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Vision Expo West Event to Offer Guidance to New Business Owners

Vision Expo West introduces The Next Generation of Retailers – Speed Dating event at this year’s Show. For the first time ever, new and potential business owners will have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with some of the industry’s most successful independent retailers to learn the ins and outs of business ownership.

New and potential business owners interested in participating can submit their application online.

Hosted by Erinn Morgan, editor-in-chief of Eyecare Business Magazine, and James Spina, editor-in-chief of 20/20 Magazine, the event will take place Thursday, Sept. 19 in The OPTImum Lounge (Booth #18130) from 3 p.m.–4p.m.

Participating retailers include:

  • Edward Beiner, owner of Edward Beiner Eyewear
  • Siobhán Burns, owner of The Eyeglass Lass
  • Julia Gogosha, owner of Gogosha Optique
  • Tanya Gill, OD and owner of Oakland Vision Center
  • Stephanie Haenes, COO and owner of Art of Optiks
  • Utenzi Miller, owner of Elegant Eyes
  • Nate Ogura, owner of Eyes on Fremont
  • Todd Rogers, owner of Todd Rogers Eyewear
  • Selima Salaun, owner of Selima Optique
  • Wendy Salle, owner of Salle Opticians

Following the event, a sangria reception hosted by Etnia Barcelona will be open to all Vision Expo West attendees.

“Etnia Barcelona is extremely excited to sponsor The Next Generation of Retailers – Speed Dating event,” said Pablo Cobian, U.S. general manager for Etnia Barcelona. “All the panel members are independent and unique in their own way, matching perfectly with the Etnia Barcelona core values. As the optical industry is expanding and growing, Etnia Barcelona is in a great position to partner with Vision Expo West to bring a fun new form of networking to the independent optician that helps build relationships across the industry.”

To register for Vision Expo West 2019, visit visionexpowest.com and be sure to follow along on all of Vision Expo’s social media channels, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Safilo and HUGO BOSS Renew Eyewear License Agreement

Safilo Group and HUGO BOSS announce the renewal of the license agreement for BOSS and HUGO optical and sunglass collections until 31 December 2025.

Angelo Trocchia, CEO of Safilo Group, commented: “This renewal builds on the strength of a trustful and long-lasting business partnership. The BOSS and HUGO collections further reinforce our premium fashion proposition, giving us the opportunity to accelerate this segment’s expansion by offering to our customers two powerful brands with extremely clear and relevant positionings aimed at differing consumer targets and geographies, with products that translate the quality and style of the BOSS and HUGO brands.”

“We are delighted to continue our partnership in the eyewear category with Safilo. Over the years, Safilo has demonstrated that they understand our brand DNA perfectly, translating our values into a product which truly represents us,” says CBO Ingo Wilts. “Safilo has the scale and the capabilities to implement our strategic vision to continually add value to our brands also through product categories such as eyewear, both optical and sun, which continue to gain importance as a fashion accessory especially in the digital world where we can count on our very engaged, digital-savvy global community.”

Source: Safilo

Transitions Optical Forms Canadian Pro Forum and Announces Members

Transitions Optical has announced the formation of an advisory Pro Forum in Canada. The group consists of Canadian eye care professionals and is intended to provide insights on a variety of industry topics, issues and trends, as well as feedback for the company on product recommendations, advertising, patient communication, demonstration tools and trade programs to meet patient needs. The group met for its inaugural meeting August 15-18 in Niagara Falls, Ontario, alongside the successful U.S. Pro Forum group, which was formed in 2012.

“Our Pro Forum has been invaluable to us as we seek to provide the best possible products for the widest group of patients, and the most effective tools and resources for the optical industry,” said Patience Cook, director, North America marketing, Transitions Optical. “The Pro Forum’s insights have consistently helped us learn and improve and adding the experience of this diverse and talented group of Canadian eyecare professionals will help us further meet patient needs.” 

The Pro Forum meets formally twice a year, during Transitions Academy and again each summer. Eyecare professionals from Canada who interested in joining the group can contact Transitions Customer Service at 1-877-254-2590 to inquire about additional slots.

Meet the Canada Pro Forum Members for 2019:

  • Trisha Beal, O.D. Brant Family Eyecare, Brantford, Ontario
  • Christine Paré-Denis, O.D.Le Lunetier Blainville, Blainville Québec
  • Raouf Hakim, OpticianLopticien.ca, Laval, Québec
  • Rachel Hill, Optician Personal Optical, St. Catharines, Ontario
  • Eddy Kam Hong Hung, Optician – Eye Station Optical, Richmond, British Columbia
  • Trevor Miranda, O.D. Cowichan Eyecare, Cobble Hill, British Columbia (not pictured)
  • Diana Monea, O.D. – Eye Health Centre, Regina, Saskatchewan
  • Marie Trudel, OpticianMa Vue – Marie Trudel Opticienne, Québec City, Québec
  • Wael Yassein, Optician The Eye Shoppe, Oshawa, Ontario

AAO Foundation Selects Contact Lens Residency Award Recipient

The AAO Foundation announced Jocelyn Ou, OD, as this year’s recipient of the Bert C. and Lydia M. Corwin Contact Lens Residency award.

Dr. Ou is a cornea and contact lens resident at the Ketchum Health University Eye Center, was chosen by a committee of members in the Section on Cornea, Contact Lenses & Refractive Technologies of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO). The award is intended to promote the practice and development of the field of contact lenses by providing incentive and support to talented optometric residents who demonstrate a passion and commitment to practice, research, and education.

Barry A. Weissman, OD, FAAO said, “I have found Jocelyn to be a most intelligent, conscientious, skilled optometrist, and a very caring clinician. I have enjoyed serving as her mentor and expect to see great things from her as her career evolves.

Of the eleven applicants who applied to the program, Jocelyn presented an impressive resume of experience in clinical, volunteer service, research, and lecture presentation. Jocelyn will receive a $2,000 education award and a $750 travel fellowship to attend Academy 2019 Orlando and 3 rd World Congress of Optometry in October.

Make People Green with Envy

Ørgreen Optics creates high-end designer eyewear in precious metals. Handcrafted in Japan with timeless, innovative and minimalist designs, offering quality and functionality. Padehatten is a charming panto-style unisex frame, ideal for middle-size faces. This classic design, updated with its sandblasted titanium frame and nose pads, offered in a modern colour pallet.

Distributed by Orgreen: https://orgreenoptics.com/

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