Hope, smiles from the threshold of the year to come, whispering ‘it will be happier’…” Alfred Lord Tennyson

For the past few weeks, we VMers have been immersed in looking back at events that happened in 2015, in both the optical industry and the world at large. Check out our cover story which begins on Page 49. Let’s take a look ahead, to what we hope will be a creative and exciting 2016 filled with possibility. Here’s a glimpse of what we’re planning.

Our fascination with Millennials will continue with a two-part Millennial Project feature launching in February, offering practical tips and tools to reach those in the Millennial Generation and of the Millennial mindset. Also kicking off in February is our special two-part feature Optical on Main Street, which will examine independent retailing as well as independent ECPs across America.

April will mark Vision Monday’s 10th annual Global Leadership Summit, one of the most anticipated events in the eyewear and optical industry geared for senior level executives. The Summit’s theme, “BrainStorm,” will be addressed by experts from the fields of neuroscience, telemedicine, artificial intelligence, wearable technology, retailing, economics and eyecare. This year’s event will be more interactive as speakers and panelists will take part in a dynamic program that will add a new dimension to the Summit experience.

In July, we’ll examine The Aging Eye concentrating on how it affects Baby Boomers, eye health and potential low vision solutions. And throughout the year, we’ll continue to bring you our exclusive signature reports including Top Labs, Top 50 Retailers and the 14th Annual Most Influential Women in Optical.

In a somber vein, 2015 is ending grimly, as evidenced by the dramatic uptick in violence here at home in the U.S. and abroad. We at Vision Monday hope for a safer, more peaceful world in 2016, and wish you a happier New Year.

mkane@jobson.com