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Hot List: August 2009

1 Sunwear Stats

Sunwear sales continue to rise in the U.S. For the 12 months ending in June 2008, sales reached $2.23 billion, compared to $2.19 billion in 2007 and $2.12 billion in 2006.

While the biggest chunk of sales occurs in sunglass speciality stores, independent optical shops are seeing the biggest boost in sunwear sales:

2 Back to School Budgeting

According to the National Retail Federation's 2009 Back to School Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by BIGresearch, the average family with students in grades kindergarten through 12 is expected to spend $548.72 on school merchandise, a decline of 7.7 percent from $594.24 in 2008. In addition:

• Four out of five Americans (85 percent) have made some changes to back-to-school plans this year
• 56.2 percent of back-to-school shoppers are hunting for sales more often
• 49.6 percent are planning to spend less overall

3 deals go local

The Wall Street Journal reports that retailers, including Gap, Wal-Mart, and Home Depot, are doing "localized markdowns" in lieu of making the same price reductions across all their markets. The result is that profits from better-selling products in one area balance reductions made in another area.

4 ROAD TRIPS RULE

Hotwire.com's list of the top 10 summer road trip destinations for 2009 highlights the most sought-after summer destinations with the highest percentage of hotel transactions. These are the top 10 destinations:

1. San Diego
2. Philadelphia
3. Houston
4. San Francisco
5. Dallas
6. Los Angeles
7. Boston
8. Phoenix
9. Saint Louis
10. Washington, D.C.

OLA Reorganizes Annual Meeting

The Optical Laboratory Association has reorganized its annual meeting in response to member requests and changes in the industry and economy.

The meeting—originally scheduled for Nov. 12 to 14, will now be held Dec. 4 to 5, with a two-day rather than three-day run. The meeting location remains at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

The Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Thursday evening. The awards dinner, traditionally held on Saturday night, will be a Blow Out Party on Friday evening, where the OLA Awards of Excellence and Director's Choice Award will be presented.

Keynote speakers include Senator Tom Coburn, MD, and Jeff Thredgold, the Understandable Economist.

New Vistakon President

Dave Brown has been named president, Vistakon Americas. He is responsible for the Vistakon U.S. and Canadian businesses. Brown joined Johnson & Johnson Vision Care as vice president, worldwide vision care franchise, and has served in many positions throughout several J&J companies.

Gearing Up For Vision Expo West

Vision Expo West, which will be held October 1 to 3 at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas, is gearing up to continue many of the programs embraced by attendees and exhibitors, and also to unveil a new location for The Suites.

In a major show change, The Suites, which present couture and designer eyewear at the show, will move to The Palazzo Las Vegas, a sister property to The Venetian Las Vegas. The Palazzo offers ECPs an upscale show experience with the advantage of close proximity to the show floor and continuing educational sessions. Advance reservations, which can be made directly with exhibitors, are recommended for private showings in The Suites.

Not to be missed at this year's show are Visionomics, Vision Expo's economy-based continuing education sessions, and Lunch with the Experts, a roundtable discussion on a variety of optical topics. For more information or to register, visit www.visionexpowest.com.

The Optical Women's Association will also be holding a POWW (Professional Optical Women's Workshop) educational event Wednesday evening and its Networking Event in conjunction with International Vision Expo West Friday evening. For more information, visit www.opticalwomen.com.

Essilor External Growth Strategy Expands

Essilor has expanded its U.S. lab network with the acquisition of Barnet & Ramel Optical in Nebraska, Apex Optical in Florida, ABBA Optical in Georgia, and Vision Pointe Optical in Idaho. Essilor has also acquired a majority stake in Optisource International, an optical supplies and consumables distributor.

Together, Essilor and VSP have acquired McLeod Optical, an Rx lab based in Rhode Island. Essilor will have a majority interest and VSP and the principles of McLeod will each own a minority interest in the company.

Nikon Optical Canada, a subsidiary of Nikon-Essilor, has signed an agreement to increase from 50 percent to 100 percent stake in TechCite, an Rx lab located in Calgary, Alberta.

Overseas, Essilor has acquired outstanding shares of De Ceunynck in the Belgian market. In the Middle East, Essilor and its partner Amico, the local market-leading distributor of ophthalmic optics products, signed a contract for a 50-50 joint venture to operate Amico's Rx lab in Dubai. The joint venture will have exclusive distribution rights for Varilux and Crizal brands in the region.

Vistakon's Pat Cummings Passes Away

Pat Cummings, OD, FAAO, Vistakon America's region vice president, professional development group, died in a plane crash in Florida on July 11.

Cummings joined Vistakon in December 2003. A graduate of Pacific University's College of Optometry, he was a member of a private group practice in Sheridan, Wyo. He served as a consulting optometrist at the Veteran's Administration Hospital in Sheridan for over 20 years and was on staff at the Sheridan County Memorial Hospital. He also served as an adjunct clinical faculty member for Pacific University's College of Optometry.

Cummings is survived by his wife, Becky; son, Josh; daughter, Abbra; granddaughter, Mia; mother, Ivy; brother, Mike; and sister, Mary.

A scholarship fund has been established by the AOA in Cummings' honor. Send donations to: Dr. Pat and Patrick Cummings Memorial Fund, Optometry's Charity, AOA National Office, 243 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, Mo.

SoloHealth Teams with Eyemaginations

SoloHealth, maker of EyeSite self-service vision testing kiosks, is teaming with Eyemaginations, an eyecare education firm, to enhance the educational experience featured in the kiosks. The EyeSite kiosks offer free vision assessments and drive consumers to ECPs for full exams. "Eyemaginations provides a wealth of educational content and 3D animations which will enhance the EyeSite kiosk experience to educate people about various eye conditions and diseases, and encourage them to continue the eye health dialogue with an eyecare professional," said Bart Foster, CEO and founder of SoloHealth.

Silmo to Offer Merchandising Workshop

Silmo is offering its first merchandising workshop, aimed at opticians seeking new store layout and window display ideas.

The merchandising workshop will use a dynamic and light setting in an open space at the heart of the fair to present inspiring store window layout ideas based on key themes. The workshop will also offer visitors the chance to talk to window dressers and merchandising experts to get practical, concrete display solutions.

The workshop will be presented in a fun and interactive format so that opticians can master tricks of the trade and create effective and attractive window displays.

Opticians are invited to register for the workshop at www.silmoparis.com.

Ross Joins NSL

Optical veteran Steve Ross has joined forces with NSL Analytical Services as a manufacturer representative to the optical industry. NSL Analytical Services was recently selected as the preferred testing laboratory of The Vision Council.

NSL provides special pricing for all members of The Vision Council, and is a professionally accredited ISO/IEC 17025 scientific testing laboratory with a staff of over 65 chemists, scientists, and metallurgists.

INFO: www.nslanalytical.com

Eye Health Summit Seek Consensus

Over 110 vision community representatives joined together at the Eye Health Summit, an event designed to begin the process of building a strong consensus among interested parties/stakeholders in the vision community on a public health/eye health message.

"The Eye Health Summit promises to be one of the most exciting events the vision and eye health community has witnessed in years," said Ed Greene, CEO of The Vision Council, the host of the summit. "By bringing together professional associations, trade associations, major manufacturers, non-profit groups, retailers, vision care plans, and government agencies, we hope to take meaningful steps to improving American's eye health."

Following the summit, a core planning team of 12 industry thought leaders will reconvene to review the agreed-to messaging points and to create a plan for moving forward.

INFO: www.eyehealthsummit.com.

ABO-NCLE Gears Up for Second Event

The Second Annual ABO-NCLE conference, Sept. 11 through 12, will provide over 100 hours of ABO-NCLE CE. Included with the $25 conference registration fee are lunch on Friday and Saturday, a breakfast seminar on Saturday featuring EB's Karlen McLean, Welcome Reception, free CE hours, a Transitions Skills Challenge Competition, Opticians Association of America functions, National Academy of America functions, and the National Federation of Opticianry Schools Alumni Reception.

Also, The Optical Women's Association (OWA) will be holding a POWW educational event, "SatisfactionPower—taking ownership over your own happiness on the job." The CE credit event will start at 5:15 on Sept. 12.

INFO: www.abo-ncle-conference.com.

Web World

Luxottica announced e-commerce capabilities on Ray-Ban's U.S. website, www.rayban.com. The store will allow consumers to shop online for Ray-Ban's styles. Ray-Ban e-commerce will house Ray-Ban Sun and Junior styles only.

In addition, the Ray-Ban Virtual Mirror tool allows users to virtually try on Ray- Ban's latest styles. Using a webcam, the users can transform their screen into a mirror and test different styles. This technology lets customers compare two styles at the same time and save, print, and share their trials with friends.

Transitions Optical, Inc., recently debuted the Transitions Facebook guide, "Putting Your Practice on Facebook," to help eyecare professionals use the social media network. The guide, which can be downloaded at www.transitions.com/fb, explains what social media is, where Facebook fits in, and how it can help ECPs connect with other professionals and patients. The guide also includes a glossary of Facebook terms, and a list of "dos" and "don'ts."

Also new is the "Transitions Lenses: Healthy Sight Professionals" Facebook page, created for ECPs to stay up-to-date on the latest from Transitions and to provide a forum for peer-to-peer dialogue.

Silhouette is offering an online consulting tool that gives wearers the opportunity to "try on" rimless styles. The virtual mirror belongs to the new Silhouette Rimless Aesthetics Program. In cooperation with renowned make-up artist Mary Greenwell, Silhouette developed a comprehensive aesthetic concept to show users how to choose the perfect eyewear model.

The virtual mirror online consulting tool, at www.silhouette.com/virtualmirror, lets users change the eyewear, try out new colors, and virtually experiment with different lens shapes. Users can upload their photo in one step and then virtually try on a wide variety of Silhouette eyewear.

AOA Holds Meeting

For four days in late June, Optometry's Meeting, which combines the annual meetings of both the American Optometric Association and the American Optometric Student Association, was held overlooking the Potomac in Maryland. The meeting began with an address by former newscaster Bob Woodruff, which was sponsored by Essilor, and ended with a fun, HOYA-sponsored evening with comedian Jeff Foxworthy.

In between, conference highlights included the induction of new officers and trustees, including the election of Randolph E. Brooks, OD, to the position of AOA president, more than 20 hours of continuing education, three days of exhibits, and several heated debates in House of Delegates before the body reached agreement on the controversial subject of board certification. As passed, the amended motion states in part: "The American Optometric Association of House Delegates endorses the concept of general Board Certification and Maintenance of Certification for Optometry."

1. The new AOA Board of Trustees posed for their first group photo 2. Hosted by Joe Barr, OD, (left) a panel of Bausch & Lomb executives and ODs discussed the new Center for Patient Insights 3. Bob Woodruff, former ABC news exec and winner of the Peabody Award, was the keynote speaker at the Essilorsponsored Opening General Session 4. Dianne Sweet received her Paraoptometric of the Year plaque from Rick Weisbarth, OD 5. Team spirit overflowed at the Optometry Student Bowl 6. Essilor's Danne Ventura congratulates Student Bowl winner Aarlan Aceto from New England College of Optometry 7. National Hall of Fame recipients Edwin C. Marshall, OD, (left) and Charles Mullen, OD, joined ranks with 49 other ODs who have been named to the Hall of Fame for lifetime achievements in the profession 8. HOYA execs awarded recent graduate Brandon Mayes, OD, a $6,000 scholarship for his winning case study discussing how he fit an energetic 98-year-old with the Hoyalux Tact lenses

FOUNDATION HONORS DALEY

At The Cadillac Invitational on Long Island, The Essilor Vision Foundation honored Essilor veteran Mike Daley for his contributions to the industry. Daley, who is currently president of The Vision Council, retired earlier this year after more than 30 years with Essilor. The Essilor Foundation is a public charity that focuses on giving "children a brighter future by helping them see the world more clearly." Through its Adopt-a-School Program, the foundation works with school nurses and then arranges for vision exams and eye glasses when needed. Top: Industry leaders, including (l to r) Eyewear Designs' Andrea Gluck, Santinelli's Joe Santinelli, and the Vision Council's Ed Greene, enjoyed the festivities. Bottom: Mike Daley (l to r) receives his award from Essilor's Ralph Woythaler, Bob Colucci, and Audrey Reed.

On the Town

1 Spex recently held a grand opening party for its newest location in the West Loop area of Chicago. Shown enjoying the festivities are Lisa Chigas, Billy Simmons, and Karina Muro.

2 Luxottica's luxury sunglass retail chain ILORI recently opened its first boutique in Cincinnati. The grand opening celebration of the Cincinnati Kenwood Towne Center boutique was hosted by celebrity fashion stylist and ILORI 2009 Stylist Ambassador Jennifer Rade (most notable as Angelina Jolie's fashion stylist) on June 10. Guests in attendance included Sama and Ilori executives.

3 On June 12 and 13 the Oakley Learn to Ride surf program offered celebrities and media the opportunity to learn to surf with a pro. Celebrity students included Mario Lopez, Benji Madden, Joel Madden, Lo Bosworth, Eric Mabius, Estella Warren, and lovebirds Adrian Grenier and Ashley Greene, who met at the event and sparked a gossip-column frenzy.

4 John Carrier, president of Essilor of America, Inc., was recently recognized with the Alain Bellet Award by The French-American Chamber of Commerce (FACC) of Dallas/Fort Worth for his pivotal role in fostering business relations between France and the United States, as well as working toward positioning Essilor as the world leader in optical lenses.

5 Celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Sanaa Lathan, Gabrielle Union, Sophia Bush, Jordana Brewster, Vanessa Minnillo, singer Taylor Dayne, and Penny Marshall celebrated the L.A. launch of Safilo's CARRERA Vintage Sunglasses at a poolside bungalow at The Chateau Marmont.

Marcolin, Swarovski Ink Licensing Agreement

Marcolin and Swarovski have signed an exclusive licensing agreement for Swarovski Eyewear. Swarovski and the Marcolin Group announced their agreement for the production and worldwide distribution of sunglasses and prescription frames under the brand "Swarovski." The launch of the first sunglasses collection is planned for Spring/Summer 2011 at select optical and retail establishments.