(PRESS RELEASE) CHICAGO — Tickets and sponsorships are still available for the 2026 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award gala honoring Jim McGrann, CEO of Advancing Eyecare. The Person of Vision gala will be held on March 11, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency Orlando, in Orlando, Fla., in conjunction with Vision Expo.
One of the highest honors that Prevent Blindness bestows, the Person of Vision Award recognizes an individual whose inspired outlook champions healthy vision and its importance for a healthy life. Selected by an all-volunteer committee of leaders in the vision industry and nonprofit arenas, McGrann is being honored for his decades of exemplary leadership and decades-long dedication to improving vision and access to eyecare.
Platinum Sponsors for the 2026 Person of Vision gala are Advancing Eyecare and EssilorLuxottica. Jobson is a Silver Sponsor. Marcolin, PECAA, and VSPare Bronze Sponsors. Reception Sponsors are EyeMed Vision Care, Vision Expo, and Zyloware/Kenmark Eyewear. BusinessOutside is a General Event Sponsor. Table+ Sponsors are DigitalOptometrics, Europa Eyewear, iOR Partners, MacuHealth, MyEyeDr., Newton, Ocuco, Pair Eyewear, Safilo, ShermanSamuels, and Zeiss. ABB Optical Group, National Vision, The Optical Women’s Association, and The Vision Council are Table Sponsors. Individual tickets may be purchased for $400 each, or a table for 10 for $4,000.
Once again, during the gala, donations made to Prevent Blindness will be matched up to $12,000. This year’s generous matching gift is made possible by the Marco Family Foundation, David and Julie Marco.
All those who are unable to attend the gala in person and would still like to honor Mr. McGrann and support Prevent Blindness are invited to participate by purchasing a full-page ad, half-page ad, quarter-page ad, or name listing in the event program, or by making a donation online at PreventBlindness.org/personofvision. Individual donations may also be made by texting SIGHT to 1-833-711-1621 (message and data rates may apply).
The 2026 Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Committee Chair is Maureen Cavanagh, Advancing Eyecare. Additional committee members include Marge Axelrad, editorial director emeritus, Vision Monday (VM); Deb Bulken, Luxottica Wholesale; Pascale Desroches, EssilorLuxottica; Sue Downes, MyEyeDr.; Marc Ferrara, Jobson Medical Information; Bart Foster, BusinessOutside; Dr. Justin Manning, PECAA; Jamie Shyer, Zyloware/Kenmark Eyewear; Andy Skitmore, Marchon; and Kristen Tischler, Advancing Eyecare. The Person of Vision Subcommittee members are Marge Axelrad, editorial director emeritus, Vision Monday (VM); Maureen Cavanagh, Advancing Eyecare; Pascale Desroches, EssilorLuxottica; and Brian Stansifer, EssilorLuxottica.
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“We are excited to be back at Vision Expo in Orlando to host another fantastic event, honoring our Person of Vision, Jim McGrann,” said Jeff Todd, president and CEO of Prevent Blindness. “This gala provides us the opportunity to celebrate Jim and his decades-long dedication to eyecare and the vision industry, while helping us raise funds to continue our mission to save sight. We encourage everyone to purchase their tickets now and contact us about the many sponsorship opportunities that we have available.”
For more information on the Person of Vision Award gala, including volunteer opportunities, sponsorship and tickets, please contact Albert Muci [email protected], or visit PreventBlindness.org/PersonofVision.
