Optical Prism January 2018 | Page 30

OPTICON TO JOIN VISION EXPO STARTING THIS YEAR Vision Expo and OptiCon have announced a partnership that will bring the industry’s premier opticianry and contact lens fitters education program to the largest gathering of eyewear and eyecare professionals in the Americas, starting this year at Vision Expo East in New York City. “Through OptiCon’s partnership with Vision Expo, attendees will find the personalized program that they have come to expect, along with expanded educational and networking opportuni- ties, all just steps from the industry’s most expansive show floor. The most comprehensive options for learning and sourcing will be available to OptiCon attendees twice a year at Vision Expos East and West,” says Jim Morris, executive director of the Ameri- can Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners, Inc. This year’s Vision Expo East is set for March 16 to 18 at the Javits Center. The partnership between Vision Expo and OptiCon - the pre- mier education and networking event in opticianry, contact lens technology and other allied health professions - will provide attendees with a dedicated education program curated by opticians for opticians as well as a series of special events and tailored education packages. Vision Expo will also host a new OptiCon Hub, a show floor destination designed for opticians and 28 Optical Prism | January 2018 contact lens fitters featuring pop-up talks, networking space, social events and access to representatives and re- sources from The American Board of Opticianry & National Contact Lens Examiners, the National Academy of Opticianry, Opticians Association of America, Contact Lens Society of America and National Federation of Opticianry Schools. Educational programming will cover four key areas: spectacle, contact lenses, business and exam review. In addition to more than 75 hours of OptiCon content, developed by the OptiCon Advisory Board, those seek- ing certification will benefit from the ability to take ABO&NCLE review courses and sit for the exams at both Vision Expos East and West. Attendees will also have the opportunity to join numerous contact lens, clinical, busi- ness, allied health and retail sessions offered through the expansive Vision Expo continuing education program. “Vision Expo is thrilled to partner with ABO&NCLE and its affiliates starting in 2018,” says Melissa Ashley, Reed Exhibitions senior vice-president. “We have always believed that the quality of our show is only as good as the education that we can bring to the eyecare providers who drive the profession forward, and we continue to raise the bar by expanding our offerings with OptiCon content.”