Free and Open Call for Designers and Brands Worldwide

Norwalk, CT (January 20, 2026) - The NOW Awards by Vision Expo return for 2026, and, for the first time, submissions are open to the entire global eyewear community. Exhibition at Vision Expo is not required, and participation is free.

Designers, brands, and creators worldwide are invited to submit their most visionary eyewear frames for a chance to be recognized on a global stage celebrating innovation, craftsmanship and eyewear design.

Presented by Vision Expo in partnership with the Accessories Council, the NOW Awards honor both established and emerging talent across these categories including:

• Best Sunglass (Independent & Branded)
• Best Optical (Independent & Branded)
• Best Direct to Consumer
• Optical Achievement
• Best Emerging Brand
• Ultimate Accessory, presented by the Accessories Council

Submissions will be reviewed by an influential panel of leaders spanning design, retail, fashion and eyecare including:

• Gary Black, Founder, Black Optical
• Christian Roth & Eric Domege, OPTICAL AFFAIRS
• Selima Salaun, Designer & Owner, Selima Optique
• Victor Sanz, Creative Director, TUMI
• Bob Schulze, Owner, Globe Design and Vision
• Dr. Jennifer Tsai, O.D. & Founder, Line of Sight
• Jeneene Allen, Founder & Fashion Educator, ASGNMT

Selected NOW Awards finalists receive:

• Exposure at the largest optical show in the U.S.
• Select frames featured at a pre-show press and VIP event in Miami
• Inclusion in the NOW showcase, displayed at show entry
• Social media coverage of the NOW showcase
• Live NOW Awards presentation and ceremony at Vision Expo
• Award winners featured in post-show social campaigns and PR

Submission Deadline: February 9, 2026
Product Receipt Deadline: February 16, 2026
Winners Announced: March 12, 2026 at Vision Expo in Orlando

Learn more and submit here.

Vision Expo 2026 will take place March 11–14, 2026, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The event remains the premier destination for the global vision community to connect, discover, and be inspired by the latest trends, technology, and education in eyecare and eyewear. Register here. 

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Media Contacts:

Emily Rocca

Marketing Director

[email protected] 

Jen Cullen Williams

Public Relations

[email protected]

About Vision Expo

Vision Expo East and West are trade-only conferences and exhibitions for eyecare and eyewear presented by co-owners RX and The Vision Council. Vision Expo is the most comprehensive event for the entire Vision community, built for the industry by the industry. The only balance of conference and exhibition to learn from industry pioneers, explore cutting-edge advancements, and gain a new perspective on the future of eyewear. In the Vision Expo Exhibit Hall, eyecare providers can discover fashion trends, interact with new technologies and access innovative products and services. The Vision Expo education program is driven by the profession, offering content of the highest quality and relevance to enhance overall patient care. For more information on Vision Expo, visit  visionexpo.com and follow Vision Expo’s social media channels, Facebook, Twitter , Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn .

Vision Expo images can be found HERE and new logo can be found HERE

About The Vision Council

The Vision Council brings the power of sight to all through education, government relations, research and technical standards. A leading advocate for the optical industry, the association positions its members to deliver the eyewear and eyecare people need to look and feel their best. Vital to health, independence and safety, better vision leads to better lives. Learn more at thevisioncouncil.org. 

About RX

RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organizations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit  www.rxglobal.com.