Nominations open for international optician award

Last year’s winner, Andrew Keirl

The International Opticians Association (IOA) has opened applications for the 2020 IOA Silmo International Optician of the Year Award.

Presented during the annual Silmo Paris d’Or awards ceremony, the award recognises the importance of the optician in the optical business – and their role in the choice of the optimum products for their clientele.

As well as being able to demonstrate that they are a qualified dispensing optician in the country where they practise, the winner of this award will display the following attributes:
• Professionalism: the client is at the heart of their business and receives excellent care
• Excellent communication skills: both personally and via social media
• Entrepreneurial spirit: with solid business acumen highlighted through the success of their enterprise
• Innovation: within their business model / product offer/shop design
• Specialisation: with a reputation in a specific branch of optics
• Creativity: both in the products they offer and the way they practice
• Engagement: with the profession, the community, charitable endeavours and industry
• Advocacy: championing the profession of dispensing

IOA members, country members and industry partners will be able to nominate opticians worldwide.

Nominations should be sent to Elaine Grisdale at elainegrisdale@yahoo.co.uk before 13 April 2020 with a covering letter stating why the person should be considered for this coveted award, taking into account the criteria above. A shortlist will then be drawn up after approval from the IOA board (deadline end of April 2020) and the shortlisted nominees will be contacted to fill in a final dossier for consideration by a special jury. The judging process will be completed by 1 July 2020.

The winner will be announced on 3 October 2020 at Silmo Paris. As well as the prestigious award, the winner will also win a trip to Silmo 2021.

To find out more visit the IOA website.