The Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA) has announced its Awards for Excellence program is returning in 2023, recognising the best in fashion, innovation and technology within the optical industry.
After the pandemic caused the cancellation of the 2021 awards program, the 2023 edition will be open to suppliers, distributors and manufacturers exhibiting at O=MEGA23.
The program officially kicks off in April and judging will occur mid-August. Finalists will be announced by the end of August and the program will conclude with a live presentation and announcement of category winners at an event within the O=MEGA23 trade fair, on the evening of Friday 8 September.
The categories cover all the entry opportunities similar to prior awards programs, however with the addition of two new categories.
The first of the new categories will recognise Australian businesses that have products or processes committed to achieving positive outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The second recognises Australian businesses that are employing environmentally sustainable business processes and/or manufacturing or distributing sustainable eyewear and eyecare products. This takes the total number of categories to a 13.
The categories span optical frames, sunglasses, children’s and sports eyewear, lens design and coatings, instruments, accessories, point-of-sale, contact lenses, over-the-counter product treatments, Indigenous products/designs/business focus and sustainable products/business processes.
Entrants can enter multiple categories.
“I am so pleased to be able to offer this awards program. Industry members expressed their disappointment to me that the ODMA awards program had to be cancelled in 2021. It is a great opportunity to celebrate all the quality suppliers and products and services in our industry,” Ms Amanda Trotman, acting CEO of ODMA, said.
“I am all for recognising the innovation and quality that we witness every day and in taking some time out to celebrate that. This is a nice way to thank these quality industry suppliers that strive to serve their customers so well to help enable practices to in turn serve their clients so well.”
ODMA board chair Mr Robert Sparkes said holding the awards ceremony at O=MEGA23 would maximise the number of industry participants acknowledging the awards program participants and allow for a great celebration.
The entrants in each category will be judged by independent judges, and finalists will be announced ahead of the O=MEGA23 event. Awards program finalists will have their entries on display within the O=MEGA23 trade fair for delegates and trade fair visitors to view. Winners will be announced at the opening networking drinks at O=MEGA23 within the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Entries for the ODMA Awards of Excellence open Monday 3 April 2023 and close Friday 7 July 2023.
ODMA is sending an awards program announcement and entry kit to all O=MEGA23 exhibitors – this can also be requested via email to amanda@odma.com.au Details of the program will be on both the O=MEGA23 website at www.omega-event.org and the ODMA website at www.odma.com.au.
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