EDITOR’S LETTER

Buying Smarter

Frame Buyer Certificate Program provides pointers from the experts

Welcome to EB’s annual kids’ issue. From strategies for purchasing pint-size product to tracking trends for patients from tots to teens, you’ll find lots of hands-on, need-to-know information on the pages that follow.

One of the biggest challenges, according to the ECPs we interviewed, is how to find the right mix of kids’ eyewear to both meet current needs and attract new parents and kids.

The EB research we’ll be featuring in next month’s “American Demographics” issue does, in fact, point to just how tough frame buying can be, regardless of the age of patients you’re trying to attract.

That’s one of many good reasons to register for some of the 17 hours of courses on the Frame Buyer Certificate Program track at Vision Expo West in September. Co-sponsored by The Vision Council, its Eyewear and Accessories Division, and Eyecare Business, these ABO-certified classes are designed to help you better manage, monitor, position, and promote your frame inventory.

ON TRACK

Topics will include vendor selection, inventory planning, board management, and, of course, frame buying.

Once you’ve completed eight hours of education on this track—whether it’s at one Vision Expo or over the course of several—you will receive a certificate of completion to display at the office.

So, who goes to these classes? As you’ll see from the list on p. 67 of the 57 most recent graduates of the Frame Buyer Certificate Program, attendees range from dispensers and practice managers to owners and buyers.

For more information about education at the Vegas show, Sept. 18-20, go to visionexpowest.com

Stephanie K. De Long
Editorial Director

P.S. Other not-to-be-missed opportunities at VEW include three sessions featuring retail customer service guru Scott Deming. See his article on p. 30 of this issue, which also includes the dates and times of his classes in Vegas.