The International Vision Expo & Conference reported record-breaking attendance levels for Vision Expo East 2014 held in March, largely driven by exclusive programs developed for specific to segments of the ophthalmic profession.
Vision Expo’s OPTimum program welcomed a record 1,000 invitation-only members representing leading retail buyers, doctors and staff from million dollar practices, and senior level decision makers. For at least 350 OPTImum members, 2014 was their first experience attending Vision Expo East.
Additionally, Vision one2one, a unique hosted buyers’ Summit for Optometrists, exceeded expectations with its third annual event held at a luxury hotel prior to the exhibition hall opening. The Summit introduced more than 20 vendors to nearly 50 OPTImum members including Optometrists with million dollar practices, Opticians from Vision Monday’s
Top 50 retailers and other retail chains.
For many, such as Wisconsin Vision President and CEO Darren Hordach, the event further enhanced the value of attending Vision Expo and their experience at the show.
“I met with vendors I would not have met with at the show (and) got great ideas.” said Hordach. “(I) talked to my team during this meeting and changed some direction at the show.”
The industry’s next generation of professionals made an impact, with more than 980 students attending the conference, including 565 Optometry students, soaring past previous years’ turnouts. Students from all 23 recognized schools of optometry in the U.S. and Canada were represented, setting new attendance records for student courses as well as the annual Student Luncheon, a standing-room only event.