ST. LOUIS— Opti-Port, a national alliance of eyecare providers, will launch Eye Care University, a new training program for members next year. Created in partnership with executive education and development company, Bell Leadership Institute, Eye Care University was designed to develop leadership at the management level to help industry providers build the success of their practices. A two-and-a-half-day spring semester will be held in late February, while a fall semester is scheduled for October 2014.

“We are excited to partner with a world-class leadership training program, like the Bell Leadership Institute, to offer our members a program to help them continue to build and grow leaders within their organizations,” said Jim Edwards, president of Opti-Port.

“The most successful businesses in any industry, over time, are the ones with the greatest leadership talent,” said Dr. Gerald D. Bell, founder and CEO of Bell Leadership Institute. “Products, strategy, marketing, and customer service are all important, but it is the ability of the leaders to lead that drives organizational performance. The best leaders are ones who are absolutely devoted to building themselves and their people to mastery level. We are excited to partner with Opti-Port to bring world-class leadership training to members of the eyecare industry through Eye Care University.”

For more information, email events@optiport.com or call (314) 743-0781 ext. 2348.