More time has been granted to those wishing to enter the 2009 Optician Awards with the deadline now pushed back to January 26.
Entering the Optician Awards has never been easier, simply go to the Awards website at www.opticianawards.com. There are 15 categories to choose from and once you have decided which best suits you, click the entry tab and make your initial entry submission of no more than 1,000 words.
A first round of judging will take place shortly after January 26 and those that make it to a shortlist will be asked to make a full entry, complete with supporting material. Judging for most of the categories will take place on February 17 at the Optician editorial offices in Sutton, Surrey.
This year there is a category designed to suit everyone in optics, from clinicians and practice staff to manufacturers and suppliers.
For the first time prescription labs are being encouraged to enter through the Optical Supplier of the Year award, while optical assistant teams also have their own category.
A range of practice-focused categories are being contested, while optometrists and dispensing opticians will find a number of trophies to vie for.
There are several categories for which nominations are being encouraged, so if you know of a practice that deserves recognition, simply go to the Awards website and put its name forward.
The Varilux Golden Jubilee Award will help Essilor celebrate 50 years of the varifocal lens and Optician is keen for nominations to be made to reward a practice that has shown commitment to Varilux lenses over the past five decades.
The winners of the Optician Awards will be announced at a Hollywood-themed black tie dinner on the evening of April 4 alongside the Optrafair exhibition. What promises to be the optical night of the year will be held at the National Motorcycle Museum which is close to Optrafair's NEC venue.
? To learn more about the Awards or book your seat go to www.opticianawards.com