SECO 2026 Award Nominations

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
SECO International
Email: bfripp@secostaff.com
Website: www.attendseco.com
Date: October 2025

SECO International Invites Nominations for Prestigious 2026 Southern Council of Optometrists Professional Awards

ATLANTA, GA — SECO International invites members of the optometric profession, educators, and organizations across the country to submit nominations for the 2026 SECO Awards, recognizing outstanding achievement, leadership, and service within the field of optometry and allied eye care.

Each year, SECO honors individuals and organizations that exemplify excellence, innovation, and dedication to advancing optometry and the broader field of eye care within the Southern Council of Optometrists (SoCO) member states. These prestigious awards will be presented during SECO 2026, held in Atlanta, Georgia, where leaders and practitioners from across the region will gather for world-class education and professional celebration.

Nominations are open to all individuals, state associations, and professional organizations within the Southern Council of Optometrists member states, and multiple entries are encouraged. Past nominees may also be resubmitted for consideration.

Award Categories

• Optometrist of the South – Presented to an optometrist who has made a significant contribution to the profession and is a member of the Southern Council of Optometrists.
• Young Optometrist of the South – Recognizing an optometrist who has been in practice for ten years or fewer and has shown exceptional leadership and service to the profession, and is a member of the Southern Council of Optometrists.
• Paraoptometric of the South – Honoring a non-optometrist paraoptometric located in a Southern Council of Optometrists member state who has demonstrated significant contributions to the advancement of optometry.
• Optician Excellence Award – Celebrating opticians within Southern Council of Optometrists member states who demonstrate exceptional skill, ethics, mentorship, and innovation in eye care delivery.
• Executive Director Award – Recognizing an association executive who has shown exemplary leadership, advocacy, and dedication to the growth of an optometric organization and their mission.
• Associate Member Award – Awarded to a non-profit international optometric organization affiliated with the Southern Council of Optometrists that advances education, collaboration, and global eye health.

Nomination Guidelines

Nominations must include:

• The nominee’s name, award category, and city and state of practice
• A letter of support describing why the nominee merits recognition
• A biography or curriculum vitae (CV)

Incomplete nominations cannot be processed.

The deadline for submission is November 30, 2025.

Please submit your nominations at attendseco.com/nominations or email to bfripp@secostaff.com.

Please email inquiries to: bfripp@secostaff.com

For additional information about SECO International and its professional programs, visit www.attendseco.com.

About SECO International:

Founded in 1923, SECO International, LLC is a recognized leader in continuing education for optometry and all eye care professionals, including paraoptometrics, opticians, technicians, and practice administrators. Through its Congress and year-round educational initiatives, SECO is dedicated to advancing clinical excellence, fostering professional growth, and promoting the highest standards in patient care—especially throughout the Southern United States through the Southern Council of Optometrists.