NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center here was the setting for Vision Source Exchange 2017, the 26th annual member meeting of the optometric alliance Vision Source. The “Music City” meeting, which ran May 3 to 6, drew close to 4,700 attendees over four days (a more than 10 percent increase over last year) and the exhibition show floor easily sold out. Attendees included eyecare clinicians, optometry staff, leading optical industry vendors and guests.
Meeting highlights included two special keynote addresses that drew standing-room crowds to the huge Gaylord ballroom: former Dallas Cowboys and Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman and Shark Tank investor Barbara Corcoran.
Vision Source 2017
Vision Source’s John McCall Jr. exchanges comments with PD The Parrot during a general session at the recent Vision Source Exchange conference in Nashville.
Vision Source 2017
With record-breaking attendance and a top-flight group of speakers, each general session gathering was near capacity at this year’s meeting.
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( L to R) Vision Source executives Derrick Artis, Shazeen Ali, a recent graduate and new Vision Source member, Glenn Ellisor and Jim Greenwood.
Vision Source 2017
The entry to the general session hall at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel complex.
Vision Source 2017
At the welcome reception, Sandy Hester of Kennesaw, Ga., and Vision Source member Gilbert James of Jasper, Ga.
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Samar Shamieh of Signet Armorlite (r) with her husband, James Scoffin, at the welcome reception.
Vision Source 2017
Keynote speaker Troy Aikman talked about his experiences as a dad and playing football in the NFL at a general session.
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Jennifer Brown of Luxottica introduces the keynote address by former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman. Luxottica sponsored the Aikman presentation during the general session.
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Enjoying the welcome reception are (l to r) Vision Source’s Derrick Artis, Corey Christensen, Julieann Brown and Gary Brown.
Vision Source 2017
The photo booth was a big hit at the welcome reception. James Harrar and his daughter, Sofia Sanchez of Lithia Springs, Ga., have some fun in front of the camera.
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Vision Source’s Jim Greenwood (l) and Mike Rothschild of Revolution EHR at the opening-night reception.
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Attending the first-timers’ reception are Vision Source staff members Nancy Sweeney (l) and Jennifer Bowman.
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Vision Source member Amanda Schmidt, an optometrist from Fresno, Calif., and her husband Robert Swanbeck at the reception.
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Some of the props at the photo booth.
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The opening-night welcome reception was a big hit among the attendees.
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(L to R) At a press conference are Vision Source president and CEO Jim Greenwood, executive chairman and founder Glenn Ellisor and Derrick Artis, executive vice president and COO.
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One of Vision Source’s recent graduate members Dr. Shazeen Ali (l) and Vision Source vice president Ryan Chen at the press conference.
Vision Source 2017
IDLife founder and CEO Logan Stout (l) moderated the discussion with former Dallas Cowboys quarterback Troy Aikman at a general session.