Applications for the 2023 Transitions Change Agent program are now being accepted online until December 31, 2022. Industry professionals interested in becoming a Transitions Change Agent can visit TransitionsPRO.com/ChangeAgent to apply.

Transitions Optical is recruiting eyecare professionals who are looking to change the conversations their peers and patients are having around Transitions^® lenses. To apply, candidates must complete an application form and detail why they want to become a Transitions Change Agent, what they hope to accomplish by participating in the program, link their social media profiles and answer a few additional questions.

“We are seeking industry experts who are passionate about developing partnerships and establishing a social presence,” said Arnaud Rajchenbach, marketing and sales manager, Transitions Optical in Canada. “New members of the Change Agent program will join the existing network of advocates that share product passion and expertise with their peers.”

About the Transitions Change Agent Program

Change Agents will be invited to attend the annual Transitions Academy in Orlando, Fla., where they will meet and network with fellow Transitions Change Agents. Through the program, Change Agents will also be able to participate in professional development and product technology workshops. Additionally, all Change Agents will receive and evaluate a free trial pair of Transitions lenses. Change Agents will have to be active on social media and will develop, in collaboration with Transitions, their in-store marketing to offer their patients a new Transitions in-store experience.

Selected applicants will be notified in February and participate in the program for the 2023 calendar year.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Swarovski and EssilorLuxottica announce that they have signed an exclusive license agreement for the design, manufacture and worldwide distribution of Swarovski Eyewear.

The agreement will be effective until December 31, 2028, with an automatic renewal option of an additional five years. The first collection under the agreement will be available on the market from September 2023.

This agreement combines Swarovski’s creativity and savoir-faire with the knowledge, innovation, and expertise of EssilorLuxottica. The first collection will be developed under the leadership of Swarovski Creative Director Giovanna Engelbert and launched in time for the FW23 season.

Alexis Nasard, CEO of Swarovski, said: “We are delighted to further evolve our Swarovski Eyewear business with global leader EssilorLuxottica. This is in-line with our LUXignite strategy and is a natural partnership for us.”

Francesco Milleri, Chairman and CEO of EssilorLuxottica said: “We are excited to embark on this journey with Swarovski, a brand known for its artful design and incredible attention to detail. We have always seen each pair of frames as a piece of art to be worn, which makes Swarovski and its story such a wonderful fit.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

Transitions Optical gathered over 80 industry professionals for a one-of-a-kind learning train the trainer event—Transitions^® The Studio—on November 8, 2022, at the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa, Ontario. During the invitation-only event, attendees from industry experts took a deeper dive into the Transitions^® lens portfolio of products, discussed effective professional and patient education strategies, and how to incorporate valuable business-building skills into practice.

Isabelle Tremblay, director of sales and marketing, Transitions, and Martin Lespérance, professional trainer and keynote speaker, welcomed attendees and introduced them to Transitions The Studio. Next, Transitions Change Agent Dr. Danielle Gordon kicked off the morning session with a course on fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in the Canadian optical industry.

Chris King, senior global marketing manager and Roxana Dreger, marketing manager, education, concluded Tuesday morning’s session with an “Unlock Your Potential with the Transitions portfolio” workshop to share tips and tricks on how to boost confidence when speaking to consumers about Transitions products. 

The afternoon ramped up with guest speaker ‘The Unstoppable Tracy Schmitt,’ award winning leader in business, honored humanitarian, decorated athlete and best-selling author. In her presentation, Tracy shared how to overcome various obstacles with determination and motivation.

In the next session, Christine Zeggil, National Key Account Executive, Canada, and Dayle Whitecross, Transitions ambassador and Eye Style influencer led the course, “Activating Trends,” where they discussed insights into consumer behavior and ways to integrate best practices into online and in-store activations and displays.

Dr. Kiran Ramesh then shared insights into “How to Put it into Practice,” taking participants through a workshop reviewing ways to integrate professional and educational strategies to elevate career growth and success.

The final course of the afternoon was titled “Build your Transitions Plan,” where Chris King outlined how to set, maintain, and achieve attainable business and training goals.

The event concluded with a cocktail reception followed by a fashion show presented by Indigenous design house Ay Lelum, run by sisters Aunalee Boyd-Good and Sophia Seward-Good. Following the show, dinner was served with entertainment from The Supersonic Hearts Band.

“The Transitions Studio event hosted a unique community of trainers, sales representatives and eyecare professionals that are passionate about educating others on the vision, light protection and style benefits of Transitions lenses in any light,” said Arnaud Rajchenbach, marketing and sales manager, Transitions Optical in Canada. “It was inspiring to see the collaboration between the professionals in the room and the excitement we generated together.”

Click HERE for the full press release.

Bausch + Lomb announced the Canadian launch of Biotrue Advanced Multi-Purpose Solution. The new contact lens solution, which was launched as Biotrue Hydration Plus in the United States in June 2022, is formulated to provide more moisture on lenses and deliver advanced cleaning and disinfection.

“Biotrue Advanced builds upon our original Biotrue®. Biotrue Advanced is designed to meet the needs of patients who depend on their contact lenses for the majority of the day. In fact, one-third of contact lens wearers experience contact lens dryness,” said Geoff Brodkorb, Business Unit Head, Consumer Healthcare and Vision Care, Bausch + Lomb Canada. “This new, innovative multi-purpose solution provides contact lens wearers with advanced comfort and allows them to experience more moisture on their lenses for up to 12 hours, as compared to the original Biotrue.”

Biotrue Advanced contains 25% more hyaluronan (HA), a moisturizer found naturally in tears that envelops the lenses in a moisture-rich cushion, as compared to the original Biotrue. The new solution also contains a combination of ingredients inspired by the Tear Film and Ocular Surface Society’s DEWS II report. These ingredients include potassium, an electrolyte which plays an important role in preserving balance of the ocular surface, as well as erythritol, an antioxidant which protects HA against free radicals. Biotrue Advanced is the only contact lens solution that includes HA, erythritol and potassium.

Click HERE for the full press release.

Launched in 2013, SILMO ISTANBUL – the second-largest business gathering of the SILMO Family – has demonstrated its relevance and leadership for professionals in Turkey and throughout Eastern Europe, Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa.

Held on the shores of the Bosphorus Strait, SILMO ISTANBUL welcomed both local manufacturers and a number of international companies of the optical and eyewear industry. Optical and sunglasses frames from every market segment, glasses lenses, contact lenses, ophthalmic devices and accessories, eye measuring and diagnostic instruments, treatment devices, equipment and tools for workshops and laboratories, machines, and services, the entire sector was present.

From November 17 to 20, 700 brands enjoyed a convivial, first-rate business setting as they welcomed the 11,912 visitors in attendance (+14% compared to 2021), including 9,745 from Turkey and 2,167 from 80 other countries.

This dynamic edition demonstrates the role that Istanbul now plays on the roster of major international optical and eyewear trade shows.

Next year, SILMO ISTANBUL will celebrate its 10^th anniversary. The event promises to be all the more exceptional as it will be held throughout 25,000 m² of renovated infrastructures at the Istanbul Expo Center/Yeşilköy. Enough to accommodate a greater number of exhibitors, provide professionals with improved convenience, and offer new services.

Save the date: November 23-26, 2023 at the Istanbul Expo Center.

Click HERE for the full press release.