Driving Your Practice
The path to success starts in Chicago
By Vision Council of America

Vision Council of America (VCA) has joined forces with the North Central States Optometric Council (NCSOC) and Reed Expositions, bringing together the best and the brightest in the optical world to produce a new show and conference for the Midwest optical community.

"VCA and NCSOC share a strong commitment to their membership and the industry. Our goal is to provide the finest education available along with an expanded exposition floor offering more products, services, and opportunities to explore for the Midwest market," according to Deborah Malakoff, VCA's vice president of member operations.

Taking top priority at this event is the MVC Conference Program. Designed to increase your knowledge--and that of your staff--the program presents more than 280 hours of continuing education for optometrists, opticians, and paraoptometrics (AOA). The MVC Conference Program offers more than 146 courses and 50-plus hours of transcript-quality courses from which to choose. The program includes:

• A new general session on anterior segment management.
• The largest selection of COPE- approved courses in the Midwest.
• New interactive tracks with keypad technology.
• A business and management track.
• All three AOA paraoptometric programs, with the review and exams, as well as para/opticianry technical and clinical tracks.
• Ocular pharmacology, glaucoma, and refractive surgery courses.
• More than 20 hours of advanced-level NAO topics.
• An ophthalmic sales and communication track.

The conference will run May 15 to 18, and the show will run from May 15 to 17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Ill.

What else do attendees have to look forward to when they attend the new Midwest Vision Congress & Expo?

Daily power lunches. A free meal and education is served up in the Power Lunch area from 12:45 to 1:45 p.m. daily. This is an opportunity to network and increase your knowledge on topics ranging from contact lens success to treating glaucoma. Due to limited seating, advanced registration is required.

"Let's Go Surfing" free opening night party. May 15, 6 to 9 p.m. Join us and special guests "The Surfers" for a fun-filled party which will bring you back to the time of Frankie and Annette.

A chance to win a $500 MVC shopping pass. Each day, two attendees will win $500 Midwest Vision Congress Dollars good for any purchase made on the show floor. Visit at least eight of the 100-plus exhibitors each day, and you could be a winner.

For more information about the show, visit www.midwestvisioncongress.com.