Some well-needed cheer for the optical profession was delivered on Wednesday when the winners of the 2020 Optician Awards were revealed in an online presentation show.
Celebrations rang out in practices across the country, no doubt loudest in Northampton at Tompkins Knight & Son Optometrists and at Finchley’s Central Vision where double victories were chalked up (see the roll of honour on page 7).
The presentation, which can still be viewed at www.optican online.net, was hosted virtually for the first time but that didn’t detract from the winners’ excitement. It was way back in last winter when their journey began to awards stardom and celebrations, safely filmed from practice, weren’t diminished by time.
Optician was adamant that Covid wasn’t going to rob our winners of the reward and recognition they deserve but as two presentation events fell foul of lockdown the decision to go online was taken.
We couldn’t have done it without our sponsors and shortlisted finalists pulling out the stops to help us make the online show such a fantastic celebration of optics.
On the night the tension was palpable, and while it was heartening to watch our winners’ reactions the presentation unexpectedly offered optics another opportunity to show its professionalism.
Our original plan had been to end the show with bloopers; showing outtakes and funnies found in the finalists’ videos. As it turned out the show director said she couldn’t put one together as the entrants’ clips had all been so professionally made and edited.
I would like to extend a massive thank you to all of our entrants, sponsors and judges. Congratulations to those who won, commiserations to those who didn’t. Better luck next year.
And you don’t have long to wait as the 2021 Awards will be launching soon. The presentation ceremony will coincide with the BCLA conference in Manchester next June.
I very much look forward to seeing everyone in person and celebrating — face to face.