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Marchon Eyewear, Inc., and Victoria Beckham, Ltd., have entered into an exclusive, long-term global licensing agreement for sun and optical eyewear. New collections developed under the licensing agreement will roll out globally beginning Fall 2019.

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◄ Essilor appointed Kovin Naidoo as senior vice president of inclusive business, philanthropy, and social impact. Naidoo’s former roles include CEO of the Brien Holden Vision Institute, Africa Chair of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness, and associate professor of optometry at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

◄ Safilo appointed Connie Lai Sin Ching as senior commercial head of APAC & Greater China. Most recently, she was managing director Asia Pacific for Marchon Eyewear.

Jane Balek has joined national public awareness campaign Think About Your Eyes as executive director. Balek brings more than 20 years of experience working with nonprofits and associations.

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The Envision Conference will be split into two events this year: Envision Conference East, March 22-23 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham; and Envision Conference West, Oct. 5-6 at the College of Optometry at Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, CA.

Marcolin Group has strengthened its investments and presence in Asia via an extensive expansion of manpower, an increase in “Asian-friendly” eyewear styles, a new logistics platform, and a new Asia Pacific regional office in Hong Kong.

Safilo Group recommitted its longstanding support to the Special Olympics. The partnership has led to more than 1.2 million pairs of eyewear being provided to Special Olympics athletes as part of the Special Olympics-Lions Clubs International Opening Eyes eye health and vision screening program.

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ABB Optical Group’s ABB Cares Program awarded grants to the following community programs: Extra Special People, Inc.; Santa Maria Hostel, Inc.; Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community Clinic; Alameda Education Foundation; Global Glimpse; Special Kids Connect; and Interfaith Outreach.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…

Barbara Caffery, O.D., Ph.D., FAAO, has been selected as the incoming president of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO). She is the first Canadian woman to serve as president of the AAO.

Paul Craig, co-founder and president of Rudy Project North America, has left the company to spend more time with his family and pursue philanthropic interests. He launched the company in 1998 with Brad Shapiro.

◄ Frank Rescigna has been named president of Tekā Eyewear. Rescigna previously was president of Viva International, president of Marcolin Eyewear, vice president of sales of Charmant, and most recently senior vice president of sales at Wiley X.

 

For these and other news stories, visit eyecarebusiness.com/news.

Show Time!

Registration is now open for International Vision Expo East 2019, with education scheduled for March 21-24 and the exhibit hall scheduled for March 22-24 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

This year’s opening night party will take place at Sony Hall, located in the heart of New York City’s Theater District.

Attendees can anticipate more than 300 hours of education, 23 specialty tracks to deliver improved patient care, and the presence of more than 5,000 brands for a premium buying experience. Plus, Vision Expo East fetes celebrity-influenced and independently designed urban eyewear with exhibit hall destinations—the BLOCK and NEXT.

To register: visionexpoeast.com .