SCENE + HEARD: Meetings Vision Expo West 2024 Kicks Off in Las Vegas By Staff Thursday, September 19, 2024 12:18 AM LAS VEGAS—Vision Expo West 2024 has just begun at The Venetian Convention & Expo Center in Las Vegas. We extend a warm welcome to all attendees on behalf of the show organizers, The Vision Council and RX. This year's event boasts over 350 exhibiting companies on the lively show floor, premieres the brand new Visionaries Unveiled series, introduces the “Flaunt the Frame” eyewear fashion show series on the Innovation Stage Thursday and Friday hosted by Eyecare Business, offers enhanced education opportunities, streamlines the attendee experience, and presents an exciting lineup of engaging sessions and energetic events centered around buzzworthy industry topics. Vision Expo West’s expansive show floor, as well as suites, includes several key locations for attendees to explore: The Focus: This neighborhood provides the most comprehensive view of innovations in lens processing, medical and diagnostic technology, disease management solutions, contact lens innovations and eyecare practice optimization. The Park: An eyewear showcase featuring the broadest selection of fashion, sports and prestige eyewear. Step into large-scale, immersive exhibits where beloved brands define eyewear's future. The Atelier: Celebrates the exquisite fusion of fashion, art, culture and masterful craftsmanship from independent designers around the globe. This neighborhood is the home for independent, design-led ateliers. Tech & Innovation: Dedicated to the technology unfolding at warp speed across every facet of life, with the vision industry riding this wave of acceleration. Sun and Sport: This new area will feature active lifestyle eyewear brands, curated trend showcases and a live Pickleball Court. Career Resource Center: A hub for students and professionals to connect with companies and explore career building activities and complimentary resources. Lounges & Cafes: Multiple lounges and cafes scattered are located throughout the show floor, including the new V Bar, the Atelier, OPTImum, Press, Vision Café and the OptiCon Hub. The Suites: The Suites, located on the 47th floor of The Palazzo Hotel, offer exclusive access to luxury fashion houses, creating an intimate and unparalleled buying experience. Visitors can explore a diverse collection of standout brands in this unique setting. Kering Eyewear will be exhibiting on the 3rd floor of The Palazzo Hotel. The Innovation Stage Today, “Visionaries Unveiled: Education for Change Makers” is the newest addition to Vision Expo West and the Innovation Stage. This series is designed to inspire and disrupt the eyewear industry by showcasing innovative ideas and game-changing strategies that will shape the future of eyewear. Showcasing (3) 30-minute segments: Making an Impact on Social Media, Hearing Care in the Optometric Space and Aesthetics in Optometry. Today’s Innovation Stage presentations kick off with a session at 10:00 a.m. on strategies to reduce contact lens dropout, followed by a training session led by Kayla Ashlee, CEO of Spexy, on how to improve optical capture rates. The OptiCon General Session, presented by United Opticians Association (UOA), will cover industry insights from Scott Shapiro, CEO at Europa Eyewear and Chairman of The Vision Council Board of Directors, followed by the Visionaries Unveiled series where Dr. Selina McGee will discuss integrating aesthetics into optical practices. Presentations continue with innovations from Alcon and Essilor Instruments, focusing on new technologies to elevate practices and boost revenue. Eyemart Express CEO, Mike Nuzzo, then takes the stage with Vision Monday’s Anne Cooper for a fireside chat on the power of community. The day will wrap up with the “Flaunt the Frame” Eyewear Trends Fashion Shows debut at Vision Expo West on the Innovation Stage in collaboration with Eyecare Business. Hosted by Kerri Ann Raimo and Veronica Daub, the show will present a carefully curated selection of the top eyewear fashion trends for Fall 2024. The event will bring these trends to life through a dynamic mix of runway images displayed on screen, live modeling and a DJ soundtrack, creating an immersive and stylish experience. Educational Offerings Today, OptiCon @ Vision Expo makes a comeback at Vision Expo West, offering an exceptional education program and exhibit hall experience tailored to opticians, contact lens professionals, allied ophthalmic professionals, optical assistants, office managers, frame buyers and lab technicians. OptiCon sessions cover various topics, including precise frame fitting, insider secrets of celebrity eyewear, and in-depth discussions about stocking versus surfacing and laser exploration. Professional Development Opportunities Today, from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m., the Optical Women's Association will host their Connection Series luncheon at the Venetian Murano 3304-06. This year’s event will feature guest speaker Amanda Shapiro, vice president of Wholesale Marketing for Europa Eyewear. Attendees will discover new leadership strategies designed to build strong connections, boost resilience and spark creativity in fast-changing environments. The discussion will offer insights on how to make a positive impact within organizations and beyond, regardless of one's role. Sponsored by VSP Vision, this engaging session will provide practical tools and helpful hints for embracing influence with empathy, mindfulness and humility. Cocktails & Connections Introducing the V-Bar located in The Focus. Networking cocktail reception open to all attendees 4:00 - 6:00 p.m., courtesy of Vision Expo. After-Hours Tonight, Bausch + Lomb presents The Patient’s Language of Dry Eye: You Think You Know…But Do You? A discussion on the state of dry eye, as well as food, cocktails and spectacular views from the 108th floor of the Stratosphere. Complimentary shuttle pick-up will be available from the Vision Expo Bus Lobby between 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Look for Bausch + Lomb signage. The event is from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Afterward, stop by the Opening Night Party, featuring Bad Habits “The EyeDocs of Rock,” the rock band comprised of several practicing optometrists. Hosted by Vision Source, the party is from 9:00 p.m. until midnight at the Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq Promenade. Attendee badges are required for entry. For helpful Show resources, check out the Vision Expo mobile app. Click here to read the digital edition of the Dailies.