Jim Misco, group director for Optical Synergies, welcomes attendees to their annual meeting.
CLEARWATER BEACH, Fla.—Optical Synergies, a group of independent optical laboratories and integrated retailers, drew nearly 100 people to its annual member-vendor meeting here in February, including 18 vendors representing lens, frame, accessory and equipment manufacturers.

Among the diverse group of guest speakers was James Kovacs, attorney with the law firm of David Balto, who updated attendees about the Coalition For Vision Care Choice, a newly formed group that is fighting what it characterized as “anticompetitive practices” within the managed vision care industry. Kovacs said the Coalition’s short-term objectives include arranging a meeting with the Department of Justice and consumer advocacy groups, working with states that are engaged in legislative initiatives and assisting independent litigation strategies such as the Acuity Lab lawsuit in Illinois.

Brian Reuwer, associate director of state government relations for the American Optometric Association, sounded a similar theme when he updated members about the status of legislation in various states. According to Optical Synergies, its members have committed to being a resource for the executive directors of state optometric associations who are responsible for driving these legislative initiatives.

Barbara Vitchus, general manager of Global Optics, announced that an agreement had been reached between her company and Optical Synergies that will allow Optical Synergies members to order lenses from the Global warehouse in Green Bay, Wis. This agreement paves the way for Optical Synergies members to reduce their cost of goods, especially shipping costs.

“This was definitely one of our strongest meetings, relative to the breadth of topics discussed and the number of members and vendors participating,” remarked Jim Misco, group director for Optical Synergies.

Vendors that attended this year and took part in one-on-one member meetings were: ArmouRx, Carl Zeiss, Coburn Technologies, DAC Vision, Essilor, Eyenavision, Nexus Vision Group, On Guard/Hilco, OptoTech, PFO Global, PPG Industries, Santinelli International, Seiko Pentax, Shore Lens, Signet Armorlite, Visio-Ease Lens, X-Cel Optical and Younger Optics.