The CEDIA Smart Home Awards entry period is upon us, and there’s never been a better time to showcase your creativity and expertise. Here, two judges share their wisdom to help you craft an entry that stands out, and to encourage more professionals to get involved in celebrating the industry’s best.
Keep It Concise
Judges are technical experts, but what matters most is clarity. Use plain, straightforward language to tell the story. Avoid jargon or unnecessary complexity. The panels are all seasoned experts and technically qualified, but they just want to know what you did, and why you did it.
Use as many words as necessary to be clear and accurate, but avoid padding. If you can make your point with fewer, simpler words, do so. Word counts are limits, not targets. Quality counts more than quantity, and a succinct explanation is far more effective than a rambling essay.
Embrace Best Practice and Own Your Decisions
Follow industry standards wherever possible. If you deviate from best practice, explain your reasoning. If you have done so for no reason, you will be marked down. However, if there’s a good reason (strong client preference, balancing the various compromises, or the structure of the building itself, for example), and you explained it well, you won’t lose marks for it — in fact, it will highlight your capabilities of finding solutions, so don’t shy away from explaining this.
Let Evidence Speak
Numbers, measurements, and solid evidence are your allies, and you need these to back up your words. The essay questions are there to explain your thinking and to set the scene. The numbers prove it.
The judges want to see proof of performance and thoughtful design. Don’t just tell them, show it with real data. Weak or missing figures mean lost points, so make sure your documentation is robust. Remember, optional documentation often sets winners apart, so consider including it even if not strictly required.
Proofread and Share Your Entry
Get a fresh pair of eyes to review your submission. Someone else’s perspective may highlight unclear sections or errors you missed. This simple step can make the difference between a good entry and a great one.
A Touch of Humor Goes Far
Don’t be afraid to show personality! Judges are human, and they’ve faced the same project challenges to get a job over the line. A light-hearted anecdote or witty remark can foster connection and make your entry memorable.
More Advice on Winning the CEDIA Smart Home Awards: Business Categories
The Use of AI
Don’t outsource your essays entirely to AI; it risks losing your authentic voice and frustrating the judges. AI can effortlessly generate reams of flowery marketing prose, but this makes it harder for the panel to extricate what you actually did on the project.
If you’re stuck, use an AI assistant to help you get started, but then read it back and correct anything that doesn’t read right.
Thorough Documentation
Don’t claim required documentation is “not needed” for your region. If you want to be considered as the best in the world, do the documentation. As for optional documentation, be aware that winning entries often provide that, too. The best companies have great documentation as part of their everyday process.
Entrants should not rely solely on auto-generated EQ reports — these don’t count as calibration reports. Anyone can run the mic and upload it to their system, so tell the panel what you contributed that adds value beyond what any end user could do.
Don’t Fake It, You Won’t Make It
Don’t fudge numbers or make excuses for missing documentation. Judges check figures and documentation with a fine-tooth comb — entrants won’t believe how long the panel can spend looking at one project’s documents. Experience tells them when something is off, so be fully honest with your entry.
Why Enter?
Entering the CEDIA Smart Home Awards is an opportunity to reflect on your achievements, learn from peers, celebrate with your team, and raise the bar for the industry. The judges are eager to see fresh ideas and recognize excellence, so step forward and show us what makes your projects outstanding.
If you’ve ever considered entering or are unsure whether your project is award-worthy, take the leap. With thoughtful preparation and an honest and thorough entry, your work could be in the spotlight at this year’s CEDIA Smart Home Awards.
For more information on the CEDIA Smart Home Awards, as well as access to the Awards Toolkit, visit www.cedia.org/awards.
