Prevent Blindness presented the 2024 Person of Vision Award to Ed Buffington, President and CEO of GPN Technologies, as part of its Person of Vision Gala on March 14, in conjunction with Vision Expo East. Additionally, 20/20 Magazine was recognized for its 50th Anniversary, and Marge Axelrad, Senior VP Editorial Director at Jobson Publishing, was honored with the Louisa Lee Schuyler Award, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the mission of Prevent Blindness.
The event raised a record of more than $350,000 to support the sight-saving programs of Prevent Blindness.
Kavanagh, Stadlen & Binkowitz served as the Platinum level sponsor. Gold sponsors included EssilorLuxottica and GPN Technologies. Regeneron was the Silver level sponsor. Bronze level sponsors included Advancing Eyecare, Amgen, Bausch + Lomb, Jobson Interactive, and Vision Service Plan (VSP). Additional sponsors are Acep, Anagram/EyeCarePro/Foxfire/NVM Institute, CooperVision, DigitalOptometrics, Europa Eyewear, Eyefinity, IDOC, Keplr Vision, Kering, MacuHealth, Marchon, MyEyeDr, National Vision, Ocuco, Optical Women’s Association, PECAA, Safilo USA, Texas State Optical, Viatris, The Vision Council, Vision Expo, Vision Source and Zeiss. Zyloware is the Nightcap Reception sponsor.
For the first time in the Person of Vision Gala’s history, individual donations made to Prevent Blindness during the evening were matched to a total of $15,000 by Kavanagh, Stadlen & Binkowitz. For those who would still like to contribute to Prevent Blindness, gifts may be made at PreventBlindness.org/donate, or by texting SIGHT to 1-833-711-1621 (message and data rates may apply).
The 2024 Person of Vision Committee was once again chaired by Maureen Cavanagh. Additional committee members included 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.
“Because of the generous support of our Person of Vision Gala attendees and sponsors, this year’s event was the most successful in our 116-year history!” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “As this was the final Vision Expo East held in New York City, we’ll be bringing our fond memories to the new event location in Orlando next year. We invite everyone to attend our Gala in 2025 and help support our sight-saving mission.”
For more information on the 2024 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award event, please contact Albert Muci at [email protected], or visit preventblindness.org/personofvision.