Optics' winners swing to the rat pack sound

Las Vegas came to London earlier this week as nearly 500 of the optical world's great and good converged on the capital for the presentation ceremony of the 2006 Optician Awards.

The lead up to the evening was based around an airline theme and guests arrived at the Radisson SAS Hotel Portman Square clutching airline-style tickets. The hotel was transformed into a VIP lounge where attendees were ushered in by 1950s-style air hostesses.

A champagne reception was followed by a move through to the ballroom and dinner. In his welcome address Optician editor Chris Bennett drew attention to the new competition from the supermarkets, pharmacies and the internet. He concluded that in the face of such an onslaught traditional optical players had more to unite than divide them.

Towards the end of dinner guests were entertained by Rat Pack-style performers singing a medley of songs from the Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra era. A nine-piece band was on hand to provide live music throughout the evening.

The diners were then treated to a stunning audio visual review of 2005 before the awards were presented. The host for the evening was comedian and author Dominic Holland who wowed the crowd with an hilarious mix of topical humour and dry commentary.

Ten awards were made in all. The presentation was followed by more Rat Pack singing, a disco and a charity casino. All of the proceeds from the charity casino will be donated to the charities shortlisted in the Charity Campaign of the Year Award.

Optician would like to congratulate all of those shortlisted, thank all of the sponsors and commiserate with those entrants who were unsuccessful.