Trophies for business, fashion and dry eye care will all feature in the 2013 Optician Awards, joining the line-up of well-established and popular categories showcasing the best in optical practice and products.
All areas of optical practice and business are represented in the Awards and this year Spectrum Thea has teamed up with Optician to create the Dry Eye Award.
Other awards making their debut are the Business Excellence Award and the Luxury Eyewear Retailer of the Year while the Start Up Practice of the Year makes a return. There are separate awards for independent and multiple practices and also for optometrists, dispensing opticians, contact lens opticians and optical assistant teams.
The line-up is completed with the Technology Practice of the Year sponsored by Grafton Optical and its technology partners, the Premium Lens Practice of the Year sponsored by Transitions and the Vision for Life Award sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.
The 17 categories (see full listing below) can now be entered at http://www.opticianawards.com/ by submitting a statement and supporting materials. The website provides a run down of the categories, the entry criteria and where to send any supporting materials.
Entries will be accepted until mid-Jauary with the judging panels choosing the shortlist and winners in early February. The 2012 Award winners videos can be seen through the link on the home page of www.opticianonline.net.
For 2013 the hand-made, Art Deco trophies will be presented at a glittering black tie bash at the Hilton Metropole on the Saturday night of Optrafair in Birmingham next April. As ever, the Optician Awards will be the biggest party night of the optical calendar with a drinks reception, three course dinner, audio visual show and a celebrity A-list host.
In the coming weeks Optician will provide more information on all of the categories and some tips on what should be included in your entry.
Categories for 2013
? Start Up Practice of the Year
? e_SIhtDry Eye Award sponsored by Spectrum Thea
? Business Excellence Award
? e_SIhtVision For Life Award sponsored by Johnson and Johnson
? e_SIhtTechnology Practice of the Year sponsored by Grafton and its technology partner Optovue
? e_SIhtMultiple Practice of the Year
? e_SIhtPremium Lens Practice of the Year sponsored by Transitions
? e_SIhtLuxury Eyewear Retailer of the Year
? e_SIhtIndependent Practice of the Year sponsored by Hoya
? Frame of the Year
? Lens product of the Year
? e_SIhtContact Lens Product of the Year
? Optical Supplier of the Year
? e_SIhtOptical Assistant Team of the Year
? e_SIhtContact Lens Practitioner of the Year sponsored by Alcon
? e_SIhtDispensing Optician of the Year
? e_SIhtOptometrist of the Year sponsored by Coopervision