NORWALK, Conn.—After many years of hosting the event in Orlando, Florida, IDOC’s annual conference, The Connection 2024, will take place at Kalahari Resorts and Conventions in Austin, Texas from February 15-18, 2024. The three-day event will offer attendees over 30 hours of CE courses, the opportunity to engage with more than 60 vendors, and a firsthand look at IDOC’s bookkeeping and marketing services and growing lab, Three Rivers Optical. Guided by the conference theme “Wildly Independent,” IDOC is proud to host three intensive days of business management curriculum, COPE-approved clinical education, staff training and high-profile guest speakers.

“It’s incredible to see our attendance grow each year,” said Dave Brown, IDOC CEO. “We are thrilled to be able to bring the independent community together to empower practice owners and foster a collaborative environment. The Connection is a testament to our commitment of supporting the needs and dreams of independents, whether an IDOC member or not.”

In line with this year’s theme, the keynote speaker will be Josh Linkner. Josh Linkner is a creative troublemaker. He believes that all human beings have incredible creative capacity, and he’s on a mission to unlock inventive thinking and creative problem-solving to help leaders, individuals and communities soar. Linkner has been the founder and CEO of five tech companies, which sold for a combined value of over $200 million, and is the author of four books.

 
 Josh Linkner.
He has invested in and/or mentored over 100 startups and is the founding partner of Detroit Venture Partners. Today, he serves as chairman and co-founder of Platypus Labs, an innovation research, training and consulting firm. He has twice been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year and is the recipient of the United States Presidential Champion of Change Award. His entrepreneurial expertise and innovative thinking will guide attendees to become everyday innovators and challenge themselves to find creative solutions.

The Connection 2024 will present opportunities for learning and team building. Attendees are encouraged to bring their entire practice and take part in The Connection as a team, as the event will include a full agenda of educational courses available for office managers, opticians, optometric techs, front desk personnel and billers. There will also be a multitude of opportunities for team bonding, including sunrise yoga, happy hours, and a Boots & Bandanas Ball.

Roundtables are returning again this year, providing attendees with an opportunity to interact with peers and gain new insights for practice growth. This exclusive opportunity is carefully tailored for independent owners, uniting practices of comparable sizes to engage in discussions about their achievements and challenges.

The Connection 2024 is designed to be a family-friendly event. As a part of IDOC’s ongoing commitment to its members, they are offering complimentary daily childcare to attendees. This year’s venue, Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, boasts America’s largest indoor waterpark as well as an indoor adventure park, arcade, escape rooms, live entertainment and more all on-site.

Register for The Connection 2024 here.