The International Opticians Association in collaboration with Silmo can announce the 2024 finalists for the coveted International Optician of The Year award.
The winner of this year’s award will take the crown from 2023 laureate, Jean Francois Porte from France. Chosen from a wide range of opticians around the world, nominated by colleagues and peers, the panel chose 4 professionals to be short-listed for this year’s title. The finalists come from Portugal, the UK and the USA. They are (in alphabetical order):
Vitor Martins (Portugal)
Daniel Scott (UK)
Hitash Visavadia (UK)
Phernell Walker (USA)
Finalists are asked to complete a dossier answering a number of identical questions pertaining to their work as opticians. These responses and supporting documents are then judged by an anonymous international multi-disciplinary panel of experts. The winner will be announced during the prestigious Silmo d’Or ceremony in Paris on Saturday September 21 st , 2024. The winner will be able to use the coveted title, will be invited to Silmo Paris in 2025 (flights and hotel provided by Silmo), they will receive a diploma recognising their achievement to hang in their practice and enjoy lifetime membership of the IOA.
About The International Opticians’ Association
The International Opticians’ Association is a forum for optician practitioners, industry partners and educators which is dedicated to the enhancement and development of the optical profession around the world. The IOA is an association dedicated to the enhancement and development of the optical profession around the world. It acts as a forum for optician practitioners, industry partners and educators to come together and discuss topics which have an impact on the development of the profession and the delivery of world class eye care and quality vision.