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February 6, 2020February 4, 2020

2020 SALON VISION-R Registration is Open

REGARD ACTION’s SALON VISION-R and the Optical Summit East from the Opticians Association of Canada (OAC) come together this year to form a single meeting for Canada’s optical professionals. All eye care professionals -opticians, optometrists, support staff and students- are invited to discover new products, promising technologies and services that will redefine tomorrow’s market.

Registration is now open (simultaneous translation will be on site for training sessions). Save the date: Saturday, May 2, 2020 at the Manoir Saint-Sauveur, QC.

The event features more than 50 suppliers, 4 hours of training, dinner (included if attending the exhibition hall) and an evening under the Casino Royale theme … Only 350 places are available for the Casino Royale evening.

For entrepreneurial opticians and optometrists, a special evening will also be organised to introduce eye care professionals who have taken the leap into entrepreneurship. They will be there to advise attendees and share their challenges and tips for success.

For a free invitation, contact Jacques Bienvenu at jbienvenu@regardaction.com. This evening will be held on Friday, May 1 at the Manoir Saint-Sauveur from 6:30 PM to 9 PM (dinner included).

Registration ends on March 27, 2020.

Online registration: https://regardaction.com/professionnels/salon-vision-r/

Click HERE for the full press release.

February 5, 2020May 20, 2026

Creation of an Innovative and Minimalist Structure

Morel by Nathalie Blanc is an exclusive, premium collection. Extreme care has
gone into crafting these frames, from the early sketches to the finishing touches.
Their innovative structure and trendy design make these frames exceptional.
These frames with titanium nose pads, easily adjustable temples and Nathalie
Blanc Signature on the temple tip are a creation of an innovative and minimalist
structure.

Photo: Model 90002C

Distributed by Lanctôt: www.rlanctot.com

February 4, 2020February 5, 2020

Grimard, Vision Care Centre, Winners at Transitions Academy Awards

Capping off two full days of entertainment, education and engagement, the annual Transitions Academy, held in Orlando, FL, honoured their best-in-class partners 7 different categories. Several Canadian players are represented in the Award Finalists.

Grimard Optique was the winner of the Canadian Retailer of the Year category.

Vision Care Centre of Toronto, Ontario was named Canadian Eyecare Practice of the Year.

Here are the Finalists in the Canadian categories:

Canadian Eyecare Practice of the Year

Eye Station Optical, based in Richmond BC. Their 2019 initiatives generated a 30% penetration rate of Transitions lenses sales.
LOPTICIEN.CA, based in Laval, QC. Demonstrated an absolute increase in Transitions pairs sold of 68%.

Vision Care Centre, Toronto-based Optometry practice. Deployed interactive demo tools to generate 36.5% penetration rate for Transitions lenses.

Canadian Retailer of the Year

Grimard Optique, recently acquired by FYidoctors and COSTCO Optical Canada are the nominees for Canadian Retailer of the year

Several Canadian organizations are also nominated in categories that include international entrants.

Best in Marketing

Bonlook, founded in 2011 was among three finalists. The family-run business, defines its mission as providing an eyewear wardrobe with quality lenses featuring styles designed in Montreal. Bonlook is up against nominees Spring Hill Eyecare, an independent Optometry practice in Tennessee, and Value Optical, a previous finalist in 2017 and 2018, based in Trinidad and Tobago.

Best in Training

Costco Canada earned a nomination in the training category and are up against LensCrafters (USA) and Walman Optical.

February 4, 2020February 5, 2020

The Vision Council Announces New Direction for 2020

The Vision Council shared details on its five-year plan and a new consumer marketing strategy launching in 2020. The announcement follows The Vision Council’s annual Executive Summit, held last week, Jan. 29–31, in Manalapan, Florida, during which The Vision Council introduced its five-year plan, inducted its 2020 Board of Directors, and shared exclusive insight on the dynamic changes ahead for the industry.

“2020 has the potential to be an incredibly exciting year for the vision community,” said Ashley Mills, CEO of The Vision Council. “We are seizing this moment to reexamine our goals and set a new direction for The Vision Council that will amplify growth opportunities for our industry and bolster the community through new and existing events.”

A key tenet of The Vision Council’s direction for 2020 and beyond is a new consumer marketing strategy. The Vision Council will shift from its current approach of three social media and public relations campaigns to a more streamlined digital media campaign strategy in partnership with Think About Your Eyes, the national public awareness campaign presented by The Vision Council and the American Optometric Association that aims to promote the importance of getting an annual comprehensive eye exam with an optometrist.

As part of the new strategy, the content from The Vision Council’s consumer campaigns—including Eyecessorize, National Sunglasses Day, and Digital Eye Strain—will populate Think About Your Eyes’ new website. The Vision Council will also launch a new website later this year, with all content curated specifically for The Vision Council members and industry experts. Similarly, The Vision Council’s social media channels will feature content curated for members and industry experts.

Another key element of The Vision Council’s plans for 2020 is the reimagination of Vision Expo, with phase one of a two-phase concept launching at Vision Expo East 2020. Together with co-owner of the Show Reed Exhibitions, The Vision Council has introduced a bold new vision for the signature event.

February 3, 2020February 3, 2020

Optik Magazine Appoints New Editor-in-Chief

Optik Magazine is pleased to announce the appointment of Shan Khan, R.O, as its new Editor-in-Chief.

Khan, a self-confessed “optical nerd,” brings 30 years of optical industry experience to the role. Her varied professional experience as an industry representative, a practice consultant, a business owner, an optician and educator provides a unique and broadly-informed perspective on the issues facing the optical industry.

As a prominent graduate and instructor from the Seneca Opticianry program, Khan was recently honoured as a nominee for the prestigious Ontario Premier’s Awards in the Health Sciences Category.

Khan’s editorial debut will be made in the February-March issue of Optik, where she writes that she looks forward to working with industry leaders in all segments of our exciting industry: “I believe our community can be stronger when we work and imagine ourselves as a team.”

Welcome to the Optik Family, Shan.