This week, Vision Expo East (VEE) returns to the Big Apple and promises top-notch education, fantastic networking opportunities, and an exhibit hall chock full of new products and innovations.
With so much to see and only so many hours in a day, how can you make the most of your time at VEE? To help you schedule your time wisely, here’s a preview of just a few of the great offerings you can expect at this year’s event.
Education
This year's VEE will feature 320 hours of expert-driven education on a broad range of medical, diagnostic, lab and practice management topics. Learn about smart contact lenses and other future eye care technologies, listen in on the Ocular Surface Disease and Wellness Symposium, or learn Facebook best practices from colleagues.
Nordic Naturals will host Dr. John Lahr, who will discuss the latest omega-3 research on the retina and macula during "Omega-3 Fish Oil for Your Practice and Your Patients." And there’s also hands-on workshops, COPE-approved 30 minute "Crash Course" sessions, and a Frame Buyers Certificate Program.
Networking
VEE offers lots of great options to network with those in the eye care field. For starters, on Thursday evening Prevent Blindness America will honor their Person of Vision Award winner for 2016 with a cocktail reception and dinner.
Friday night will bring a variety of after-hour happenings, including the VEE 30th anniversary champagne toast, ODs on Facebook Party, The Vision Council's Annual Sunglass and Reader Division Networking Reception, and dance the night away to the Eye Docs of Rock Party & Vision Expo Opening Night Party.
And the fun continues on Saturday when the Vision Choice Awards winner is announced, the Young Professionals Club Party gets underway, and the EyeRock: Rockin' for New Eyes benefit concert gets underway.
Exhibit Hall
As always, the Vision East Exhibit Hall will be a-buzz with product launches galore.
One great way to see the latest and greatest in frames is at the first-ever Eyewear Showcase on Friday, April 15 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. in the Galleria Lounge at the Javits Center. The showcase is presented by nine members of the Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA) and designers Patty Perreira of Barton Perreira; Blake Kuwahara of Blake Kuwahara; Christian Roth of Christian Roth, Daniel Silberman of Illesteva; Gai Gherardi of L.A. Eyeworks; Shane Baum of Leisure Society; Jeff Press of Morgenthal Frederics; Robert Marc of Robert Marc; and Selima Salaun of Selima Otique will show off their latest designs and answer questions.
Other notable exhibitor launches include:
- Carl Zeiss will highlight its new DriveSafe lenses for those who want to feel safer driving with their everyday lenses.
- Götti Switzerland will showcase their newest styles, featuring retro and modern concept sunglasses, titanium frames, and acetate frames.
- Randolph Engineering will debut the Foundry Collection of 12 frame styles for both men and women, all made from military-grade stainless steel.
- D-EYE will showcase its smartphone-based retinal imaging system — a portable digital ophthalmoscope capable of imaging the posterior of the eye.
- LIEBESKIND – Berlin will hold the US debut of their new eyewear collections at their flagship store in NYC.
- L'AMY America will launch its Spring/Summer 2016 Nicole Miller collection featuring seven sunglasses inspired by Miller's Spring 2016 graffiti collection.
- Acuity Pro will showcase its latest version of the acuity testing software suite VisionScience Software.
- BrillenEyes will present its new Reykjavik Eyes Black Label collection of Italian-crafted, screwless eyewear.
- RE Ranger will introduce new lenses, MAX-Light and Modified Brown, as well as engineering updates to the Falcon Sport and Falcon PRO frames.
- Smart Vision Labs recently announced the addition of two second-generation smart autorefractors — the SVOne Enterprise and the SVOne Pro.
- iGreen Eyewear will launch a new custom collection with a lighter weight and available in 350 new colors.
Vision Expo East takes place April 14-17, 2016 at the Javits Center in New York City. For more information, visit VisionExpoEast.com.
Photos courtesy Vision Expo East