(PRESS RELEASE) AUSTIN, TX — PECAA, the Professional Eye Care Associates of America, hosted its sold-out annual meeting May 16-18 at the JW Marriott Austin. The member-only event drew a record 900+ individuals from the PECAA community to the live music capital of the world for a mix of business and medical education, camaraderie and economic opportunities.
“This year’s record attendance was no accident. The PECAA Team, our regional leaders and our members have created something unique and special. The success of the 2019 annual meeting is proof that PECAA’s community of like-minded professionals is growing and thriving,” explains Jamie Hughes, PECAA senior vice president & general manager. “It’s also important to recognize that we could not have delivered this incredible event to the membership without our industry partners and their support of PECAA’s ongoing efforts to help members connect, build and prosper.”
This was the first year the organization introduced enhanced staff track courses which featured office manager training and certification as well as optician training and certification preparation. At next year’s meeting in Denver, CO (April 30 – May 2, 2020), PECAA plans to add interactive, hands-on billing and coding education to its enhanced staff track lineup.
This year’s event included eleven elective course offerings, providing attendees the ability to customize their own meeting schedules based on their interests and practice needs. The meeting featured over twenty speakers including keynote speaker Jason Dorsey, PECAA’s member business advisors, Jerry Sude, OD (Founder of OD Excellence) and John McGreal, OD.
The Friday night member appreciation party was held at Austin City Limits Live. Guests enjoyed a spirited performance by four-time Grammy nominee headliner Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Students from Anthropos Arts, the PECAA Gives 2019 beneficiary, kicked the night off by performing for members. The performance followed the announcement that the PECAA community had raised $20,760 for the charity during the meeting.
Cathi Zerba, PECAA event planner, adds; “The meeting was a bonified sell-out success. The desirable backdrop of Austin, TX and the JW Marriott facility, along with pool deck parties, award-winning cuisine, engaging entertainment and an unforgettable appreciation party made this one of our most memorable events to-date!”