Vision-X VP Awards debuts at the Dubai World Trade Centre on the first day of the Vision-X exhibition. The one-of-its-kind initiative recognised the best products in the eyewear and eye care segment in a glittering ceremony attended by the crème de la crème of the optical industry
The very first edition of the Vision-X VP Awards – a joint initiative between VisionPlus Arabia Magazine and the organisers of Vision-X Dubai, aimed at recognising the best products in the optical industry, was held in a grand ceremony on 25th November, 2014, during the first day of the Vision-X trade show in Dubai. Introduced as a new concept, the awards received an overwhelming response in terms of participation from some of the leading brands in the optical industry across the globe. The awards were hosted amidst a lot of excitement and fun that filled the evening as the winner’s league of the optical industry could be seen gleaming with pride.
The glittering night opened to a packed house with renowned opticians, manufacturers, distributors and other big names from the optical industry attending the event at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Hosted as part of the Vision-X exhibition, these awards emerged as a unique platform for the optical industry, introducing them to the latest trends and the best products across multiple categories.
With a jury comprising of some of the biggest names in the Middle Eastern optical industry – Al Jaber Optical, Hassan’s Optician Co, Magrabi Opticals, Rivoli EyeZone, Saudi Optic House and Yateem Opticians – the final nominee list of the Vision-X VP Awards was drawn in September this year. This jury was faced with the challenging task of choosing the best of the best in several categories, like Best New Frame, Best New Sunglass Model, Best New Sports Eyewear, Best New Children’s Eyewear and a lot more. Nevertheless, they took up the challenge and put forth a list of nominees in every category.
The next stage was asking for public opinion, and so the voting lines were declared open on 1st of October. Eye care practitioners from the MENA region were invited to come forth and vote for their favourite products, either online or through a ballot form, and the response was enormous. In addition to the eyewear segment, the Vision-X VP Awards also recognised the best products in the eye care segment which included instruments and equipments that have helped to improve the quality as well as efficiency of the eye care facilities available in the region. After the voting process, the results were compiled to announce the final list of winners in every category on 25th November.
The event started with a welcome speech by Siraj Bolar, Editor-in-Chief of VisionPlus Arabia Magazine, and Lucy McPhail, Group Sales Manager, Vision-X, wherein they thanked the dignitaries for supporting the initiative and attending the event.
What followed was a fun-filled affair that included entertaining performances by a live band. As each award was announced, the crowd welcomed the winners with a thundering round of applause. The highlight of the evening was the Special Jury Award, won by Maui Jim for Sugar Beach, 421-02 sunglasses. The music from the band fuelled the enthusiasm and energy of the audience as they enjoyed the evening.
The Vision-X VP Awards also proved to be an excellent networking platform as professionals from different sectors of the optical industry got a unique opportunity to connect with one another. The conversations struck over cocktails and dinner in an evening that was dedicated entirely to the optical industry made it a memorable affair.
Siraj Bolar summed it up saying, “With a select gathering and all the ingredients that make a perfect event, the Vision-X VP Awards ceremony at the World Trade Centre, Dubai, was indeed a great show of celebration, purpose and promise of, for and by the optical industry. I look forward to the optical industry using this platform to unite and, in a healthy atmosphere, compete and strengthen the region’s potential as a market for high quality products. In the next edition I look forward to seeing much more participation, especially from those who could not participate this time.”
The industry feedback about the event has been extremely positive with winners already planning their campaigns using the Vision-X VP Award to promote the winning product. The industry seems to be already looking forward to the next edition of the awards, and if one were to go by the buzz that the first edition has created, then there might be many more product entries and participants for the next Vision-X VP Awards.
For the complete list of winners, click here.