AOP Awards 2018 voting opens

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) today announces its shortlist for the AOP Awards 2018. Voting is now open in 14 categories including two new accolades, Health and Wellbeing Practice of the Year and, members’ choice award, Frame of the Year.

The annual event, which recognises excellence in optics, has grown from strength to strength since it was introduced in 2011 – seeing a 75% increase in overall unique entries for the 2018 Awards, which are sponsored by CooperVision. In recognition of this growth, the awards ceremony will once again take place at leading trade and education event, 100% Optical, with finalists, sponsors and guests enjoying a night of entertainment as winners are announced.

Commenting on the Awards’ continuing alignment with 100% Optical, AOP Chief Executive, Henrietta Alderman, said: “The AOP Awards are all about recognising the variety of roles, and approaches within optics. Whether you’re an optical team raising the standard in patient care, or a practice that’s committed to innovation, we want to celebrate that, so 100% Optical – which offers education for the whole practice team – is the ideal setting for us.”

Ms Alderman continued: “With this year seeing more unique entries than ever before, our finalists have achieved so much by getting this far. I hope the profession will join me in showing their support and casting their vote.”

Finalists in each category have been chosen by an expert panel of judges, with voting in 12 categories open to the public and profession, and two categories, Frame of the Year and Product of the Year, voted on exclusively by the Association’s members. The Lifetime Achievement award is selected by the AOP Chair of the Board, Michael George, and AOP Chief Executive, Henrietta Alderman.

To vote in the 12 open categories, and find out more about the Awards, visit www.aop.org.uk/awardsvote. A voting link for the members’ choice Awards will be emailed directly to AOP members on Friday 29 September.

Voting will close at 2pm, on Tuesday 12 December with the winners announced at a black tie awards ceremony on Sunday 28 January. Individual seats at the ceremony, and team tables, can be booked by visiting www.aop.org.uk/awards

Ends

For more information, please contact Emily Campbell, PR and Marketing Officer, at the Association of Optometrists, [email protected] or telephone 020 7549 2040.

Notes to Editors

Association of Optometrists

The Association of Optometrists (AOP) is the leading representative membership organisation for optometrists in the UK. We support over 80% of practising optometrists, to fulfil their professional roles to protect the nation’s eye health. As a founding member of the Optical Confederation we work with others to improve eye health for the public good. For more information, visit www.aop.org.uk

AOP Awards

The AOP Awards recognises the highest levels of achievement in UK optics and has quickly become a highlight of the optical calendar since its launch in 2011. We would like to thank our headline sponsor, CooperVision, and all our category sponsors – Alcon, CooperVision, Grafton Optical, Leightons Opticians, Lloyd and Whyte, Specsavers and Optos – for their continued support. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Adam Lloyds at Think, at [email protected], or telephone 020 3771 7203.

100% Optical

100% Optical is delivered in partnership with the AOP and our journal Optometry Today. Attracting over 8,000 UK and international visitors, the vibrant must-attend event takes place between 27-29 January at ExCeL, London. It's Europe's fastest growing optical event for industry professionals including optometrists, dispensing opticians, contact lens practitioners, ophthalmologists and undergraduates. Working alongside award-winning events company, Media 10, 100% Optical has become the industry’s flagship annual, international event – combining creativity and innovation to expand the delegate experience. For more information visit www.100percentoptical.com