​Fukuda has a storied and colorful history in the automotive aftermarket. As a car audio competitor, he holds the record for six consecutive world championships as well as 12 SPL (sound pressure level) records and 11 national championships from various competition organizations. His award-winning 1989 Chevy Astro van has become an icon in competitive circles. Achieving Master-level certification from MECP (Mobile Electronics Certified Professionals) in 1995, Fukuda has won numerous awards including Installer of the Year for Car Stereo Review, USACi (Unites States Autosound Competition International), and other publications.

​Fukuda’s continued creative mastery and willingness to share knowledge led to a substantial career path, founding a retail store, installation training facility, and home theater building service. He later spent five years with Rockford Corporation before venturing into sales representation and distribution, leading to his current role as president and CEO of Wave Electronics.

Fukuda will be joined at MasterTech Expo by the same vehicle that put him on so many winning stages and magazine covers. The iconic Rockford Fosgate®-themed Astro van, which Fukuda is currently modernizing with custom-built modifications, will be on display in front of Rockford Fosgate’s booth.

“Words don’t describe the sheer impact Mark has had on this industry,” said Bryan Schmitt, CEO, and founder of MasterTech Expo. “Despite his success, he has always been willing to take guys aside and offer his advice and experience. The personal effect on many professionals in our industry, myself included, has provided us direction, drive, and purpose. We are so deeply honored to have him at our inaugural event.”

“Our hyper-focused tracks will take complicated processes, break them down, and teach them to attendees at an accelerated pace,” said Schmitt.

“The goal is to have interior pros learn new skills and techniques that they can take back to their shops.”

1. Modern Tech:
In this triple-threat workshop, participants learn the most important elements of automotive electrical, in-vehicle acoustics and fabrication fundamentals to bring an enhanced level of productivity and profitability into a retail shop. It’s stacked full of those important, secret nuggets of information that otherwise take years of experience to acquire. It’s where the rubber hits the road in professional 12 volt installation. Sessions: Automotive Acoustics, 12 Volt Installation, Fabrication Fundamentals, Upholstery

2. School of Fab:
This training track is where participants learn 3D panel styling methods from world-class fabricators. These highly advanced techniques include upholstery and texturing tricks to ensure continuity with the look and feel of modern interior surfaces. It’s how to take your fabrication work to a whole new elevated level of fit, finish and serviceability. Sessions: Advanced Fabrication, 3D Router Panel, Advanced Upholstery, Paint Finishing

3. Master Design:
Every great vehicle interior starts with a solid design. In this course path, the elements of starting a design, working from a plan of execution and then mixing in the benefits of automation and CAD software are all covered in depth. The use of technology will skyrocket a shop’s profitability and repeatability. Learn from the experts and enter a new dimension of creativity in your interior design work. Sessions: Conceptual Design, CAD Software, Reverse Engineering, Automation CNC Laser

4. The Business of Small Business:
Any successful business needs to focus on being profitable, process-driven and able to use the tools of technology to outpace their competitors. This course path covers all of the business elements that help a retailer create and maintain that world class image which resonates so well with high-end clientele. Learn how to forecast labor times and costs so your business is working at its most peak efficiency. Sessions: Business Development, Project Planning, The Balance Sheet, Getting the Right Customer

Event Details
MasterTech Expo will take place on March 6 – 9, 2022 at Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Arizona.

​MasterTech Expo takes place at the Mesa Convention Center. The collaborative event includes hyper-focused, professional-grade education workshops to meet skillsets of all levels in the electrical, upholstery, fabrication, design and automation disciplines of aftermarket automotive interiors and customization. World-class leaders in their specific areas of expertise lead the instruction of each workshop series. MasterTech Expo offers four distinct workshop trajectories, each with multiple sessions that build upon one another for maximum learning and retention. There is a series of learning workshops for every skill set and discipline, whether an automotive interior trimmer, 12 volt car audio installer, custom vehicle builder, automotive designer, fabricator, aftermarket automotive business owner and more.
 
In addition to the learning focus, select manufacturers, service providers and industry influencers are invited to exhibit and share their technologies and application experience with the attendees. A wide variety of exhibitors from 12 volt electronics and audio to fabrication tools, upholstery and automation ensure a balanced approach and broad exposure to all important facets of the aftermarket automotive segment working on vehicle interior customization.
 
A unique highlight at MasterTech Expo is a two-team build off competition in which of experienced builders, along with some attendees, each dive in for a hands-on build of application-based projects that takes place over the duration of the event. “This is one of the most effective methods to both show techniques and demonstrate how to think in a production mindset. It just adds a whole new level of engagement” adds Schmitt. MasterTech in-person training has historically involved one or more hands-on builds by the program instructors while the combined process of classroom and shop-based learning are in progress.
 
More detailed information can be found here the official event website, MasterTechExpo.com. You will find workshop descriptions, hotel information, event schedule, cost to attend, event registration and so much more.

​While the event’s exhibit spaces are largely sold out, interested exhibitors can contact info@mastertechexpo.com for more information.