NEW YORK—This year’s Vision Expo East represents a milestone for the event as Expo celebrates its 30th anniversary. Every year for 30 years, International Vision Expo has evolved alongside the eyecare profession to continue to offer attendees the latest in education content and delivery, as well as highlight hundreds of exhibitors who are leading the way with product innovation, new technology and fashion forward designs, show organizers said.

The range of education, exhibit hall and networking offerings here caters to all experience levels and all professional backgrounds.

On the education front for 2016, organizers encourage attendees to take advantage of new learning formats like Lightning Rounds, Crash Courses and the Vision Series which have been developed to provide unique expert perspectives on a range of topics in alternative formats to maximize time here. Or, attendees can benefit from more than 100 hours of Business Solutions curriculum addressing the core challenges that optometrists face daily in the areas of leadership, customer experience, human resources, big data, and profitability and growth.

The keynote series returns this year to give access to renowned speakers from within and outside the optical industry and several courses this year will address the future of eyecare.

The Conference Advisory Board co-chairs have identified their top picks of sessions to consider attending.

Outside of the classroom there is plenty to see, do and experience starting with the exhibit hall featuring five football fields of space encompassing fashion, accessories and medical equipment. Vision Expo has added a New Designer Gallery located in The Underground on Level 3 to connect attendees to new and emerging eyewear designers and offer a glimpse of more new products and technology in the New Product Showcase in the Crystal Palace, where attendees can vote for their favorite before 2 pm on Saturday April 16. The winners of both the Best New Product as well as the $500 certificate will be announced that day at 4:00 pm in the New Product Showcase Gallery.

Vision Expo has added its new Take 30 Lounges on Levels 1 and 3 to provide attendees with a place to relax and recharge during the day. At the lounges on Friday, between 4:30 pm and 6:00 pm, attendees can toast the past, present and future with a flute of champagne or cold glass of beer. The celebration continues into the night at the ODs on Facebook Party (8:00 pm – 9:00 pm) and the Opening Night Party (9:00 pm – 12:00 am) featuring Bad Habits “Eye Docs of Rock,” both at the B.B. King Blues Club and Grill.

Parties and networking events continue throughout the weekend with alumni receptions for Pennsylvania College of Optometry and New England College of Optometry, the Young Professionals Club Party and EyeRock: Rockin’ for New Eyes.

Download the Vision Expo mobile app, www.visionexpoeast.com/Vision-Mobile, to keep track of these and other events, organize education, search for favorite exhibitors and take advantage of Vision Expo’s new Buying Program.