Jan. 23, 2024 — Prevent Blindness has announced that tickets are still available for the 2024 Person of Vision Award Gala set to take place during Vision Expo East on Thursday, March 14, at 583 Park Ave. in New York City.

This year’s Person of Vision Award will be presented to Ed Buffington, president and CEO of GPN Technologies, in recognition of his years of outstanding service in the optical and eyecare industry. Each year, the award honors an “individual, corporation, and/or organization whose inspired outlook champions healthy vision and its importance for a healthy life,” Prevent Blindness shares.

Tickets cost $400 each or $3,700 for a table of 10. For the first time ever, donations made to Prevent Blindness during the gala will be matched up to $15,000 by some of the event’s sponsors. All proceeds from the event support the nonprofit’s mission and programs. For people unable to make the event who want to honor Buffington and support Prevent Blindness, donations can be made here.

Maureen Cavanagh serves as the 2024 Person of Vision committee chair, leading committee members 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.