Prevent Blindness Annual Fundraising Person of Vision Award Gala to Honor Ed Buffington, GPN Technologies, and Give Special Commemoration of 20/20 Magazine for its 50 Years of Publication
Tickets and sponsorships are still available for the 2024 Person of Vision Award, honoring Ed Buffington, president and CEO of GPN Technologies. Prevent Blindness will also be giving special recognition to 20/20 Magazine in celebration of its 50th Anniversary of publication during the event. The Person of Vision Award gala will be held on March 14, 2024, at 583 Park Avenue, New York City, in conjunction with Vision Expo East.
The Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award recognizes an individual, corporation and/or organization whose inspired outlook champions healthy vision and its importance for a healthy life. Buffington was chosen as the recipient of the 2024 Person of Vision Award for years of outstanding service in the optical and eyecare industry.
All proceeds from the event support the mission and programs of Prevent Blindness, established in 1908. Individual tickets may be purchased for $400 each, or a table for 10 for $3,700.
A variety of sponsorship levels are still available. Current sponsors include Kavanagh, Stadlen & Binkowitz at the Platinum level, Regeneron at the Silver level, and Advancing Eyecare, Amgen, Bausch + Lomb, and Vision Service Plan (VSP) at the Bronze level. Additional sponsors include CooperVision, DigitalOptometrics, IDOC, Kavanagh Consulting LLC, National Vision, MyEyeDr, Optical Women’s Association, PECAA, Safilo USA, Texas State Optical, The Vision Council, Vision Expo, and Vision Source. Zyloware is the Nightcap Reception sponsor.
For the first time ever, during the gala, donations made to Prevent Blindness will be matched up to $15,000 by Kavanagh, Stadlen & Binkowitz. All those who are unable to attend the gala in-person and would still like to honor Mr. Buffington and support Prevent Blindness, are invited to participate by purchasing full-page, half-page ad, or name listing in the event program, or by making a donation. Individual donations may be made through PreventBlindness.org/donate, or by texting SIGHT to 1-833-711-1621, (message and data rates may apply).
Maureen Cavanagh is serving as the 2024 Person of Vision Committee Chair. Additional committee members include Marge Axelrad, Vision Monday; Jay Binkowitz, Keplr Vision; Deb Bulken, Luxottica Wholesale; Marc Ferrara, Jobson Medical Information; Anne Kavanagh, Kavanagh Consulting LLC; Katie Lauver, GPN Technologies; Lorie Lippiatt, LLL Holdings, LLC; Prevent Blindness Board of Directors Chair Jim McGrann, Advancing Eyecare; Jamie Shyer, Zyloware; and Matt Tackman, Essilor.
“As this is the last Person of Vision Gala to be held in New York City during Vision Expo East, we encourage everyone to join us for a fantastic event, bringing together distinguished leaders from the vision industry and beyond,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “Space is limited, and tickets are going fast, so purchase yours today and help support our sight-saving programs!”
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities
or contact Albert Muci at (312) 363-6020 or [email protected].
Download a copy of the 2024 Person of Vision Dinner media release.