionals. If a manufacturer, distributor or retailer is serious about car audio in Canada, they will attend this event.
Call it a tease, if you will. Still, unfortunately for car audio and vehicle enhancement enthusiasts, the CMA Expo is an industry-only event that is not open to the public. Nevertheless, this will give you a small behind-the-curtain glimpse into Canada’s car audio and vehicle accessory industry. Of course, the U.S. works similarly, and several trade-only events are held annually.
Gemsen Distribution
As attendees entered the show, they ran into the Gemsen Distribution booth. Gemsen is the Canadian distributor for KICKER, JL Audio, AudioControl, Morel, Precision Power, Viper, Clarion, Atrend and Boss, to name a few.
Importel Limited
Another amazing distributor is Importel. With warehouse locations in Ontario and Alberta, they represent ARC Audio, Audiofrog, Wavtech, Powerbass, Soundigital and Ground Zero, db Drive, Mobile Solutions, Soundshield, JK Tapes, VAIS, Cerwin-Vega, RDV Automotive Solutions, Accele, FAST by Tury and many more amazing brands.
Trends Electronics International
Trends Electronics is headquartered in British Columbia. They distribute Focal, Mosconi, Exile, Wet Sounds, Cicada Audio, MTX, Race Sport Lighting and iConnects.
AutoMobility
One of the most significant presences at the CMA Expo for a second year was AutoMobilty from Montreal, Quebec. AutoMobility is the Canadian distributor for more product lines than we have space to print. Nevertheless, the key brands include Rockford Fosgate, Audison, Hertz, Memphis, ODX, Dynamat, Wirez, iDatalink/iDatastart, MyCar, BlackVue and ZZ2.
Dix Performance
Headquartered in Edmonton, Alberta, Dix Performance is best known for its automotive performance parts and accessories. Their mobile electronic offerings include respected names like Lucas Lighting, Diamond Audio, Brandmotion, Blaupunkt, Hushmat and Husky.
Fortin Electronic Systems
Based in Anjou, Quebec, Fortin Electronic Systems offers remote car starters, security systems and telematics for a variety of cars, trucks and SUVs.
Pioneer Electronics
One of the most recognized head unit brands in the industry is Pioneer. They’ve offered complete car audio solutions for more than 70 years.
Metra Electronics
If ever there were a brand synonymous with car audio, it would be Metra. From their dash kits and wire harness adapters to the AXXESS line of interface modules, most radio upgrades across Canada and the U.S. use their solutions.
Stinger Electronics
Formerly known as AAMP of America, Stinger Electronics was on hand to demonstrate its PAC audio integration solutions, HEIGH10 source units and enLIGHT10 illumination solutions.
Sony Car Audio
Sony, the powerhouse in the realm of car audio source units, amplifiers and speakers, displayed a pair of cars in its booth to showcase the Mobile ES and GS product lines.
Alpine Electronics
Alpine is another brand synonymous with car audio. Both Alpine and Sony are distributed in Canada by Gentec International from Markham, Ontario. Alpine’s booth featured the amazing Tesla Model S with the whole F#1Status system.
JVCKenwood
Some might not know, but JVC and Kenwood merged into a single company a few years back. The Canadian team had the Kenwood car audio, powersports, motorcycle and marine products on display. Outdoing the Kubota tractor they had in their booth at last year’s show, they had a go-kart equipped with four speakers and a Bluetooth-equipped powersports amplifier on display this year. No, we begged, but no rides were given.
SiriusXM
The gang from SiriusXM Canada played a big part in making the 2024 CMA Expo great. They sponsored the industry party that featured Blue Silver and Radio Sonics playing live, along with DJ Splinter spinning late into the night.
Erikson Consumer
The guys from Erikson Consumer were on hand to show off some of their products, including JBL and Infinity solutions and new offerings from Massive Audio.
Industry Training
Touring the show floor to learn about new products is a key part of the event, as are the training sessions. Each distributor had a packed schedule of brand-specific sessions to bring dealers up to speed on new products and technologies. There were also special presentations on DSP sales by Rob Haynes from JL Audio, sales training techniques by Ken Ward, store fixtures and design by Jody Culbertson and advanced fabrication techniques by Bryan Schmitt from Mobile Solutions and Shon Besharah of 6Thirteen Auto Design and Wake 1 Design.
Training Is the Key to Success
The CMA Expo is the only industry-wide training event in Canada, and it’s the focal point of the start of the car audio season. Dealers who attend the event will be better informed about solutions for car, motorcycle, marine and powersports audio system upgrades. Other categories like lighting, remote start, security, telematics and vehicle tracking help their clients receive the best upgrades.
If you’re shopping for vehicle upgrades in Canada, ask the dealer you’re visiting if they attended the CMA Expo. Their dedication to learning can tell you a lot about the solutions they offer and their expertise in integrating them reliably.
