VisionMonday

Officers and New Directors Elected at the Vision Council, Annual Summit Program Explores Range of Issues

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:30:00 GMT

AVENTURA, Fla.—Election of officers and new directors were elected by the membership of the Vision Council during the organization's annual Executive Summit here in late January.

TLC Vision Signs $134.4 Million Restructuring Agreement With Equity Firm Charlesbank, in Return for Its Assets

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:27:00 GMT

ST. LOUIS—Refractive surgery firm TLC Vision (OTC: TLCVQ.PK) has signed an agreement with affiliates of a fund managed by private equity firm Charlesbank Capital Partners designed to bring TLC Vision out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

Ball Named CFO of VSP Global

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:24:00 GMT

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP Global announced that Donald J. Ball Jr. has been named its chief financial officer.

Eyes of Faith to Partner With RestoringVision.org

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:21:00 GMT

WEST MIDDLESEX, Pa.—Purpose-driven eyewear company Eyes of Faith Optical has announced a partnership with RestoringVision.org, a non-profit organization which supplies reading glasses and sunglasses to groups going on missions abroad as well as those serving the underprivileged in the U.S.

Are You One of VM’s Top 50 U.S. Optical Retailers?

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:18:00 GMT

NEW YORK—In the May 17 print edition of Vision Monday and on VisionMonday.com, VM will once again highlight the nation’s Top 50 Optical Retailers, ranked by eyewear/eyecare revenues in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico) for the 2009 calendar year.

If your company or practice has at least three locations and you feel it belongs among the elite VM Top 50, fill out our Top 50 Optical Retailers questionnaire to be considered for inclusion. Or you can go to VisionMonday.com and click on the pop-up ad. (You may have already received this questionnaire via email; if so, please follow instructions in that email.)

The deadline for submitting your VM Top 50 questionnaire is Friday, Feb. 26.

Don’t be left out of this important industry recognition—complete your questionnaire today!

Now on VisionMonday.com: High Visibility Features Enough to Go Around Plus It’s Back to School for Transition Academy Attendees

Mon, 08 Feb 2010 00:15:00 GMT

NEW YORK—We are officially in the thick of awards season and high profile celebrity events abound. If you pair the abundance of awards ceremonies with the winter sporting events that are also taking place then there is no shortage of high visibility items to go around. And that’s exactly what the latest edition of High Visibility: Enough to Go Around, now up on VisionMonday.com is about, featuring companies like Marchon, ClearVision, Oakley and The Vision Council and how they are capitalizing on the increased exposure.

It was back to school days for the 1,400-plus attendees at Transitions Academy held at the Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resort in Orlando from Jan. 31 to Feb. 2. View a slide show highlighting the three days of seminars and socializing at the 14th annual Transitions Academy meeting, only @VisionMonday.com.

Transitions Names Winchester Optical 'Lab of Year' at 14th Annual Transitions Academy

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:36:00 GMT

ORLANDO—More than 1,400 people attended this year's Transitions Academy, held here Jan. 31 to Feb. 2, to see Winchester Optical named the company's Lab of the Year and hear Transitions executives outline plans for next month's launch of the new Transitions XTRActive photochromic lens.

McGrann Named Chief Technology Officer of VSP Global, Baker Named President of Eyefinity/OfficeMate

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:33:00 GMT

RANCHO CORDOVA, Calif.—VSP Global said this week that Jim McGrann, most recently Eyefinity/OfficeMate president, has been named chief technology officer for VSP Global.

OWA to Honor Ventura, Fraboni at NYC Event Next Month

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:30:00 GMT

NEW YORK—The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) will be honoring two of its longtime members at an event next month in New York.

Reed Exhibitions Promotes Vision Expo Executives

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:27:00 GMT

NORWALK, Conn.—Reed Exhibitions has promoted two International Vision Expo show management team leaders. Tom Loughran has been promoted from event director to industry vice president and Courtney Muller moves from group vice president to a senior vice president position within Reed Exhibitions.

New Speakers Added to Roster for March 17 VM Global Leadership Summit

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:24:00 GMT

NEW YORK—New speakers have been added to the program roster for the 2010 Vision Monday Global Leadership Summit scheduled to take place in midtown Manhattan on March 17, 2010. The must-attend event is designed for industry decision-makers to learn about “game-changing” issues with featured leaders from the U.S. and international eyecare business, industry execs, ECPs, key opinion leaders and outside experts.

"The theme of this year’s program is 'Mindset: Reset' and will include sessions on understanding today’s consumer and patient priorities, successful optical and eyecare strategies, the eye health opportunity, the future of optometry and a special session on digital media," said Marge Axelrad, SVP/Editorial Director of Vision Monday.

Among the just-added speakers for the 2010 Vision Monday Global Leadership Summit are: Marc Gobe, best-selling author of “Emotional Branding” and “BrandJam,” founder of Desgrippes Gobe, global branding and media consultancy; Jack Schaeffer, OD, president and CEO, Schaeffer Eye Centers; David A. Heath, OD, EdM, president of SUNY-College of Optometry and Board Member, American Board of Optometry; Kristen McCabe, senior director of product, sun & luxury brands, Luxottica Retail; and Richard Golden, president and CEO of SEE.

Other confirmed speakers include: Bill Jehling, president and CEO, Clarkson Eyecare; Randy Brooks, OD, president of the American Optometric Association; Tim Jankowski, OD, vice-chair, VSP Global board of directors; Kelly Carter, VP merchandising and sales development, Eye Care Centers of America; Pamela Miller, OD, president, American Optometric Society; and Paul Reich, director sales, YELP.com.

The Vision Monday Global Leadership Summit will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on March 17. The 2010 Vision Monday Global Leadership Summit sponsors include DAC Vision, The Vision Council, Luxottica Group, Carl Zeiss Vision, and CIBA Vision.

Register before March 1, 2010 for an early bird special price of $245.

Lighthouse International Acquires National Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH)

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:21:00 GMT

NEW YORK—Lighthouse International acquired the National Association for Visually Handicapped (NAVH), effective Jan. 29, 2010, according to the boards of both organizations.

20/20 Opticianry Study Center Gets Online Makeover

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:18:00 GMT

NEW YORK—The 20/20 Opticianry Study Center has launched a newly redesigned Web site 2020mag.com/ce to offer optical professionals an enhanced user experience for all their continuing education needs.

Correction

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:15:00 GMT

An item about the National Association of Vision Care Plans in the Feb. 2 edition of VMail incorrectly identified the optometric organization that recently resigned its membership in the NAVCP. It was the American Optometric Association that resigned from the NAVCP in December.

Optical Laboratories Association and The Vision Council Announce Plans to Begin Merge Process, Sign Letter of Intent

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:39:00 GMT

MIAMI, Fla.—The Executive Committees of Optical Laboratories Association (OLA) and The Vision Council met last week, during The Vision Council’s annual Executive Summit here, to conclude discussions ongoing since May 2009 and to confirm their intention to merge the two organizations.

Paul Beahm Succeeds Jeff McAllister as Senior VP of Wal-Mart’s Health/Wellness Operation, Including Optical

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:36:00 GMT

BENTONVILLE, Ark.—As part of a series of organizational changes announced last week by Wal-Mart (NYSE: WMT), Paul Beahm is now senior vice president of the retail giant’s health and wellness operations, which includes its optical business as well as Wal-Mart’s pharmacy operation.

Transitions President Brett Craig Adds VP Role at PPG

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:34:00 GMT

PITTSBURGH—PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) has appointed Brett Craig vice president, PPG, effective March 1. He remains president of Transitions Optical.

At Annual Planning Meeting, NAVCP Board Focuses on Consumer Access to Vision Care

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:33:00 GMT

NAPLES, Fla.—The National Association of Vision Care Plans’ board of directors—meeting here last week for the organization’s annual strategic-planning session—has reconfirmed the trade association’s mission to achieve efficient consumer access to quality vision care.

Standard Optical Partners With SoloHealth to Bring Free Vision Testing Kiosks to Utah

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:32:00 GMT

SALT LAKE CITY—Standard Optical, the Utah-based optical retail chain, is partnering with SoloHealth to install 14 self-service vision-testing kiosks in grocery stores in the Salt Lake City area and St. George, Utah. The kiosks, which are free to use, are located near the pharmacies at assorted Smith’s and Associated Foods Stores.

Hardy Named President of Optelec US, Hanlon Named VP Operations

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:30:00 GMT

VISTA, Calif.—Optelec US, a supplier of assistive technologies for the blind and visually impaired, announced that Andre Hardy has been appointed president.

Viva Announces New License Agreement With Designer Mark Nason

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:27:00 GMT

SOMERVILLE, N.J.—Viva International Group has announced a global licensing agreement with footwear designer Mark Nason, for the design, marketing and global distribution of Mark Nason-branded eyewear, including sunglasses and prescription eyewear.

Oliver Peoples Announces Eyewear Collaboration With Balmain for 2010

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:24:00 GMT

LOS ANGELES—Oliver Peoples has collaborated with luxury fashion house Balmain for the brand’s first eyewear designs, two limited-edition sunglass styles to be introduced in Spring 2010.

Prevent Blindness America Plans 3rd Annual Swing Fore Sight Golf Tourney

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:21:00 GMT

CHICAGO—Prevent Blindness America (PBA) is currently seeking sponsors for its 3^rd Annual Swing Fore Sight Golf Tournament to be held on Oct. 6, 2010 at the Bali Hai Golf Club in Las Vegas.

Essilor Closes Duffens Optical Lab in Salina, Kansas

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:18:00 GMT

SALINA, Kan.—Essilor has closed the Salina, Kansas branch of Duffens Optical. The lab, which employed seven workers, closed its doors on Jan. 28.

New on VisionMonday.com: Mental Health in Congress and Music’s Biggest Night

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:15:00 GMT

NEW YORK—There’s a lot going on in Congress right now, including legislation that could affect your business. The Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act of 2008 (MHPAEA) took effect for most group health plan sponsors on Jan. 1 and to make your life easier, VisionMonday.com was sure to break down the nuts and bolts of what this means to employers in Personnel File: It’s Your Business.

On a much lighter side, in the latest edition of Bold Face: The 2010 Grammys; We’re All Fans, VisionMonday.com reviews Music's Biggest Night with a roundup of the hottest artists nominated for this year’s awards wearing some of the sun styles that have already won their affection from Marchon, VonZipper, Altair and Sama. The 52^nd Annual Grammy Awards aired live Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 31, on CBS.