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: The 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 world of audio. While the 'Product of the Year' category is broad, the individual distinction '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 not going to a hardware designer, but to the event organiser.
"We’ve broken the mould for him"
In the justification for the award, Doug Schneider, founder of SoundStage!, emphasised the uniqueness of this year's selection.
“We have never before awarded an Outstanding Achievement award to a hi-fi show creator, but this year we’re breaking the mould – because Adam Mokrzycki, a resident of Warsaw, certainly deserves it” – reads the official statement.
This distinction places the Pole alongside technology giants. In this year's edition (2025), the awards were also given to Edmund Meitner (a legend of digital audio and founder of EMM Labs) and Dr Sean Olive (a scientist responsible for acoustics research at Harman International). Mokrzycki's presence in this company is evidence that the organisation of events has reached the status of an art form crucial to the development of the market.
From Local Passion to Global Phenomenon
The editorial team appreciated the incredible journey that Audio Video Show has undergone under Mokrzycki's leadership. An event that has been held 28 times has transformed from a local occasion 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 was 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 highlighted that changed the perception of Poland on the world 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 (...). Upon arrival, we were amazed by the professionalism and size of the exhibition. This is obviously the reason why Adam invited us – so we could experience it ourselves and share our impressions with the world” – recalls Doug Schneider.
This move proved to be a home run. Since then, the number of foreign exhibitors and visitors has been steadily increasing, and the Warsaw event is mentioned in the same breath as the largest fairs in Munich or the USA.
Not just Audio – the 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 space for the image industry. It is here in Warsaw that flagship innovations (often showcased for the first time in this part of Europe) are presented by giants such as Sony, Philips, TCL, Hisense, and JVC. We had the opportunity to experience this first-hand. 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 and uncalibrated televisions, demonstrating how much can be extracted from modern screens. The fact that such advanced workshops and premieres take place under one roof speaks to the unique character of the event created by Adam Mokrzycki.
Thanks to the consistent work of the organiser, Warsaw has become a must-visit destination on the calendars of the largest producers and technology enthusiasts. The "Outstanding Achievement" award is the crowning achievement of nearly three decades of work, which – as noted by the award presenters – "initially served the city and the country, and now serves the whole world." This honour is a clear signal: the Polish industry need not feel inferior, and the slogan "Poland is Great!" in this case is fully supported by the facts.
We congratulate Adam Mokrzycki on this historic recognition, which is a source of pride for the entire Polish audio-visual industry.
Source: soundstagehifi.com
