There can be few more evocative sets of numbers in optics than 2020, so next year provides an ideal unique opportunity to put the profession centre stage.
Optician will be covering the many 2020 events already being trailed and uppermost among those has to be Optrafair 20/20 and the packed weekend that comes with it.
The highlight of the weekend for many will be the Saturday evening presentation of the Optician Awards, and the journey to Optician Awards stardom starts now.
This week sees the opening of entries at www.opticianawards.co.uk, so make sure you pay the website a visit to see which categories suit you. We have trophies for people, practices and products so there is something for everyone to aim at.
New for 2020 is an award dedicated to practices excelling in using social media to interact with their customers and patients and boost their business. For many years entries to the Optician Awards have included social media but this trophy will be presented to the practice that has used platforms such as Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn to the greatest effect.
This category also highlights the democratising effects of modern technology. The award won’t be about the highest spender or the biggest IT team, it will be about person to person interaction using social media effectively.
Anyone at April’s awards bash will know just how much next year’s event has to live up to, but the 1990s-themed night is shaping up to be a corker. And what a decade it was. Optics was reshaped by the rise of the multiples and the introduction of computer technology. In the wider world Girl Power, Brit Pop, Young British Artists, alternative comedy and Friends were a few of the influences at play.
If you have ever thought of winning an Optician Award surely 2020 is the year to do it.