Reviewed: CEDIA Region 1 Awards 2014

"I've been to many CEDIA Awards, but nothing this classy." So said (more or less) CEDIA's 2014 Executive Committee chairman Larry Pexton as he mingled with the cream of the CEDIA Region 1 custom install crowd during the AMX drinks reception, held in the grounds of the Old Royal Navy College, Greenwich.

Pexton, president of Triad Speakers, was on a flying visit to the UK for the event. It's easy to see why he was impressed. The CEDIA Region 1 team has a predilection for pomp and circumstance, and things really don't get much grander than a soiiree held at this World Heritage Site. The organisers had pulled out all the stops. Then found some more stops and pulled them out too.

Unsurprisingly the ceremony, held in the Painted Hall of Greenwich Hospital, was a sell-out. CEDIA chairman Kris Hogg provided the opening address. "All the projects which made the short-list demonstrated great integration at a system and design level, whilst the winners show an extra dimension in creativity, innovation and wow factor that really sets them apart," he said. "We would like to thank all companies who have taken the time and effort to enter, the quality bar has been raised for the years ahead."

The actual award giving was preceded by an extensive prize draw, generously supported with gifts donated from across the industry.

The host for the night was comedian and impersonator Jon Culshaw, star of BBC's Dead Ringers. Culshaw did a sterling job driving the event along, battling with the generally appalling acoustics of the venue and keeping the audience on side. He also brought his unique talents to bear, dropping pitch perfect impersonations of those collecting awards, based purely on one or two words of conversation. His Gary Lewis was uncanny!

This year's awards, sponsored by AMX, Merit LILIN, Kaleidescape and Rako, attracted over 150 entries from 16 different countries, all competing for the best media room, home cinema, integrated home, super yacht and other category prizes. It turned out to be a banner year for UK custom installers, as the home crowd dominated nearly every category - an extraordinary showing.

Journalist Chris Haslam won the media-only award for the Best Technology Feature, following his work in Homes and Gardens magazine. The evening closed with Mike Beatty, managing director of Pulse Marketing, receiving the CEDIA Lifetime Achievement Award. He was also rewarded with a standing ovation. Shortly afterwards, celebrations moved from the Grand hall to an after-party in the Undercroft of the Old Royal Naval College hosted by AWE and HDanywhere. It was, in short, a most splendid affair in every sense.

CEDIA Region 1 award winners in full:
Best Media Room under £15,000
Winner: Cornflake (UK)             

Best Media Room over £15,000
Winner: Philharmonic Audio Visual (UK)
Highly Commended: Bespoke Home Cinemas (UK)                      

Best Home Cinema under £40,000
Winner: ET Home Cinema (UK)    

Best Home Cinema £40,000 - £100,000
Winner: Finite Solutions (UK)                    

Best Home Cinema over £100,000
Winner: Smartcomm (UK)        
Highly Commended: T&T Automation (UK)                                  

Best Integrated Home under £100,000
Winner: James & Giles (UK)          
Highly Commended: ISIS Integrated Systems (UK)

Best Integrated Home £100,000 - £250,000
Winner: Grahams Hi-Fi (UK)
Highly Commended: Lifestyle Technologies (Cyprus)

Best Integrated Home over £250,000
Winner: SMC (UK)
Highly Commended: Andrew Lucas Limited (UK)

Best Lighting Scheme over £25,000
Winner: Andrew Lucas Limited (UK)

Best Yacht Installation:
Winner:Sensory International (UK)
Highly Commended: Sensory International (UK)

Best Multiple Scheme for a Property Developer
Winner: The Next Level (UK)
Highly Commended: Perfect Integration (UK)

Best Innovative Solution
Winner: Andrew Lucas Limited (UK)

Best Dressed Rack (pictured above)
Winner: Sona Projects (UK)

Best Energy Management Solution:
Winner: Face to Face Digital (UK)

Best Training Initiative by a Trade Supplier (pictured above)
Winner: AWE (UK), Philips Dynalite Training Course

Best Showroom
Winner: Cornflake (UK), No. 41 Windmill Street

Best Innovative Product
Winner: HD Connectivity (UK), HDanywhere Modular 4K

Best Trade Supplier
Winner: Habitech

Best Technology Feature
Winner: Chris Haslam

Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Mike Beatty

Inside CI is an official media partner for the CEDIA Region 1 Awards 2014. Inside CI Editor Steve May is a CEDIA Awards judge 2014.
For more on the work of CEDIA visit our resource page here.

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