Vision Expo East marks 25 years

The International Vision Expo and Conference East (VEE) will celebrate its 25th year March 16-20 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City. To mark the silver anniversary, conference organizers have planned several special programs. In addition, the meeting will feature a host of new improvements and courses to better benefit this year's attendees.

Twenty-five years ago, VEE commenced to bring together the worlds of International optical fashion, medical equipment, and lens technologies. Through quality continuing education (CE) sessions and hands-on product comparisons and evaluations, VEE has helped optometrists enhance their clinical and professional skills as well as their business acumen. Today, VEE has become the pre-eminent fashion and medical eye-care event.

Celebrating educational excellence

In addition, attendees are invited to celebrate VEE's 25th anniversary on Saturday, March 19 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the new North Hall walkway.

Finally, attendees are encouraged to send in pictures of themselves and colleagues at a VEE event. Photos can be sent to Leigh Roell at lroell@reedexpo.com
and will be posted to the Vision Expo Web site commemorating the successful 25-year run.

Every year, VEE adds new content and features to provide a dynamic educational experience for attendees. This year, more than 60 new courses have been added to help fill a schedule covering more than 220 unique concepts including clinical care, new technologies, patient care, and practice management.

One highly anticipated addition to the CE program is the reputable Management and Business Academy (MBA), created by CIBA Vision and Essilor and endorsed by American Optometric Association. The day-and-a-half program, which kicks off the conference, comprises 10 hours of classroom instruction that will provide proven techniques from effectively managing staff and finances to developing patient loyalty and boosting referrals.

"The addition of the MBA program will provide a strong opportunity for attendees to advance their knowledge and skill set," said Kirk Smick, OD, FAAO, chairman of the International Vision Expo Conference advisory board. "Offering independent optometrists and their staff the chance to participate in the premier business education program for optometry is one of the exciting developments making this year's show even more beneficial for attendees."

In addition to the MBA courses, VEE will be offering CE courses in conjunction with a number of other highly regarded organizations, including the Ocular Surface Society of Optometrists, the Optometric Council on Refractive Technology, the Optometric Nutrition Society, the Optometric Retina Society, and others. And, for those preparing for the board certification exam, VEE 2011 will introduce 21 hours of review courses specifically designed to provide optometrists with comprehensive preparation.

Attendees also can look forward to a new breakout of course content. This year, the CE program will be divided into interest areas making it easier for attendees to select courses focused on a particular topic or to create an educational strategy that combines sessions from multiple areas.