NORWALK, Conn.—Registration is now open for IDOC's Connection 2021, Feb. 3-5, a virtual conference this year, produced on a sophisticated virtual platform which will feature live chat rooms, sponsor booths, continuing education, and engaging industry presentations along with other interactive experiences designed to inform, guide and inspire IDOC members. The meeting is also open to all independent OD practices nationwide. The program will feature sessions and thought leaders to address change, resilience and opportunity, IDOC said, noting that the alliance also has confirmed a roster of three distinguished keynote speakers for the upcoming national conference.




Kim Becking
• On Wednesday, Feb. 3, attorney, leadership expert and best-selling author Kim Becking will present “Punch in the Gut Moments: How to Get up, Grit up, and Conquer Change,” an exploration of response to change and adversity. Featuring her unique “Momentum Mindset” she will explain how to push past limited thinking, get unstuck, and use the change and adversity in life as the fuel needed to propel you forward—faster, further, stronger and better than ever before.



Jay Baer
 
• On Thursday, Feb. 4, keynote guest Jay Baer will follow with his presentation of “4 Ways to Win: How Small Businesses Can Outflank the Big Guys and Thrive.” Baer, an online marketing and customer service expert who has consulted with dozens of Fortune 500 companies around the world, will offer lessons about how shifts in technology and consumer expectations can be used to gain and keep more customers.




Dr. Saundra
Dalton-Smith
• On Friday, Feb. 5, will be the keynote “The Power of Resilience in Cultivating Healthy Leaders and A Healthy Team” presented by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a board certified physician, speaker, and author. She is an international wellness expert who has been featured in numerous media outlets, including Prevention, MSNBC, Women’s Day, FOX, Fast Company, Psychology Today, and as a guest on the Dr. Oz show. The author of numerous books, she provides groundbreaking insight on the seven types of rest needed to optimize your productivity, increase your overall happiness, overcome burnout, and live your best life.

“We are thrilled to present our Connection 2021 attendees with outstanding keynote speakers this year, experts who are uniquely equipped to address the challenges we’re facing today,” said Dave Brown, IDOC's president and CEO. “In 2021, we are increasing our focus on insights and information that will help independent ODs thrive both as business owners and as individuals.”

To that end, The Connection 2021 agenda will feature an expanded wellness track that includes lifestyle and self-care sessions, all in addition to traditional clinical and business-focused topics, each uniquely customized for ODs, billers, front desk professionals, office managers, opticians, and optometric techs.

“The response to our new wellness content has been especially gratifying,” said Cori Pickwick, events manager. “As an alliance, we want to be sure that we are fully addressing the needs of our members, and we look forward to The Connection 2021 next month as a means to that end.”

The full agenda and updated conference news, along with registration, is posted here.

For more than 20 years, IDOC has remained committed to building a powerful community of independent optometrists, providing advanced practice management tools, advice and support systems that drive business growth. Membership plans include expert consulting, metrics-based business solutions, negotiated vendor discounts and peer-to-peer networking. IDOC works collaboratively with 3,000+ independent ODs to help them stay ahead of industry change and achieve their business vision, their way.