Brian Markwalter Yaopeng Zhou
David Kepron Edward Beiner
Jerry Legerton Ashish Ahuja
NEW YORK—Experts in wearable technology, futuristic contact lenses, and cutting edge retail concepts have joined the roster of speakers at Vision Monday’s upcoming 9th Global Leadership Summit. They will be among more than a dozen speakers from outside and within the industry who will discuss technology’s latest wave, “Connectivity and the Internet of Things,” its implications for business leaders’ decision-making and other major trends impacting the optical industry.

The day-long event, which will be held March 18 at The Times Center here, is geared to senior-level executives and influential thought leaders in the optical industry and vision care space. It is designed to provoke discussion, illustrate new developments and provide unique, face-to-face networking opportunities for attendees.

The new additions to the Summit program represent a diverse mix of companies and organizations. Brian Markwalter, senior vice president of research and standards, Consumer Electronics Association, will participate in the Summit’s opening session about the Internet of Things. He will analyze this fast-emerging platform, which melds technology and real-world interactions in new ways. The session will also feature a keynote presentation by Michael Bell, head of the New Devices Group, at Intel, and a talk by Andrew Ranson, FPOV which works with decision makers to manage the impact of digital change on their organizations.

David Kepron, creative director of the Retail Experience Studio for Little Diversified Architectural Consulting, one of the world’s largest retail design/architecture firms, will share his insights about how retailers can engage tech-savvy customers.

The Summit’s Eye2 session, which will examine the fascinating and rapidly changing realm of “Wearables, Implantables and Virtual Reality,” has been expanded with the addition of three new speakers.Yaopeng Zhou, co-founder and CMO of Smart Vision Labs, will discuss how his company’s new, smartphone-based technology can benefit doctors who want to increase revenue as well as clinicians who perform eye exams outside of the office.

Ashish Ahuja, product manager for Meta, will showcase his company’s exciting new augmented reality eyewear, which has been hailed as the best looking AR glasses on the market by Forbes Magazine and is the winner of the 2014 CES Best in Show Award. Jerry Legerton, co-founder, director of Innovega, Inc., will present a futuristic look at “wired” contact lenses and the new benefits they can offer wearers.

Also participating in the session will be Dr. Michael McAlpine, of the Princeton University team, which is expanding the boundaries of 3D printing of bio materials, and Professor Steven Prawer of Melbourne University, head of materials development for Bionic Vision Australia.

Edward Beiner, principal, Edward Beiner Group, will add his perspective and join other leading optical retailers in a discussion about “Connecting with Customers/Coping with Technology Change.” The others are Michael Devlyn, EVP retail of the Devlyn Optical Group of Mexico, Central America and the U.S. and Antoine Amiel, vice chairman of Canada’s New Look Eyewear group. They will also answer questions moderated by FPOV’s Ranson about technology decision-making at their companies.

A special session, “Leadership in the Era of Connectivity,” will feature James Ledbetter, editor of the award-winning INC Magazine, the multi-platform “source of inspiration, education and connection for owners of growing businesses.”

The Premier sponsors of the 2015 VM Global Leadership Summit are Adlens, Essilor and Luxottica; Signature sponsor, VSP Global; and Supporting Sponsors Alcon, CareCredit, DAC Vision and International Vision Expo.

The Vision Monday Global Leadership Summit is sold out. Go to www.VisionMonday.com/Summit to add your name to a waiting list.