Maciej Koper
This is the moment when the Polish flag waves over the global Hi-Fi industry. Adam Mokrzycki, the father of the Audio Video Show success, is the first organiser in history to receive the prestigious "Outstanding Achievement" award from SoundStage! Network. The verdict is clear: a Pole has "broken the system" and brought our event into the global elite.
The awards presented by SoundStage! Network are an annual summary of the best in the audio world. While the “Product of the Year” category is broad, the individual honour “Outstanding Achievement” is extremely elite. It is awarded to individuals who have permanently changed the face of the industry through their work. This year, for the first time in history, this statuette is awarded not to a equipment designer, but to the event organiser.
"We broke the mould for him"
In the justification for the award, Doug Schneider, founder of SoundStage!, highlighted the uniqueness of this year's selection.
“We have never awarded a prize for Outstanding Achievement by a hi-fi show creator before, but this year we break the mould – because Adam Mokrzycki, a resident of Warsaw, certainly deserves it” – reads the official statement.
This recognition places the Pole alongside technology giants. In this year's edition (2025), the awards were also received by Edmund Meitner (a legend of digital audio and creator of EMM Labs) and Dr Sean Olive (a scientist responsible for acoustic research at Harman International). Mokrzycki's presence in this company is proof that event organisation has grown into an art form crucial for the development of the market.
From local passion to a global phenomenon
The editorial team appreciated the incredible journey that Audio Video Show has undergone under Mokrzycki's leadership. The event, which has taken place 28 times, has transformed from a local gathering into one of the largest exhibitions of its kind in the world. Currently, the fair occupies three strategic locations in Warsaw: PGE Narodowy, and the Radisson Blu Sobieski and Golden Tulip hotels. However, it is not just the size that determined the award, but the mission that Mokrzycki consistently pursues: opening the Polish market to the world.
Breakthrough Year 2016
In the justification for the award, a key moment was mentioned that changed the perception of Poland on the global audio map. In 2016, Adam Mokrzycki personally invited a group of leading journalists from the USA, Canada, and other countries to see for themselves what was happening in Warsaw.
“None of us had been to the Audio Video Show before (...). Once we were there, we were astonished by the professionalism and size of the exhibition. This is obviously why Adam invited us – so we could experience it for ourselves and share our impressions with the world” – recalls Doug Schneider.
This move turned out to be a bullseye. Since then, the number of international exhibitors and visitors has steadily increased, and the Warsaw event is mentioned in the same breath as the largest fairs in Munich and the USA.
Not Just Audio – Global Video Zone
The success of the event is not just about speakers and amplifiers. As the name suggests – Audio Video Show – this event has become a key presentation venue for the imaging industry. It is here in Warsaw that giants like Sony, Philips, TCL, Hisense, and JVC showcase their flagship innovations (often premiered in this part of Europe). We had the opportunity to experience this firsthand. As exhibitors, we were part of this incredible atmosphere, educating visitors in the video zone. It was there that we conducted direct comparisons of calibrated TVs with uncalibrated ones, demonstrating how much can be extracted from modern screens. The fact that such advanced workshops and premieres take place under one roof is a testament to the unique character of the event created by Adam Mokrzycki.
Thanks to the consistent efforts of the organiser, Warsaw has become a must-visit destination in the calendar of the biggest producers and technology enthusiasts. The “Outstanding Achievement” award is the culmination of nearly three decades of work, which – as noted by the award givers – “initially served the city and the country, and now serves the whole world.” This distinction is a clear signal: the Polish industry need not have complexes, and the slogan “Poland on Top!” in this case is fully supported by the facts.
Congratulations to Adam Mokrzycki on this historic recognition, which is a source of pride for the entire Polish audio-visual industry.
