Spring in Montreal is a season of
renewal; when the maple syrup flows
like water and everyone is eager to come
out of ‘hibernation’ after the winter
months. From urban sugar shacks to
experimental jungle parties, we're eager
for spring, when phenomena as simple
as cherry blossoms can turn cities into
magical places. Springtime is inspira-
tional; it brings hope and newness to
our lives.
Springtime is a promise of great things
to come. Optical Summit is our promise
to the optical community; where Op-
ticians, Optical students, other ECPs,
business owners and auxiliary staff
will go to be inspired. As a member of the
optical community, Optical Summit
is the place to be in Laval this Spring.
The Opticians Association of Canada
(OAC) is proud to bring you OPTI-
CAL SUMMIT for the first time ever!
This amazing event will be held on
May 24th, 25th and 26th at the Shera-
ton Laval in Laval, Quebec. Optical
Summit is built from three components
or concepts:
• Inspirational Summit Friday,
May 24th - 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Friday night ‘kick-off’ event for
Optical Summit
• Trade Summit Saturday,
May 25th - 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Optical trade show exhibit featuring
prestigious and innovative companies,
network opportunities and
entertainment.
• Educational Summit Saturday,
May 25th and Sunday, May 26th –
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Education series geared towards the
professional development of Opticians
and other ECPs
Inspirational Summit on Friday even-
ing will motivate us to reach beyond our
40 OPTICAL PRISM | March 2018
potential and stretch our minds to
achieve happiness and even more
greatness in our lives. A native of Chile,
passionate jogger and mother of two,
ALEXANDRA DIAZ is an animator,
artistic director, bestselling co-author
and co-producer of the show "Cuisine
futée, parents presses" which airs on
Télé-Québec for its 5th season. Ms Diaz
has covered cultural news for more
than 15 years alongside Quebec's infor-
mation leaders, and will be sharing her
inspirational journey with us on Friday
evening at Inspirational Summit.
We are also proud to announce that
CHRISTIANE GERMAIN will be join-
ing us on Friday evening. Co-founder
and co-president of Group Germain
Hotels, Mrs. Germain’s dynamic, te-
nacious, inventive and entrepreneurial
qualities have been honored by Canada’s
business people and by the tourism
community. Raised in a family of
entrepreneurs from Quebec City, she
became familiar with the realities of the
business world at a young age. Mrs.
Germain conveys a message that will
truly inspire us all.
Educational Summit will showcase
speakers from France, the United
Kingdom, Canada and the United States.
Five (5) lectures are scheduled per day
and will be presented in French or
English with live translation provided.
The OAC is delighted to introduce
ELAINE GRISDALE, who has lectured
extensively worldwide and in numer-
ous languages, as a special guest pre-
senter at Optical Summit. Ms. Grisdale,
FBDO FAAO, qualified as a dispensing
optician in 1985. For over 12 years she
worked as International Professional
Relations Manager for Opticianry and
Optometry at Essilor, liaising with
professional bodies, vision scientists
and academic institutions worldwide.
Since 2007, Ms. Grisdale has been Head
of Professional Services and Interna-
tional Development for the Association
of British Dispensing Opticians.
Joining our education line-up from
France is EMMANUELLE BEAUDOUX.
Ms. Beaudoux graduated with a Masters
in Management, Communication and
Project Management, and has been
working at the Chamber of Commerce
of Maine et Loire Vocational Training
Centre (Angers, France) since 1996.
Integrating the company as a teacher
in Economics and Management, in
2011. In Optical Studies, Ms. Beaudoux
manages all courses ranging from
Baccalaureate / A-Level to an Under-
graduate Degree in Optometry (with
Orsay-Paris Sud).
Trade Summit will be unlike anything
you have seen before with a microbrew-
ery and entertainment on site. Trade
Summit will provide attendees the
opportunity to learn more about, and
experience first-hand, the products and
services available within our industry.
Join us to network with suppliers,
eyecare professionals, students and
support staff, as well as national and
provincial association and board
representatives.
A JOB FAIR will also take place on
the SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, with
potential employers setting up recruit-
ment areas to provide information on
what their company has to offer.
The OAC is inviting all eye care
professionals, optical students and
auxiliary staff to join us for a WEEK-
END TO REMEMBER!
Space is limited, so REGISTER EARLY
to avoid being turned away; THIS
EVENT WILL BE A SELL OUT!