Chrystel Barranger



ORLANDO, Fla.—Transitions Academy 2023 brought together over 1,000 industry experts from 50 countries around the world this week at the J.W. Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, Fla. The three-day, invitation-only event is themed “Lights on Tomorrow” and is designed to provide industry professionals with the opportunity to expand their knowledge through expert presentations, inspiring guest speakers, and Transitions product and professional development workshops. The winners of the 2022 Transitions Innovation Awards will also be announced during the event.

Chrystel Barranger, president, Transitions Optical, and EssilorLuxottica Professional Solutions EMEA, began Monday morning’s opening session by welcoming attendees from around the world to Transitions Academy. VMAIL was onsite for this year's Academy. In her remarks, Barrenger emphasized, "Light is Life," and she addressed the magic of color's power, and how it "taps into the desire for individuality and expression."

Transitions and industry experts shined “Lights on Tomorrow” exploring the latest in the science of light, new color attitude, the blending of science into art, the future of phygital technology and learning, as well as focusing eyes on the planet and sustainability.

Among the speakers were:
●  Federico Buffa, director, R&D and Product Development, EssilorLuxottica
●  Brian O'Neill, vice president, Global Innovation, Technology & Operations, Transitions
●  Coralie Barrau, innovation manager, R&D Light Management, EssilorLuxottica
●  Jerome Butez, vice president, Global Marketing, Transitions
●  Tod Schulman, creative director, Pantone Color Institute
●  Fahem Ben Messaoud, vice president, Global Digital, Business Innovation, E-commerce and IT, Transitions
●  Denis Cohen-Tannoudji, senior vice president, Emerging Technologies, EssilorLuxottica
●  Chris King, director, Education, Global Marketing, Transitions
●  Isabelle Dekker, director, Business Development, Transitions
●  Adrian Gleeson, director, Global Operations, Transitions



Coco & Breezy performed a DJ set at the opening of Transitions Academy. Photo courtesy of Austin Donohue




2023 Transitions Change Agents & Student Ambassadors gathered at #TA23. Photo courtesy of Austin Donohue




Transitions Academy offered a multimedia brand experience for attendees. Photo courtesy of Austin Donohue


Throughout the two days, breakout courses were a also offered to attendees, ranging from "Lights on Building an Effective Team Dynamic" to "Lights on Customer Experience," "Lights on Vision," examining patients' visual experiences," "Lights on the Perfect Pair," combining color, vision experience, protection and style," and "Lights on Data," how to make information about color come alive for patients. Tours of The Transitions Brand Experience immersed attendees in Transitions products, the latest technologies, in-store experience and educational resources.

Monday’s session concluded with a keynote “Strategy in a World of Disruption," from disruption strategist Shawn Kanungo, who provided an optimistic roadmap for the future, exploring how companies and individuals can take unexpected approaches to innovation to remain competitive and relevant. Referencing AI and disruption, Kanungo, a partner with Queen & Rock and author of "The Bold Ones," said, "The most valuable job in the world today is being a value creator…being an innovator. The question we should be asking is, 'what will we create with infinite leverage and unlimited possibilities?’'"

A full second day of speakers, panels and education events is planned and the winners will be announced on Tuesday night at the 2022 Transitions Innovation Awards ceremony. VMAIL reported on the 2022 Innovation Award finalists earlier this month.

More details about Transitions and Light Intelligent Lenses are posted at Transitions.com or TransitionsPRO.com.