CEDIA Smart Home Awards: Insights from Judge Ian Bryant

Getting Started as a Judge

My journey with the CEDIA Smart Home Awards began in the late 2000s while I was working for Tri Phase, an Indianapolis-based company. Jeff Gardner, who had recently joined CEDIA’s education team, asked me to volunteer with CEDIA, which included teaching and writing technical manuals. As I became more involved in various activities, along came the invitation to join the awards judging panel. It was a great opportunity to be part of something meaningful.

In those early days, the judging process was a time-intensive endeavor. Entries were submitted via USB flash drives, with hundreds of individual PDFs and image files that judges had to sift through manually. Despite it being a lengthy process, I was excited when reviewing the industry's best work.

How Entries Have Evolved

Back then, everything was still analog – both video and audio. We were dealing with massive homes, sometimes 20,000 to 30,000 square feet, even in Indiana. But the displays and distributed video systems were much smaller due to cost and technology.

Today, the focus has expanded beyond luxury to include quality, functionality, and user experience. It’s no longer just about high-end aesthetics. We’re assessing the impact on the homeowner’s life, how the system integrates, and whether it meets industry standards.

This shift has led to the establishment of clearer judging criteria. In the past, we did have things like the ISF and HAA that had training programs and guidelines, but there really was not a globally unified recommended practice like what CEDIA has developed in the past 5-10years. Now, with RP22 and RP23, we can objectively evaluate entries based on defined performance metrics.

The Importance of Documentation

One of the most common criticisms of the awards is the extensive documentation required, but this as an essential part of the process.

The documentation we ask for should already exist if the project was done to industry standards. We’re not asking integrators to create new documents – they should have these materials from the beginning.

Outside of the reflected ceiling plans and floor plans, a lot of the documentation can be done in an Excel spreadsheet – we don’t expect every company to be able to have an on-hand CAD engineer or the budget to pay for one. As long as the document shows inputs and outputs, how everything is interconnected, and how it should be functioning, then we don’t mind how it is presented.

Some companies may find it daunting, but this documentation is crucial for professionalism and future maintenance. Even for small jobs, having a baseline of documentation is vital. And for companies entering for the first time, going through this process often helps them improve their internal standards.

Favorite Categories to Judge

As a longtime programmer and integration specialist, my favorite category to judge is Integrated Home. I love when a company presents a unique solution to a client’s problem. It’s not just about listing the number of audio and video zones – it’s about demonstrating how the system was customized to enhance the homeowner’s experience.

One of the most exciting aspects of judging is observing how smart home technology differs across regions.

Judging international projects allows us to see diverse approaches. For example, in Asia Pacific, we’ve seen a major push toward high-end technology and top-tier craftsmanship. In contrast, U.S. projects often emphasize functionality and integration within existing design aesthetics.

Additionally, labor costs influence project budgets. A project in India might appear to be a $10 million job in the U.S., but due to lower labor costs, it’s significantly less expensive. As judges, we have to keep these factors in mind.

Over the years, I have become a stricter judge – I have less patience for entries that cut corners. If someone submits a $600,000 home cinema and doesn’t include a proper calibration report, that’s unacceptable. High-end projects should meet the highest standards. This meticulous approach ensures that the awards maintain credibility and uphold industry excellence.

Recommendations for Entrants

For those looking to enter the CEDIA Smart Home Awards, my advice is:

Do’s:

1. Provide Comprehensive Documentation – More is always better. Judges appreciate thorough documentation, and outstanding submissions may even be recognized with an Excellence in Documentation award.
2. Include Behind-the-Scenes Photos – High-quality marketing photos are beneficial, especially if you become a finalist or winner, but judges also love seeing wiring, equipment racks, and infrastructure. The craftsmanship behind the scenes tells us a lot about the overall quality.
3. Highlight Custom Solutions – If you developed a unique integration, showcase it. Whether it's a custom user interface or an innovative automation feature, demonstrate how you solved a problem for the client.

Don’ts:

1. Don’t Skimp on Documentation – Claims like “this project didn’t need a pull schedule” don’t hold up. If wires were pulled, there should be a schedule.
2. Don’t Submit Settings Adjustments as Calibration Reports – A photo of a TV settings menu isn’t a calibration report. True calibration requires professional tools and documentation.
3. Don’t Hide Imperfections – Judges can tell when an entry strategically avoids showing problematic areas. Transparency and honesty go a long way.

Looking Ahead to the 2025 Entries

I am eager to see entries that push boundaries – projects that immediately capture attention with their ingenuity. I am particularly drawn to submissions where it’s evident that something truly new has been achieved. Whether it’s a never-before-seen integration, a seamless user experience, or a bold new approach, these are the types of entries that stand out as clear winners.

Additionally, I am excited about the Best Assisted Living Project category as these projects allow integrators to go beyond aesthetics and convenience to truly enhance clients' well-being. Last year, we saw an exceptional entry that provided customized solutions for a client with medical needs, demonstrating how technology can be life changing.

If you want to enter the 2025 CEDIA Smart Home Awards, visit www.cedia.org/awards. The CEDIA Smart Home Awards program will remain open for entries until April 11 for Integrator categories and June 6 for Business, Individual, and Manufacturer Product categories. The early bird deadline for Manufacturer Product categories is May 6, 2025.