LAS VEGAS—International Vision Expo & Conference will be welcoming an increasing number of young eyecare professionals and students to Vision Expo West 2015 (Education: Sept. 16 to 19, 2015; Exhibition: Sept. 17 to 19, 2015).

According to Mark Dunbar, OD, FAAO, co-chairman of the International Vision Expo Conference Advisory Board, the new education format will promote collaboration amongst students and arm them with knowledge to foster creative thinking and jumpstart their professional careers.

“The fresh approaches, exciting ideas and vision of the recent and incoming classes of professionals are helping to reinvigorate the world of eyecare,” says Dunbar. “Our young professionals and students are sparking new debates on industry trends, thinking outside the box about business growth opportunities, and driving conversations online about the future of the profession. As a platform for these discussions, Vision Expo is proactively embracing new ways to support this new generation.”

Expo West will offer a range of benefits for Young ODs and New Dispensers through its Young Professionals Club. Members receive free exhibit hall registration, discounted education and special networking events including a YPC Lunch on Friday Sept. 18— an opportunity for young professionals to interact with fellow members and show management in a casual setting – and an evening Young Professionals Club Member Reception from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Double Helix Bar in the Palazzo Hotel. The YPC is expanding to include optical industry professionals 30 and under.

A new event on Saturday Sept. 19, a Las Vegas Club Crawl, will combine YPC members, prospective members and students. There is a $20 deposit for the event; Vision Expo will cover the rest. Attendees with questions about YPC and student events should contact Kristen Reynolds kreynolds@thevisioncouncil.org for more information.

Student Saturday now offers combined education among optometry and optician students to promote side-by-side learning. An interactive, two-part “Choose Your Own Adventure” course will encourage students to choose their topic of education and apply the lessons learned to real-time situations.

Attendees can take advantage of a new onsite job program during exhibit hall hours. Job Link, powered by Local Eye Site  is a career program promoting job search coaching resources. Participants can meet with job coaches in Booth #25130 to learn about job search methods, interviewing techniques, resume building and more. Speed meeting sessions, like speed dating, will be available for optometrists and optician positions.