COMMUNICATES
Mike Chorney of La Scala was grinning — he’d taken a finalist nod in a CEDIA Awards category for Best Integrated Home in the Americas region. Sure, it wasn’t a first-place win, but he waxed philosophical: “Glass is glass,” he said, hoisting his company’s award. “And we’ll be back stronger next year.” He’ll need to be, as the competition is tough. Dozens upon dozens of entries had been sifted through and judged on their various merits. With entries from 18 countries around the world, technology integrators, manufacturers, and distributors from the Asia Pacific, Americas, and EMEA regions were all vying for first place. Following rigorous technical assessment from the judging panels, it was time for the industry to gather together to find out who the winning companies were. First up was the Asia Pacific Awards ceremony.
AWARDS ALL ROUND
PUTTING THE “GREAT” IN INTEGRATE
Around 120 industry professionals attended the Asia Pacific awards ceremony on August 30 in Australia. Hosted immediately after Integrate 2017 in the Pan Pacific Hotel next door to the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, attendees enjoyed a cocktail reception before CEDIA announced the 11 winners. The event began with the two hosts, Wendy Griffiths, CEDIA’s VP of Global Development and Geoff Meads, Managing Director of Presto AV, celebrating what the awards stand for, and recognising that those who have won the awards are the best of the best. Queensland-based integrator, Digital Picture won the first award of the night: Best Home Cinema Level I. This was for a project that described as “an incredible installation for the price.” The second winner of the night, Electronic Living, was delighted to walk away with Best Home Cinema Level I, but it didn’t stop there for them, as they were back up on stage just a few minutes later when they were announced as the winner of Best Integrated Home Level III. Everyone enjoys the Best Dressed Rack category, especially when the winning rack is described as “artful.” Not only did Beijing-based integrator, Zene Private Theater get the credit they deserved for this piece of work, but they were also awarded Best Showroom, for a space that includes a karaoke demo room — something which would’ve gone down well at this awards celebration. The awards ceremony was certainly enjoyed by everyone who attended.
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