SCENE + HEARD: Meetings Celebrity Ambassadors Join With Optical Industry Leaders at Transitions Academy By John Sailer Friday, February 1, 2013 12:30 PM ORLANDO, Fla.—Transitions Optical’s 17th Annual Academy was packed with celebrity appearances, awards presentations and educational sessions for the third consecutive year at the Rosen Shingle Creek resort. Among the highlights of the event were a surprise concert by Grammy winner Darius Rucker, former lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish, and the annual awards program, which continues to add new categories. View this VisionMonday.com slideshow to see who attended the event, the winners of this year’s Academy Awards and other sightings of celebrities and optical industry leaders. Transitions Academy 2013 » "We don't want to just provide a lens," said Transitions' president Dave Cole, "so we've set a new vision for our company, to enrich the way people see and experience life." Transitions Academy 2013 » The actress who played mistress of ceremonies kept things moving along and the audience laughing with her ad-libbed witticisms. Transitions Academy 2013 » Among the performers was Transitions' own Brian Hauser, general manager, U.S. and Canada. Transitions Academy 2013 » As one of Transition's newest celebrity ambassadors, Grammy-winning country music star and former lead singer of Hootie and the Blowfish made a surprise performance. Transitions Academy 2013 » Baseball legend Cal Ripken, Jr., said, "Transitions is a great fit for me at this point in my life," in the video that he used to virtually attend the event. Transitions Academy 2013 » Star of the Food Network's Restaurant Impossible, Robert Irvine also made an appearance at Transitions Academy as one of the company's celebrity ambassadors. Transitions Academy 2013 » Two of Transitions' newest celebrity spokespeople introduced at the event are from National Geographic—photographer Annie Griffiths and writer Andrew Evans. Transitions Academy 2013 » Complete Family Vision Care was recognized as the 2012 Eyecare Practice of the Year for promoting eye health and the Transitions brand within its practice and community. Transitions Academy 2013 » The honor of 2012 National Retailer of the Year went to National Vision, Inc. Transitions Academy 2013 » SVS Vision Optical Centers earned the distinction of 2012 Regional Retailer of the Year. Transitions Academy 2013 » Diversified Ophthalmics, Inc. was named the 2012 Transitions Lab of the Year, a distinction the Cincinnati-based lab also took home in 2005. Transitions Academy 2013 » Peter Kehoe, OD, DOS, FAAO, moderated a discussion with panelists from Eyecare Practice of the Year Finalists—Arizona Family Vision Care, Clarus Optical and Complete Family Vision Care. Transitions Academy 2013 » Representing Regional Retailer of the Year finalists, Henry Ford Optimeyes, were Nanette Michaels and Katie Darr. Transitions Academy 2013 » Debbie Bacon of Regional Retailer of the Year finalists, Barnet-Dulaney-Perkins, was in attendance with practice management consultant Greg Wolcott and Aspen Optical's Linda Atwood, ABOC. Transitions Academy 2013 » Lab of the Year Finalist, Expert Optics' Todd Ramlo (l) and Tom Culley. Transitions Academy 2013 » Multiple Lab of the Year winner, Toledo Optical's Jeff Szymanski with Transitions' Renee Himel. Transitions Academy 2013 » Winner of the 2011 Lab of the Year, Optical Prescriptions Lab's Charlie Hunter and Phil Quigley were in attendance. Transitions Academy 2013 » Winner of Lab of the Year in 1996, Three Rivers Optical's Steven C. Seibert. Transitions Academy 2013 » (L to R) Long Island Opticians' Barry and Susan Santini and Metro Optics' Aurora Susi and John Bonizio at Transition's Academy's opening night reception. Transitions Academy 2013 » Representing Canada at the opening reception, Eye Health Centres' Ashlyn Fulkerth and Diana Mones were joined by Transitions' Don R. Ross. Transitions Academy 2013 » (L to R) Transitions' Carol Baez with Dennis Fong, OD, and Essilor's Danne Ventura at the opening reception. Transitions Academy 2013 » As always, world-class performers entertained attendees throughout the event. Transitions Academy 2013 » Oakley's Dawne Hanks and Jobson's Mark Mattison-Shupnick. Transitions Academy 2013 » Transitions' Catherine Rauscher and Mario Bottion. Transitions Academy 2013 » Northeastern Eye Institute's Patricia Thomas, ABOC, NCLC, with Transitions' Tim Fortner. Transitions Academy 2013 » President/CEO of Sunland Optical, Gordon A. Bishop, FNAO, ABOC, RO. Transitions Academy 2013 » (L to R) Dietz Lab's Ed Dietz III with Essilor's James Schrick and Jim Rabbitt. Transitions Academy 2013 » (L to R) Tim Fortner, Joy Gibb, Gina and Dave Edwards, Dave Batteiger and Kristie Green. Transitions Academy 2013 » Teams dressed one of their members as a superhero, who spent the day in costume to earn extra points.