ATLANTA—A new health care business program, more exhibitors in the frames category and a plethora of continuing education sessions were among the highlights of SECO 2017, one of this year’s major education and exhibition events for eyecare professionals.
The education content was expanded this year with the addition of a new, one-of-a-kind health care business management program. Ted McElroy, OD, president of SECO International, said he was pleased with the organization’s launch of the MedPRO360 session, the organization’s first attempt at creating a management and educational event for a wide range of health care professionals.
“I would say it was a very good beginning point for us,” he told Vision Monday. “This kind of program has to take place because we are trying to make sure that health care is becoming integrated. We can’t stay in these silos anymore.”
McElroy also noted that he was optimistic about the turnout at the main SECO 2017event, which ran March 1-5 at the Georgia World Congress Center. “Right now, it looks like we’re on pace [for attendance] to be at least where we were at last year,” he noted after the opening day of the event.
“The economy is starting to turn for the better and people are starting to spend more money. That’s just the way things are going to go.” The final attendance numbers were not available at press time.
During the session, SECO International elected a new president and group of officers during its House of Delegates meeting. Lynn Hammonds, OD, who initially was elected to SECO’s executive committee in 2013, was elected to succeed McElroy as president. Hammonds has practiced optometry at EyeCare Associates in Hoover, Ala., since 1996 and she became actively involved with the Southern Council for Optometrists in the mid-2000s.
Overall, organizers said SECO 2017 was a success, with “engagement and attendance in CE courses [coming in] well above previous years,” according to a spokeswoman. “We also had the largest number of frame companies (61) that we have ever had at SECO.”
In addition, The “Bad Habits - Eye Docs of Rock” music event, which was held the evening prior to the final day of the show, raised $14,000 for Optometry Giving Sight, the spokeswoman said.
SECO 2017
SECO 2017 kicked off with MedPRO360, a new, full-day health care business management program. Dr. Jack Schaeffer (left and on the projection screen) moderated the session, which included a panel discussion with speakers (seated l to r), Schaeffer, John Slavich and Amie Remington, both of Landrum Human Resources; Dennis Snow, formerly of Walt Disney; Owen Dahl, a leader in health care management, and host Dr. Ted McElroy, past president of SECO.
SECO 2017
Attendees walk the aisles on SECO’s opening day.
SECO 2017
The speakers at the MedPRO360 session include (l to r) physician/entrepreneur Daniel Kraft, MD, moderator Jack Schaeffer, OD, host Ted McElroy, OD, and Thomas Sullivan, author of the website Policy and Medicine.
SECO 2017
Inside “The View,” a special section of the SECO exhibit floor for the luxury eyewear category.
SECO 2017
Attendees got a big welcome upon arriving at the Georgia World Congress Center.
SECO 2017
Alcon’s Jonathan Balch, head of U.S. lens marketing, speaks at a company-sponsored lunch.
SECO 2017
At an Essilor “town hall” meeting are (l to r) Dr. Howard Purcell and Daniel Liberman of Essilor, and moderator Peter Kehoe.
SECO 2017
Dr. Daniel Kraft provided MedPRO360 attendees his perspective on the future of health, medicine and technology and how the disciplines will converge.
SECO 2017
Johnson & Johnson Vision’s Weslie Hamada, OD, FAAO, talks about innovation in contact lenses at a J&J breakfast meeting.
SECO 2017
Overlooking the SECO exhibit hall, which had a record number of frame companies participating this year.
SECO 2017
Johnson & Johnson Vision Care’s Carol Alexander, OD, provides an update on advocacy efforts.
SECO 2017
Participants enjoyed “surfing” at Alcon’s Catch the Wave reception.
SECO 2017
Registration at SECO was on pace to match the year-ago totals at the midway point, according to organizers.
SECO 2017
A sign directs show-goers to The View, the Luxury Eyewear Pavilion.
SECO 2017
Peter Menziuso, Johnson & Johnson’s region president for North American, Vision Care, and Dr. Carol Alexander answer questions at J&J’s breakfast.
SECO 2017
April Jasper, OD, FAAO, speaks about patient care at an Alcon lunch event.
SECO 2017
Attendees sample the food on the exhibit floor.
SECO 2017
An attendee tries the virtual reality goggles on the show floor.