By Richard Litofsky, Co-founder and CEO of MadVR - Mon, Mar 9, 2026 - Awards, Blog
The CEDIA Smart Home Awards have become a fixture in the industry calendar, serving as a strong showcase for innovation and excellence. For trade suppliers, the manufacturer-specific categories offer a unique opportunity to connect with the community, boost team morale, and support business growth.
madVR Labs has participated in the CEDIA Smart Home Awards since our journey with CEDIA began in 2020, and we’ve been fortunate enough to take home three awards so far.
Having founded the company in 2019, we felt that entering the awards program would be a great way to become more involved in the CEDIA community and help introduce our company and products to a wider audience.
We were grateful to win Best New Hardware Product in 2020, which was incredibly exciting for us as a new company. This was the COVID year when the ceremony was virtual, but despite the lack of an in-person celebration, the impact on our team and our visibility in the industry was significant.
The shift from regional to global recognition in the manufacturer categories of the CEDIA Smart Home Awards has helped further grow our brand. Our madVR Envy product is now available in over 50 countries, so knowing that finalists and winners are announced at all three CEDIA ceremonies, Americas, Asia Pacific, and EMEA, is great for enhancing visibility in the marketplace. This global reach has been valuable for both brand awareness and market education.
One of the less tangible but perhaps most valuable aspects of participating in the CEDIA Smart Home Awards is the effect on our culture. Since the beginning, the awards have been a source of pride and motivation for our team.
We all love what we do at madVR Labs. Every single person in the company is dedicated to home cinema. It’s a hobby first, and a job second. This external recognition goes a long way in reinforcing what we’ve been building together.
The award win in 2025 was extra special, as I had three of my top team members with me for the ceremony. As we were waiting for our category to be announced, one of my colleagues turned to me and humbly said, ‘If we win, you go on up there.’ I responded that we were there as a team, and I was not going on stage without all of them. It was a proud moment for all of us to celebrate together.
I found the awards entry process to be generally straightforward. The submission requirements are what you would expect for a product category. Regarding the judging phase, I appreciate the opportunity to present to the judges via online meetings, when possible, as it gives us ample time to prepare.
For those who are new to the CEDIA Smart Home Awards or are considering entering for the first time, it’s an opportunity for meaningful recognition. It provides a source of company pride and signals to the industry that your team is doing meaningful work. Success at the CEDIA Smart Home Awards encourages peers to take notice and continue striving for excellence.
With three CEDIA award wins under our belts, we now head into the 2026 program hopeful about the possibility of a fourth CEDIA Smart Home Award. We’re grateful to be part of such a passionate and innovative industry, and we look forward to seeing what this year’s program brings.
For more information on the CEDIA Smart Home Awards, as well as access to the Awards Toolkit, visit cedia.org/awards.