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Hot List: February 2013 on the Town

Alicia Hoglund

1 Show Stats

According to recent reports by The Center for Exhibition Industry Research, 85% of decision makers say attending trade shows saves their company time and money by bringing vendors together under one roof 79% of the attendees say that attending shows helps them decide on what products to buy 91% of attendees say that trade shows impact their buying decisions because the competition is in one place, allowing for comparison shopping in real time

2 AMAZING AVERAGES
According to EXHIBITOR Magazine, trade show attendees spent an average of 8.3 hours and 2.4 days (per show) visiting exhibits in 2011.

3 One for all

In its recent Economic Significance Study report, the Convention Industry Council revealed that 1.8 million corporate and business meetings, trade shows, conventions, congresses, incentive events, and other meetings take place in the U.S., resulting in:

$263 billion in direct spending to the U.S. economy

1.7 million U.S. jobs

$11.3 billion state and local tax revenue

$60 billion in U.S. labor income

4 Seeing Double

The EventTrack 2012 study, conducted by The Event Marketing Institute and experimental marketing agency Mosaic, found that brands are expecting their event and experiential marketing budgets to grow 7.8 percent, more than double last year’s rate (3.6 percent).

Publishers Acquire Eyecare Business from Springer Pentavision

Springer Adis US LLC announced the asset purchase of its Vision Care Group of media and events by PentaVision LLC, a new company formed by the Vision Care Group’s publishing management team. The purchase was effective as of Jan. 16, 2013.

PentaVision’s management team includes Eyecare Business publisher Mark Durrick, Douglas Parry, Robert Verna, and Roger Zimmer, all of whom were previously leaders of operating units within the Vision Care Group at Springer. In addition, Thomas J. Wilson will act as president of PentaVision and managing member of the LLC.

Under their direction, PentaVision will continue to produce all Vision Care Group conferences and electronic products, as well as the six magazines in its portfolio, including Eyecare Business, Optometric Management, Ophthalmology Management, Retinal Physician, Contact Lens Spectrum, and Ophthalmic Professional.

PPG, Essilor in Transitions Talks

PPG Industries and Essilor International have entered into discussions relating to the future of their joint venture, Transitions Optical, Inc. (a consolidated subsidiary of PPG). PPG, the majority shareholder, owns 51 percent of interest; Essilor holds 49 percent. According to a statement by PPG, there are three possible outcomes: a sale of all or part PPG’s interest to Essilor; a sale of all or part of Essilor’s interest to PPG; or some other modification of the joint venture agreement. While the discussions continue, it will be business as usual for Transitions Optical, which is set to expand its technology platforms through new product introductions.

THE VISION COUNCIL AT THE CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW

Last month, The Vision Council was on hand at the 2013 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held January 8 to 11 in Las Vegas, to help raise awareness of digital eye strain and help digital device users protect their eyes from digital eye strain.

Justin Bazan, optometrist and medical adviser to The Vision Council, participated on a Digital Health Summit Panel that discussed “Health Tech from the Neck Up.” The 45-minute session explored digital health innovations for hearing loss, vision loss, and neuroscience, and discussed how these technology solutions are being perfected to address key needs in our society.

At The Vision Council booth, visitors explored the latest in digital device accessories and computer eyewear technology from members as well as key findings from The Vision Council’s recent digital eye strain report, “Screens, Phones, Tablets, and More: Keeping Your Eyes Safe in a Digital Age.” Attendees were encouraged to enter The Vision Council’s 20-20-20 raffle to win an assortment of prizes, including top-of-the-line computer eyewear. Every 20 minutes a new name was chosen at random, reinforcing the fact that every 20 minutes, digital device users should take a 20-second break from their screens to view something 20 feet away.

To learn more about digital eye strain, or to download a free copy of the report, visit digitaleyestrain.com.

1. The Vision Council is on hand to help digital device users protect their eyes from digital eye strain; 2. Raanan Naftalovich, chairman of The Vision Council’s board of directors and CEO of Shamir Insight, Inc., educates consumers about the latest in computer eyewear products; 3. The Vision Council showcases various computer eyewear models designed to help individuals combat digital eye strain

SILHOUETTE HONORS CONTEST WINNERS

FIT contest winners (l to r) Neeranuj Wongwasin, Patricia Tovar, Sun Hyang Ha, Barbara Bertieri, and Kristen Harvey Silhouette Optical, Ltd., recently chose the winners of its first eyewear design contest. Students within the Jewelry Design Program at the Fashion Institute of Technology were tasked with researching and developing innovative, exciting designs to fit either the Silhouette or adidas Originals aesthetic. The submissions were reviewed by a panel of judges within the fashion industry and five winners were selected from the competition’s two categories—Silhouette Essentials and Silhouette & adidas—with first place winners receiving $2,500, $1,500 for second, and $500 for third place. Winners include: Patricia Tovar, first place, Silhouette Essentials; Neeranuj Wongwasin, second place, Silhouette Essentials; Sun Hyang Ha, first place, Silhouette & adidas, and third place, Silhouette Essentials; Barbara Bertieri, second place, Silhouette & adidas; and Kristen Harvey, third place, Silhouette & adidas.

LUXOTTICA CELEBRATES STELLA MCCARTNEY OPTICAL COLLECTION

Luxottica recently held a party to celebrate the initial launch of the new Stella McCartney ophthalmic eyewear collection. The star-studded event, which was held last month at 680 Park Avenue, owned by Americas Society/Council of the Americas in NYC, was attended by Glenn Close and Vogue’s Anna Wintour, as well as other celebrities and members of the media.

(Clockwise from top left): Alec Baldwin, Stella McCartney, Jessica and Jerry Seinfeld, and Hilaria Thomas; Kim Cattrall; Mary-Louise Parker at the Stella McCartney launch party; Models in Stella McCartney eyewear circulate throughout the party

COLA Joins The Vision Council

The Vision Council and the California Optical Laboratories Association (COLA), an organization of full-service optical labs from California and other Western states, have entered into a comprehensive Joint Operating Agreement with the goal of merging COLA into The Vision Council’s Optical Lab Division (formerly the Optical Laboratories Association) within the next several months. The agreement is effective immediately.

Per the terms of the agreement, the current COLA leadership will remain in place to help ease the transition. Members of COLA will join The Vision Council as The California Lab Committee under the Optical Lab Division umbrella, which is one of six operating divisions within The Vision Council that provide guidance, education programs, marketing materials, research, and advocacy outreach to address common interests among members. In addition, each member of the COLA is eligible to serve on the various committees, subcommittees, and taskforces under The Vision Council structure.

INFO: thevisioncouncil.org

STAR Gazers

1. Actor Matt Damon hit the red carpet wearing Bevel’s Chin Chin 8643 eyewear at the New York premiere of his newest drama, “Promised Land,” which was released nationwide last month. Damon stars alongside John Krasinki, who cowrote the film.

2. Actor Matthew McConaghey was spotted wearing ClearVision Optical’s Walter spectacles on the set of his upcoming film, “The Dallas Buyers Club.” The drama, which costars Jared Leto, Jennifer Garner, and Steven Zahn, is set to hit the theaters later this year.

3. Actor Keegan Allen in Salvatore Ferragamo sun style SF102SL by Marchon. Catch Allen as good-guy-turned-bad Toby in the hit drama “Pretty Little Liars,” which airs Tuesdays on ABC Family.

4. Grand Funk Railroad’s lead man Mark Farner rocks out a smile in Helium Paris style 9013 sunwear by Match Eyewear while grabbing a hug from his producer, Joanne Codi, who is wearing Match’s Adrienne Vittadini style 1900 shades.

Vision Source Announces New Leadership

Vision Source, a Texas-based national optometric alliance, recently announced the appointment of Jim Greenwood as president and chief operating officer. Greenwood will report to founder and CEO Glenn Ellisor, OD. Before joining Vision Source, Greenwood was CEO of Concentra, where he led the company through a time of significant growth and innovative transformation for its national medical practice that now includes more than 1,500 affiliated primary care physicians and physical therapists. Greenwood serves on the board of directors for Epic Health Services, Inc., and the Baylor University Healthcare Administration Program’s Advisory Council. In his new post, Greenwood will help Vision Source continue to offer its members a wide range of value-added solutions, practice enhancement tools, marketing programs, vendor offerings, and other industry-leading member services in 2013.

License LINEUP

Safilo has renewed its licensing agreement with J.C. Penney Purchasing Corporation, Inc., for the design, manufacturing, and distribution of the Liz Claiborne and Claiborne optical and sunglass collections in the American market through Dec. 31, 2017. The multi-year agreement also includes an additional five-year renewal option.

Bulova Corporation has renewed its eyewear licensing contract with Eyewear by ROI through 2016, continuing the companies’ 17-year collaboration. Per the agreement, Eyewear by ROI will continue designing, manufacturing, and distributing the Bulova, Bulova Twist Titanium, Caravelle by Bulova, Bulova Interchangeables, and Wittnauer eyewear and sunwear collections.

REM Eyewear has extended its licensing agreement with American designer John Varvatos through 2018. REM will continue to collaborate with the designer to design, manufacture, and distribute John Varvatos eyewear and sunwear collections.

Web Watch

A&A Optical has relaunched its website, aaopticalco.com, with a sophisticated new design and layout to complement its branding initiatives. A more streamlined login process as well as a new CE portal, calendar of events menu, and supersized product images combine to provide visitors with an enhanced online user experience.

Essilor of America has added eight hours of new courses to ECP University (ecpuniversity.com), offering comprehensive training for front desk professionals at eyecare practices. With the addition of these new courses, ECP University subscribers have 24/7 online access to more than 80 courses, CE credits, and ABO Exam prep.

In addition, Essilor Labs announced the launch of its new website, essilorlabs.com. The site features one login for all Essilor Labs content, allowing ECPs to access information relating to the lab network, products, services, and programs in one comprehensive site.

On the new edition of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care’s “Healthy Vision™ with Val Jones,” optometrist, author, and president of the Ocular Nutrition Society, Jeffrey Anshel, OD, and leading nutrition researcher Elizabeth Johnson, PhD, join Jones to talk about nutrition and its impact on vision and eye health. Free podcasts of the show can be found on BlogTalk Radio (blogtalkradio.com/healthyvision).

1. Essilor’s ECP University adds new courses for front desk professionals; 2. A&A Optical’s website, aaopticalco.com, gets a facelift; 3. Essilor Labs recently debuted EssilorLabs.com, an all-in-one site featuring up-to-date information about lab network, products, and services

OWA Announces New Webinar Series

The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) has announced plans to expand its mentoring activities with the launch of the Expert Panel Series. The program will consist of two webinars this year, each consisting of three industry professionals sharing their expertise and experience. The first webinar, “Management: Tips & Insights for Improving Skills,” is set for Friday, February 15 at noon EST. The three panel experts are Kate Renwick Espinosa, chief marketing officer and senior vice president of VSP Global; Karen Michaelson, director of sales and customer care at Personal Eyes Optical Laboratory in Minnesota and the founder of i Kare Optical Education and Speaking and Services; and Debbie Myres, an account manager with Pacific Northern. OWA board member and Eyecare Business’ managing editor Amy Spiezio will moderate the panel. The program is free to all OWA members. Each webinar will be archived as well, and available to OWA members. INFO: opticalwomen.com/mentoring-webinars.asp

LOFT Hits NYC

LOFT NYC is inviting eyecare professionals to visit with a group of boutique luxury eyewear manufacturers during the week of Vision Expo East in New York, March 14 through 17.

Located at the Skylight West Studios, LOFT NYC has been gathering for the past several years to provide a home for a collection of both ophthalmic and sunglass companies that distribute high-level products with strong individual perspectives.

The group includes Bevel, Orgreen, Face A Face, Theo, Anne Et Valentin, SALT., Claire Goldsmith, Oliver Goldsmith Sunglasses, Kirk Originals, Francis Klein, and Caroline Abram. This year, LOFT NYC is growing with the addition of Mylon by Mykita to the exhibitors list.

The group maintains a Facebook presence year-round at facebook.com/loftnyc. In addition, a Tumblr page, loftnyc.tumblr.com, features information as well as pictures of the space and previous events.

VSP Launches Fourth Eye on Diabetes Campaign

VSP Global launched its fourth annual Eye on Diabetes campaign to provide eye exams, eyewear, and diabetes screenings to those in need across the U.S. The campaign, which began in 2010, has helped more than 4,000 people in 12 states receive free eyecare through the use of the VSP Mobile Eyes program and partnerships with local VSP network doctors, state optometric associations, optometry schools, and diabetes associations. New this year, the campaign will offer a free continuing education course approved by the Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE). The course, offered in each city of the campaign route and available to all licensed optometrists, will provide doctors with up-to-date information and tools for providing care for diabetic or at-risk patients. The courses will be led by VSP optometrist Jeffry D. Gerson, OD, FAAO, an expert in retinal disease management, and Paul Chous, OD, FAAO, a diabetes educator. INFO: vspeyeondiabetes.com

The Eye Show Premiers in LONDON

This month, The Eye Show 2013 will debut at the London Excel International Exhibition Centre in London on February 12 to 14. The three-day optical trade fair will feature a mix of products and services from exhibitors from around the globe.

In addition, the show will play host to a major conference for eyecare professionals and a free seminar program offering visitors the chance to earn continuing education credit.

Taking place within the main exhibition halls, the conference, which will be divided into two streams—Eyecare Practice and Eyewear Business—will offer new information and insights for optometrists and opticians and will feature some of the industry’s top speakers in diagnostics, technology, spectacle and contact lenses, and fashion frames. Each day’s program will open with a full-on debate led by keynote speakers. The conference is free to all Eye Show visitors.

INFO: theeyeshow.com

OD Excellence Conference Dates Announced

Registration is now open for the OD Excellence 3rd Annual National Conference, which is set for July 11 to 13, at the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel in San Diego. With a theme of “Navigate Your Future: Innovate…Motivate…Succeed,” the conference will include presentations and live discussions with some of the industry’s most recognized speakers. The conference will feature 70 premiere vendors and alliance partners offering hands-on demonstrations of the latest technologies and solutions. Other conference highlights include six hours of practice management education led by the University of Houston’s Sam Quintero, OD; 10 hours of medical management; and two hours of coaching opportunities with leading consultants. In addition, the event will offer 13 hours of staff education from which a certificate of excellence may be earned. For more information, visit odexcellence.com and select the 2013 Conference tab.

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Good Reads

SO GLAMOROUS!

“Glamorous Glasses” by eyewear enthusiast Barbara Johansen Newman is a true story of a young girl’s love affair with eyewear. In the book, Bobbie becomes enthralled with glasses while watching her cousin Joanie try on frames. Bobbie is sad to learn that her vision is perfect and won’t be getting glasses like her cousin, who is less than thrilled at the prospect. Later, the girls hatch a plan, and Bobbie trades her purse for Joanie’s glasses. But after some mishaps, they discover that seeing clearly is better than looking glamorous.

FIRST PLACE

Juli-Ann Ruben’s “The Race to First” tells the tale of her young daughter, Rachel, who is devastated when she finds out she needs glasses to correct her vision. Rachel is a girl who loves being first at everything, except when it comes to wearing glasses. Her fears of being made fun of are quelled after having fun picking out her new frames and getting a lot of positive attention from her family and classmates.

FASHION FILES

“Fashion Spectacles, Spectacular Fashion: Eyewear Styles and Shapes from Vintage to 2020” by Simon Murray and Nicky Albrechtsen explores the transformation of eyewear from its utilitarian roots to its place as a must-have fashion accessory through Murray’s collection of unique and historical eyewear. Featuring close to 300 illustrations, this guide to eyewear will appeal to fashion designers, stylists, and costume designers, as well as lovers of vintage collectibles.