International Vision Expo & Conference continues to offer the industry’s best one-stop destination for eyecare professionals and industry visionaries to meet, network and share ideas. With more than 50 events, Vision Expo East 2015 in New York City offers plenty of opportunities for eyecare professionals at every experience level to connect.
To celebrate the relocation and redesign of the Galleria and Underground Pavilions on level three, International Vision Expo will host the Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s (edCFDA) “Speaking of Design” panel discussion from 5:00 – 5:45 pm on Friday, March 20 in The Galleria followed by a cocktail reception with the participating eyewear designers until 6:30 pm.
The #VisionExpo Social Media Zone offers another spot for networking and a truly interactive experience where attendees can monitor industry social media streams around the show and participate in photo opps and contests, like “Leaderboard,” and a scavenger hunt. The team will also live tweet from many events and education courses throughout the Show.
Vision Monday Eye² Zone participants will deliver free Tech Talks throughout the day on Sunday, March 22, providing a platform for live demonstrations and access to direct question and answer with the manufacturer’s representatives.
The New England College of Optometry Alumni and Friends Reception and the Pennsylvania College of Optometry Alumni Reception will both be held on Saturday, March 21 in the Partner Pavilion, an entire hall of space for Affiliate Partners to hold meetings and events. On Friday, March 20, the 12th Annual Eyes on New York Gala hosted by the SUNY College of Optometry will feature a cocktail reception, dinner and entertainment for the benefit of the Optometric Center of New York.
The Partner Pavilion will host over 15 meetings and events in a new dedicated area, Level 1, Hall E. Partners include Coalition for Enhanced Eyecare, New York State Optometric Association (NYSOA), OD Excellence, Humana, Professional Eyecare Resource Co-Op (PERC), Independent Doctors of Optometric Care (IDOC), Vision Source, C&E Vision Buying Group, Block Business Group, ADO Buying Group, New England Optometric Forum and Villavecchia Buying Group.
A number of celebrities will make appearances at this year’s show, including Bobbie Thomas, Style Editor for NBC’s Today Show, who will be the celebrity guest emcee of Safilo USA’s Spring/Summer 2015 fashion shows, musician Lisa Loeb, soccer star Mia Hamm and Cynthia Bailey-Thomas of The Real Housewives of Atlanta.
The networking opportunities expand beyond those held in the Javits Center. On Friday, March 20, the iconic B.B. King Blues Club will host four parties throughout the night. Organization members are invited to attend their respective parties, including the ODs on Facebook Party, the Think About Your Eyes Premium Member Party and the Vision Source Party, all held from 8:00 to 9:00 pm. Immediately following, all attendees with a wristband from a sponsor’s booth are welcome to attend the Vision Expo Opening Night Party with a performance by the Bad Habits “Eye Docs of Rock” from 9:00 pm – Midnight. Sponsors will be hosting an open bar for the first hour of the party and will be raffling off an Epiphone “Lucille” guitar.
Other parties to plan for include EyeRock: Rockin’ for New Eyes on Saturday, March 21 at the Hard Rock Café in Times Square. Earlier that night, the Optometry Student Party will take place at the Sky Room for all OD students who attended student education during the Conference.
Affiliate Partners like Optical Women’s Association (OWA) and select exhibitors, including Italia Independent, Safilo and Ottica Dante Americas, will host RSVP events off site.
Additionally, the Young Professionals Club Member Reception will be held at Lucky Strike Manhattan Bowling Lanes on Friday, March 20.
For more information and a full list of events, visit www.VisionExpoEast.com.