NEW YORK— The Accessories Council, the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to nurturing accessory design in America, has announced it will honor 20/20 Magazine with its annual Hall of Fame Award.

Celebrating 20/20 Magazine’s 40th anniversary this year, the ceremony will take place on Friday, Sept. 19 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Tao in The Venetian Las, Vegas during Vision Expo West. Accepting the award will be James Spina, VP, editor-in-chief of 20/20, and Marc Ferrara, publisher/CEO of the Information Services division of Jobson Medical Information. Also addressing the anticipated audience of optical and fashion industry executives in attendance will be Karen Giberson, president of Accessories Council.

Over the past 40 years, 20/20 Magazine, a publication of Jobson Medical Information, has provided readers with the latest in optical trends, style, branding and product news in the industry. Number one in readership, 20/20 reaches a circulation of 50,000 subscribers and many others via its social media outreach.

“It is a privilege for 20/20 to be honored by the Accessories Council for its contributions in the optical industry,” said James Spina, VP, editor-In-chief 20/20. “In the publication’s 40th year, we look forward to chronicling the new innovations and exciting moments of the industry that have yet to come.”

The Accessories Council has hosted the Hall of Fame Tribute event series for the past seven years, presenting proven leaders whose business activities have significantly contributed to the more than $50 billion a year accessories market. Past recipients include Elaine Gold of Elaine Gold Enterprises, Mary Belle, president of Licensing for The Jones Group, Marge Axelrad, SVP, editorial director, Vision Monday Group of Jobson Medical Information, Dorothy Roberts, chairman of The Echo Design Group, Ruth Finley, founder and publisher of Fashion Calendar, Abbey Doneger, president of The Doneger Group, and Robin Marino, group president Fashion Accessories and Home, LF USA.

“In the Accessories Council’s 20th year of embracing the world of design, we are thrilled to honor 20/20 Magazine with the annual Hall of Fame award,” said Giberson. “We commend 20/20 Magazine and its diligent editorial team for consistently elevating the publication’s stature as an arbiter of eyewear industry innovation.”

In recognition of this special tribute, the Accessories Council will donate 50 percent of the net proceeds of this event to The Rick Bay Foundation, which strives to create excellence in the field of optometry and ophthalmology by supporting students through financial scholarships given to those studying the field. The non-profit foundation was established in memory of Rick Bay, Publisher/president of Review of Optometry and Review of Ophthalmology.

This year’s Hall of Fame event is generously funded with Gold Level sponsorships from Luxottica and Marchon. For details about other sponsorships and ticket info, please contact Carolyn Godfrey at carolyn@accessoriescouncil.org or (212) 947-1135.

The Accessories Council is a not-for-profit, national advocacy organization established in 1994. It globally serves the fashion accessories industry, which generates over $50.8 billion dollars annually in the U.S. alone. Over the past five years, membership has grown to include over 200 corporations representing the world's leading brand names, designers, publications, retailers and associated providers for the accessories, eyewear and footwear industries.