DALLAS—The Optical Women’s Association’s Connection Series: Connecting Members to Leadership Ideas (formerly the P.O.W.W. event) will present “Seeing (Blind) Spots? Men and Women Working Together,” at Vision Expo West on Thursday Sept. 18 from 12:00 to 1:30 p.m. This is a new day and time for this annual OWA event.

This ‘light lunch and learn’ panel program features two men and two women from the optical industry who will discuss their business experiences of working together. Discussion points will include “gender blind spots,” false assumptions men and women share about each other, how men and women approach things differently, and solutions for how men and women can succeed together.

Based on the OWA book selection, “Work with Me: The 8 Blind Spots Between Men and Women in Business,” co-authored by Barbara Annis and John Grey, the panelists will answer questions on their experiences of working with and for men and women.

Valerie Manso, regional vice president, strategic eyecare partnerships at VSP Vision Care, will moderate the discussion with panelists representing a variety of work experiences and age ranges. Panelists will include: Andrea Gluck, co-president of Eyewear Designs Ltd., and past chair of the Vision Council of America; Bob Colucci, president, independent distribution division, Essilor of America, Inc., and chairman of the Essilor Vision Foundation; Gilda Mehraban, director of brand management, REM Eyewear; and David Duralde, chief creative officer and member of the board of directors for Kenmark Optical.

Register online at www.opticalwomen.com for the panel discussion. The location of the lunch and learn will be announced soon. The event is free to OWA members and is $35 for non-members.

The Optical Women’s Association is a non-profit organization with the mission of supporting and promoting the professional development of women in the optical industry through networking, education and per support. Platinum Sponsors include: Luxottica, Marchon, Safilo USA and VSP/Altair/Eyefinity. Gold Sponsors: Essilor, Jobson Optical, Marco, VisionWeb and International Vision Expo. Silver Sponsors: Charmant Group, ClearVision, L’Amy America, REM Eyewear, Shamir, Silhouette, Tura and The Vision Council. Friends of OWA: 4PatientCare, Hilco, Jeanie Premium Products, Synergeyes, Walman Optical and Zyloware Eyewear.