By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK—Last week, the optical community descended on New York City for Vision Expo East, the show’s final edition in the Big Apple before it heads to Orlando beginning in 2025. In addition to the thousands of ECPs, buyers, students and sellers, Vision Expo East 2024 showcased the second annual NOW Awards, over 450 exhibitors and more than 200 education sessions. As
reported in
VMAIL, Fran Pennella, vice president, Vision Expo at RX, said, “We could not be happier to close out our final show in New York City on such a high note." As we set our sights on Las Vegas for Vision Expo West in September, and Orlando for 2025, let’s take a look back at how some Indies spent their last Vision Expo East in New York.
By Staff
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:25 AM
The team at Woolf Eye Lab in Pasadena, Md., welcomed Ramadan.
By Staff
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—No matter what the weather feels like where you are, Spring is officially here, bringing with it longer days, warmer air, gorgeous florals and that optimistic feel that comes with the change in seasons. As we warm into March and welcome Spring, there’s no better time than now to decorate the office, refresh your practice social media accounts or bring some new, brighter energy into your everyday. This week, we’re taking a look at how some indies are welcoming the start of Spring on social media. Feel free to get inspired for your own Spring celebration.
By Staff
Thursday, March 21, 2024 8:15 AM
Finding funding can be a challenge for businesses of all sizes, whether it’s starting a new small business or looking to grow one you already own. The
U.S. Chamber of Commerce can help small businesses secure loans or grants. Each week, the organization updates its list of loans, small business grants, and other programs and organizations that can help small businesses.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:30 AM
ATLANTA—On March 3, SECO 2024 closed its five-day annual event of optometric education. As
reported in
VMAIL, the event, which featured special sessions, breakfast symposiums, hot topic breakfasts, awards events and an exhibit hall featuring more than 160 exhibitors, welcomed thousands of ECPs here. From executives to education professionals to tech experts to ODs, SECO 2024 created a hub for optometric minds.
By Staff
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:25 AM
In Houston, Texas, the
Eye Shop Eyecare team is preparing for the upcoming solar eclipse.
By Staff
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—March is Save Your Vision Month, first proposed by the American Optometric Association as a way to remind all of us to keep eye health at the forefront of our minds. With its wide-ranging theme, Save Your Vision Month provides countless opportunities for the optical community to reach out, interact with our local communities, and champion the importance of keeping our eyes healthy and protected. There’s still plenty of time to get involved—and plenty of ways to make a difference.
By Staff
Thursday, March 7, 2024 8:15 AM
Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman, head of the
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the voice in President Biden’s cabinet for America’s 33 million small businesses, traveled to Detroit, Mich., recently to kick off the Investing in America tour to shine a spotlight on the Black Small Business Boom.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 8:30 AM
ORLANDO, Fla.—From February 11 through 14, hundreds of ECPs gathered here for the 2024 edition of Transitions Academy. In front of more than 1,300 attendees from around the world, Chrystel Barranger, president, Transitions Optical, and president, EssilorLuxottica Wholesale EMEA, announced the launch of Transitions Gen S, as
reported in
VMAIL from Academy. In addition to this major product launch, the three-day event included breakout educational sessions, a brand experience and a number of networking opportunities. Here, we’re taking a look at a snapshot of Transitions Academy through the eyes of independent ECPs who were on-site.
By Staff
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 8:25 AM
The team at
Edge Optics in Fort Collins, Colo., got all dolled up for Star Staff Celebration Night.
By Staff
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—Prevent Blindness declared February as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Low Vision Awareness Month, encouraging the eyecare community to spread awareness and education about these conditions throughout the month. On their end, Prevent Blindness is offering a variety of free educational resources to the public and professionals, including fact sheets and social media graphics in English and Spanish, dedicated online resources and informative videos, as
reported in
VMAIL.
By Staff
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 8:15 AM
CHICAGO—
Main Street America has announced that it will be accepting applications for its Backing Small Business grant program from March 14 through April 7, 2024. Offered in partnership with
American Express, the program supports economically vulnerable and under-resourced small businesses with community reach. This year, according to Main Street America, eligible small business owners can apply for $10,000 grants for projects that grow or improve their business by building community, supporting their economic viability, or bolstering meaningful change.
By Gwendolyn Plummer
Thursday, February 8, 2024 8:30 AM
NEW YORK and MILAN, Italy—Over 40,000 people headed to Milan this month for the 2024 edition of
Mido. The show welcomed visitors from over 160 countries—including many Americans who made the trek across the Atlantic to take a look at Italian eyewear up close and personal. Mido organizers reported a major success this year, with an 11 percent gain in visitors over last year and an active presence overall. Mido president Giovanni Vitaloni said, “Prior to the show opening, we had hoped for an increase in visitors compared to last year. Thanks to everyone’s efforts and the industry’s trust in us each year, we achieved the ambitious goal we had set for ourselves." Here, we’re taking a look at how some ECPs spent their time in Milan.
By Staff
Thursday, February 8, 2024 8:25 AM
The team at
Huntley Eye Care in Huntley, Ill., is gearing up for Valentine’s Day.
By Staff
Thursday, February 8, 2024 8:20 AM
NEW YORK—Valentine’s Day is almost upon us, and no matter how—or with who—you spend it, February 14 provides all of us with a great opportunity to spread love. Ahead of the holiday, many ECPs are taking to social media to share messages about loving your eyes and your eyewear—and finding the perfect pair of frames as a gift for the ones you love this month. There’s still a little time left before the holiday, so feel free to get inspired and create your own social media posts, too.