The opening session included awards and a presentation by AOA president Dori Carlson, OD. The highlight of the GWCO Congress was the president’s reception where Scott Nehring, OD was welcomed with a Tailgate Party in honor of his love for the Oregon Ducks college football team.

PORTLAND, Ore.—The Great Western Council of Optometry (GWCO) www.gwco.org, held its 21st Annual Congress at the Oregon Convention Center here from Oct. 6 to 9, and attracted a record crowd of more than 1,200 optometrists, allied ophthalmic professionals, students, vendors, and sponsors, according to an announcement from the organization.

The opening general session kicked off the event with awards for the outgoing president, David Masihdas, OD from Utah and incoming president Scott Nehring, OD from Oregon. Other honors included Lori Youngman, OD who was awarded OD of the Year while Dori Carlson, OD, AOA president gave the opening presentation.

The exhibit hall included a frame boutique and demonstration room. Incoming GWOC president Scott Nehring, OD with some of his fellow optometrists.

According to the GWOC, classrooms were filled to capacity and the speaker lineup included: Marc R. Bloomenstein, OD, FEEO; Aaron Bronner, OD, FAAO; Mile Brujic, OD; Diane Drake, LDO, ABOM, FCLSA; Mark Dunbar, OD, FAAO; Cathy J. Evans, AVOC, FNOA; Ian Benjamin Gaddie, OD, FAAO; Eva Kroneker, CCOA, CRC; David Mashidas, OD; Scott Morris, OD, FAAO; Kelly K. Nichols, OD, MPH, PhD, FAAO Dipl PH; William V. Padula, OD, DPNAP, FAAO, FNORA; Mark F. Tafoya, OD, MD; Stanley Teplick, MD; William Townsend, OD, FAAO; and Doug Devries, OD.

As GWCO president Nehring opened the exhibit hall, each participant was greeted with leis while Hawaiian dancers and singers added to the island-inspired atmosphere. Back and neck massages, Wi-Fi lounge, demonstration room, a frame boutique and GWCO ConneX job board were all a part of the Marketplace special features. A Hawaiian themed reception brought participants, vendors, and sponsors together for a few hours of social networking and prize drawings, including the grand prize of a 46 inch flat-panel TV.

Major sponsors for the GWCO 2011 Congress included: Alcon, The Vision Care Institute, LLC, Allergan, PECAA, HOYA, VSP Vision Care for Life, Abbott Medical Optics, Transitions, Bausch + Lomb, CIBA Vision, Pacific Cataract and Laser Institute, Johnson & Johnson Vision Care Inc., Lens Alert, Marco, Retina & Macula Specialists, Teplick Custom Vision and Northwest Eye Surgeons.

Next year’s Congress is scheduled for Sept. 27 to 30.