AOP Awards 2020 - Frequently asked questions

1. Who can enter?
2. How do I enter?
3. How much does it cost to enter?
4. What can I submit as supporting documentation?
5. I'm nominating in Frame of the Year. Where do I send my sample frame?
6. What is the deadline for nominations?
7. How are the awards judged?
8. When will I be notified if I, or my nominee, are a finalist?
9. When does voting open and close?
10. How do I vote?
11. When will the winners be announced?
12. How do I book tickets for the awards ceremony?
13. What do the winners receive?
14. What sponsorship opportunities are there for the awards?
15. Where can I find the terms and conditions for the awards?
16. Who do I contact if I still have questions about the awards?

1. Who can enter?

The AOP Awards are open to entrants who are UK residents aged 18 and over. 
Frame of the Year and Product of the Year are open to both UK and international entrants.

2. How do I enter?

To enter the AOP Awards, nominators will need to complete the form on our dedicated nomination website.

For more details on the awards process, please visit How does it work?

3. How much does it cost to enter?

The AOP Awards are free to enter.

4. What can I submit as supporting documentation?

Supporting documentation should be a maximum of two sides of A4 and should include anything the nominator feels will enhance their nomination. Due to the number of nominations we receive, anything over two sides of A4 will not be submitted to the judges. For more information on supporting information please see the terms and conditions.

5. I'm nominating in the Frame of the Year. Where do I send my sample frame?

Please send your sample frame to:

AOP Awards
Association of Optometrists
2 Woodbridge Street
LONDON
EC1R 0DG

6. What is the deadline for nominations?

The deadline for submitting nominations was 5pm on Wednesday 31 July.

7. How are the awards judged?

The Awards are decided through a two-step process. Firstly, a panel of judges from across the sector will select a shortlist of finalists from the nominees. Secondly, the list of finalists will be put to a public vote.

The public vote and the judges vote will be converted into rankings (e.g. 1 = top ranking, 10 = lowest ranking). The winner for each category, excluding Lifetime Achievement Award, will be the finalist with the top combined ranking from the judges and the public vote. 

The Lifetime Achievement Award is selected by an AOP panel, including our Chief Executive and Chair.

For more information on the judging process, please go to How does it work? and Meet the judges.

8. When will I be notified if I, or my nominee, are a finalist?

All nominators will be contacted following the end of the judging process to be informed if they have been chosen as a finalist or not. This has previously taken place in early September.

9. When does voting open and close?

Voting opened on 1 October 2019 in all categories.
Voting closes in all categories at 5pm on 18 December 2019.
Voting for Frame of the Year and Product of the Year is exclusive to AOP Members.

10. How do I vote?

Voting will take place on our dedicated voting platform, run by our partner Mi-Voice, or by hard copy voting forms that will be sent to the finalists.

Paper voting forms must be returned by the stated deadline to:

AOP Awards
Mi-Voice Democracy Technology Limited
Gamma House
Enterprise Road
Chilworth Science Park
Southampton, SO16 7NS.
 
For more details on voting please go to How does it work? 

11. When will the winners be announced?

Winners will be announced at a gala dinner and awards ceremony on Sunday 26 January 2020.

12. How do I book tickets to the awards ceremony?

Finalists will receive one complimentary ticket and have the option to purchase one discounted guest ticket to the awards ceremony. Tickets can be purchased through the event website. 

13. What do the winners receive?

Winners will receive a physical award and a pack of materials to be able to promote their success. There is no cash prize. Winners will also be featured in AOP and OT coverage of the Awards.

14. What sponsorship opportunities are there for the awards?

There are multiple sponsorship packages available for the AOP Awards 2020. For more information please contact Richard Ellacott at Think Publishing, tel: 0203 771 7242.    

15. Where can I find the terms and conditions for the awards?

Read the terms and conditions here.

16. Who do I contact if I still have questions about the awards?

Please email [email protected] or call 0207 549 2008.