ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Vision Expo has announced the finalists for the second annual OPTImum Retail Award, which celebrates independent boutique retailers by allowing them to showcase their products, stores, visions and stories to the entire optical industry. The finalists are: Art of Optiks – Wayzata, Minnesota; Black Optical – Dallas, Texas, Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Edward Beiner – South Miami, Florida; Focus Optical – The Woodlands, Texas; and Le Lunetier – Milan, Italy. From Feb. 6 to Feb. 25, Vision Expo is encouraging the vision community to share their input and vote to help select the winner. To vote, as well as see the photos and stories of the finalists, click here. The results of the social media vote will factor into the judges’ scores.

The winner will be revealed during the exclusive Boutique Buyer Panel on Saturday, March 23, from 5:00 –6:30 p.m. at new Exhibit Hall destination, known as the BRIDGE.

“We were extremely inspired by all the stories we received for the second annual OPTImum Retail Award,” said Joanne Mohr, event director for Reed Exhibitions. “This is an outstanding group of retailers and the judges had a tough decision to make. We look forward to celebrating the winner at Vision Expo East next month.”

To determine the finalists, a committee of the industry’s top leaders deliberated and voted on which stories they feel are most deserving of the award. This year’s committee members include Dr. Arian Fartash, optometrist and influencer of @glamoptometrist; Christian Roth, eyewear designer and the first Council of Fashion Designers of America member in the eyewear category since 1990; and James Spina, 20/20 Magazine editor-in-chief and senior vice president.

To register for Vision Expo East 2019, visit VisionExpoNY.com.