Maciej Koper
This is the moment when the Polish flag flies over the global Hi-Fi industry. Adam Mokrzycki, the father of the Audio Video Show success, is the first organizer in history to receive the prestigious "Outstanding Achievement" award from SoundStage! Network. The verdict is clear: The Pole has "broken the system" and introduced our event to the global elite.
The awards given 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 distinction "Outstanding Achievement" is extremely elite. It goes 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 awarded to a equipment designer, but to the event organizer.
"We Broke the Mold for Him"
In the justification for the award, Doug Schneider, founder of SoundStage!, emphasized the uniqueness of this year's choice.
“We have never before awarded an Outstanding Achievement prize to a creator of the hi-fi show, but this year we’re breaking the mold – 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 in digital audio and creator of EMM Labs) and Dr. Sean Olive (a scientist responsible for acoustics research at Harman International). Mokrzycki's presence in this company is proof that event organization has risen to an art form crucial for the development of the market.
From Local Passion to Global Phenomenon
The editorial team appreciated the incredible journey that Audio Video Show has gone through under Mokrzycki's leadership. The event, which has already taken place 28 times, has transformed from a local event 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 only the area 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 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 the scale of the exhibition. This is obviously why Adam invited us – so we could experience it ourselves and share our impressions with the world” – recalls Doug Schneider.
This move turned out 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 trade fairs in Munich and 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 in Warsaw that giants like Sony, Philips, TCL, Hisense, and JVC showcase their flagship innovations (often presented for the first time in this part of Europe). We had the opportunity to experience this firsthand. As exhibitors, we were a part of this amazing atmosphere, educating visitors in the video zone. It was there that we conducted direct comparisons of calibrated and uncalibrated televisions, showing how much can be squeezed out of 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 organizer, Warsaw has become a must-visit destination on the calendar of the biggest producers and technology enthusiasts. The "Outstanding Achievement" award is the crowning of nearly three decades of work that – as the award presenters noted – "initially served the city and the country, and now serves the whole world." This distinction is a clear signal: the Polish industry does not need to have complexes, and the slogan "Poland on Top!" in this case is fully supported by facts.
We congratulate Adam Mokrzycki on this historic distinction, which is a source of pride for the entire Polish audio-visual industry.
Source: soundstagehifi.com
