Are you packing your bags for International Vision Expo West? It all begins Wednesday, Sept. 16 with industry meetings and the massive education program. Then from Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 17-19, the exhibit hall is open, the CE is flowing, and the special events are popping.
To help you get the most of your time on the floor and in the forums, Eyecare Business is presenting some “don’t-miss” opportunities in one easy spot.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Check out http://www.visionexpowest.com/For-Attendees/Highlights/Events-Schedule/ for a complete, day-by-day explanation of special events, product demonstrations, and, of course, the CE program.
 
CELEBRITY SIGHTINGS
Rick Hopper from TV’s “Shark Tank” will be at the Readerest booth (#22110) from 1-2 p.m. on Thursday.
 
Pro skateboarder Tony Hawk will be at the Eyewear Designs booth (#18015) from 12-2 p.m.
 
American Idol judge Randy Jackson will be greeting fans in the Zyloware booth (#18031) Friday from 12-2 p.m.
 
Wee Man from the Jackass TV series will be at the Von Zipper booth (#17111) Friday from 2-4 p.m.
 
FUN ON THE FLOOR
Transitions Optical is giving VEW attendees a chance to “Win a Spin” in a Porsche for a weekend. Each of Transitions Optical’s lenscaster partner booths (Essilor, Younger, HOYA and Seiko) will have a unique product-related question for attendees to answer via text message. If the participants reply with the correct answer, they will be automatically entered to win.
 -- Style and tech guru, Sarah Evans will also be in attendance and interacting with attendees across the show floor, discussing the benefits of Transitions lenses and promoting the “Win a Spin” contest.
-- Additionally, there will be a mobile photo booth – presented by Rolling Stone – on site. Attendees will get the opportunity to take a photo and place it on their very own Rolling Stone magazine cover.
 
FORUMS, PANELS, AND MORE
The Optical Lab Division will hold its annual Director’s Choice and Optical Hall of Fame Awards dinner Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. at the Treasure Island hotel. Registration necessary: thevisioncouncil.org/members/optical-lab-division-meeting#hof
 
The Eyewear Designers of the Council of Fashion Designers of America (edCFDA) will gather for a high-end designer panel discussion on Friday, 4-5 p.m., at the Galleria Lounge. Panelists include: Blake Kuwahara of Blake Kuwahara Eyewear; Christian Roth of Christian Roth Eyewear; Gai Gherardi of l.a. Eyeworks; Robert Marc of Robert Marc Eyewear; Selima Salaun of Selima Optique; Shane Baum of Leisure Society.
 
State of the Eye Care Industry Address Moderator Kirk Smick, O.D., FAAO will lead a panel of industry leaders (Howard Purcell, O.D., of Essilor of America, Holly Rush of Luxottica; Rob Meyering of Bausch + Lomb) as they discuss the latest stats and business trends. Thursday, 12:30-2:30 p.m. Level 1, Room 503 (Casanova).


The OWA's Connection Series: Connecting Members to Leadership Ideas presents "Getting Four Generations Working Together." A moderated panel will explore and provide insight into four areas where the four generations don't always see eye to eye. Advanced registration is required at www.opticalwomen.com. Thursday, 12-1:30 p.m. Level 1, Room 804 (Marco Polo)
 
A keynote from The Ritz-Carlton Leadership Center on “Memorable Customer Service” will be presented Saturday, 7:30-9:30 a.m., Level 1, Room 503 (Casanova).
 
WORK HARD, PLAY HARD

 

The Vision Expo Opening Night Party (Thursday, 9 p.m.) with the Bad Habits Eye Docs of Rock band, at the Hard Rock Cafe. Get your wristbands from one of the sponsors' booths, or bring your VEW badge for entry. Register to win an official Hard Rock Cafe Fender guitar at the event. Open bar from 9-10 p.m.

The Party at Vision Expo West (Friday, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.) is the biggest party in Las Vegas. Over 7,000 Vision Expo attendees come to party using the entire outdoor property at the Paris Hotel. Walk to paths to see multiple live acts, Vegas performers and bar destinations. You may get a pass to The Party at Vision Expo West by visiting one of our sponsor’s booths (Marchon, VSP Optics Group, Eyefinity and Altair) anytime on Friday.
 


There is also an O.D.s on Facebook happy hour on Friday, a Vision Source member reception, a Young Professionals Club reception, a Young Professionals Club and Student Vegas pub crawl event, and many, many more. Visit the Vision Expo website for a complete listing of parties.