WELCOME BACK TO THE BIG APPLE.

When Vision Expo East 2022 kicks off on March 31, more than 700 days will have passed since the vision care industry last gathered in New York City for this essential trade show.

The resilience of eyecare professionals, buyers, influencers, and technology leaders has been undeniable since the Covid-19 pandemic shocked the world, and the excitement to reunite and reconnect in the Big Apple is palpable.

With more than 330 exhibitors and 230 hours of education, Vision Expo East 2022 will once again fuse the best in eye care, eyewear, and continuing education.

This year’s Vision Expo East, organized by The Vision Council and RX, will take place at the Javits Center in New York City from Thursday, March 31, to Sunday, April 3.

Read on to discover what’s in store. For further information, visit visionexpo.com and reference the Vision Expo mobile app on-site for schedule updates.

We hope to see you at the show! —The EB Team

THE TIME IS NOW.

This year, the organizers of Vision Expo will debut a new eyewear trends showcase: NOW. Located in The Park, NOW by Vision Expo will present curated eyewear selections that embody the industry’s most vibrant trends.

This inaugural launch will feature eyewear that represents one of the following themes: sustainability, fashion post-pandemic–statement pieces/larger than life, diversity and inclusion through eyewear, and craftsmanship + technology and innovations through details.

The showcase will display companies that are exhibiting in The Atelier, The Springs, The Park, and The Union trade show floor destinations.

Safety First.

Vision Expo promises to be “Vision Safe.” In accordance with New York City and New York State, the Vision Expo East Health & Safety Guidelines require proof of vaccination for entry into the Javits Center and proper use of a face covering while inside.

Several different features are in place to maximize everyone’s health and safety: strict sanitization and cleaning procedures, sanitizing stations, exhibitor guidelines for booth design standards, reduced contact transactions, and more.

EVENTS + PRESENTATIONS

Whether it’s singing along to a rock band composed of optometrists or toasting to today’s leaders in optical, this year’s lineup of parties and presentations during Vision Expo is sure to bring the fun. Here’s a guide to some of the highlights.

For more, visit visionexpo.com.

THURSDAY, MARCH 31

7:30-9:15 a.m.

• OWA Awards Champagne Breakfast

 

The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) is hosting a champagne breakfast to celebrate 2022 Pleiades Award Honoree Erinn Morgan of Eyecare Business, Pyxis Award Honoree Laura Dorris of HEA+PECAA, and Emerging Leader Award Honorees Katie Lauver of GPN Technologies and Jennifer Stewart, O.D., of Norwalk Eye Care. Bestselling author and internationally recognized speaker Amy Dix will deliver the keynote. Registration closes on March 13.

Location: Gotham Hall, 1356 Broadway

FRIDAY, APRIL 1

9:45-10:15 a.m.

• EYE2EYE Series: Eyecare Business Trends Presentation

Erinn Morgan, editor-in-chief and editorial director of EB, will present the top fashion and eyewear trends for spring and summer. The interactive talk features key trends presented via informal modeling.

Location: The Bridge, Level 3,

• Booth U1134

EDUCATION HIGHLIGHTS

The more than 230 hours of credited education span a large variety of topics for doctors, technology players, and more, focusing on critical topics like practice growth, lens innovations, and disease management.

Read on for a sampling of Vision Expo East’s educational offerings.

For more, visit east.visionexpo.com/en-us/seminars.html.

NYC Après-Show GuideAN INSIDER’S GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY RIGHT NOW

By Jessica Colley Clarke

Travel may look different due to Covid-19, but the allure of New York City remains. This year, we’ve rounded up recommendations for diverse restaurants, creative cocktail bars, and tempting takeout options, all organized by travel tolerance level. Whether you’re ready to dive into a cozy bistro, are seeking a private yurt for a distanced dinner, or prefer to lounge over takeout in your hotel, we have a recommendation for you.

There’s a new requirement for dining and drinking in New York City, however: your vaccine card. It’s required and will be checked at the door, so be prepared to flash your card on entry. Beyond that—the pulse of Manhattan’s dining scene remains as vibrant as ever.

ALL IN: New York With No Restrictions

When hunger strikes after a day at the Javits Center, and you’re ready to slide into indoor dining, check out one of the many options in the nearby Hudson Yards neighborhood, including Jibs ($$, 350 11th Ave.), a seafood restaurant known for its raw bar and lobster rolls; Mercado Little Spain ($-$$$, 10 Hudson Yards), a food hall from chef José Andrés that celebrates the many flavors of Spain with options for every budget and craving; or Kyma ($$$, 445 W. 35th St.), a Greek taverna-inspired restaurant with candlelit tables and a menu full of Mediterranean fare including grilled fish and lemon potatoes. Farther south in Chelsea, Shukette ($$, 230 Ninth Ave.) is a casual, inviting Middle Eastern restaurant where dips, a variety of breads, and small plates (with lots of options for vegetarians) all inspire a family-style meal worth sharing. Beyond the west side, a couple of meals worth hopping into a cab for include a steaming bowl of pho or brisket banh mi at Hanoi House ($-$$, 119 St. Mark’s Place) in the East Village or Café Katja ($$, 79 Orchard St.), an Austrian café in the Lower East Side known for hearty bratwurst and goulash soup alongside Bavarian beers.

Cocktails, Live and in Person: If a cocktail craving hits, grab a seat by the fireplace at Bar Pendry ($$, 438 W. 33rd St.) for a classic Moscow mule or seek out the speakeasy experience at Thyme Bar ($$, 20 W. 23rd St.), a dimly lit cocktail bar reached through a bakery and down a set of stairs.

Still Distancing: Where You Can Eat + Drink Outdoors

One silver lining of Covid-19 in New York City is a proliferation of ever-more-creative options for dining outdoors; while the city used to have simply rooftops, sidewalk tables, and the occasional backyard garden, it now has igloos, pop-up huts, and former parking spaces transformed into covered gardens with heaters. For a true outdoor experience, grab a sidewalk table at the intimate Bar Pisellino ($-$$, 52 Grove St.) in the West Village, an ideal spot for people watching over a coffee or aperitivo, an Italian-style before-dinner cocktail (pastries, sandwiches, and light bites are also served). At Lafayette ($$$, 380 Lafayette St.), a private snow igloo is a cozy place to sample the sublime cooking of chef Andrew Carmellini, including dishes like moules frites. For the pop-up hut/greenhouse experience, make a reservation at Thai Diner ($, 186 Mott St.) and feast on a variety of Thai comfort food; this is certainly not the place to skip dessert (we recommend the banana rum pudding). No matter the weather, the heated private yurts at Jolene ($$, 54 Great Jones St.) are a cozy place to eat and drink while remaining socially distanced. Settle in over duck and scallion croquettes before raising a glass over roast chicken with salsa verde.

Imbibing With Distance: Seeking an after-dinner drink? Check out Manhattan’s rooftop bar scene at the enormous rooftop patio at Social Drink and Food at Yotel ($-$$, 570 10th Ave.), where there's plenty of room to keep 6 feet apart over a nightcap. For the igloo experience, get cozy in a bubble igloo at 230 Fifth ($$, 230 Fifth Ave.), a rooftop bar with cocktails including spiced hot cider.

Takeout/Delivery Focused: Bringing the Goods to You

If in-person dining is not on your itinerary, New York City has two equally delicious options: takeout and room service. But since the Covid-19 pandemic, it has become even more common to combine the two, and simply order takeout from your phone for delivery right to your hotel room (or sometimes the hotel front desk). If the day calls for a Mexican feast, swing through Chelsea Market and grab your order from Los Tacos No. 1 ($, 75 Ninth Ave.); be sure to try the marinated pork tostada. You can even order (via DoorDash) the famous Minetta Tavern ($$$, 113 MacDougal St.) Black Label Burger without ever setting foot in the compact dining room. Is the burger even more delicious when eaten in a bathrobe in the privacy of your hotel room? Perhaps. For people seeking bright flavors and plant-forward options, ABC Cocina ($$, 38 E.19th St.) has a long list of tempting dishes, from roasted mushroom tacos with sour cherry mole to a shaved brussels sprouts salad. For a classic taste of Chinatown, follow the locals to Great NY Noodletown ($, 28 Bowery) and order the roast pork and wonton noodle soup or roast duck.

Cocktail-a-Go-Go: Looking for a cocktail to complement your meal? To-go cocktails may no longer be available (though the New York government has suggested they may return soon), but in the meantime visitors have other options. Use your phone to order beer, wine, spirits, and mixers through delivery services like Drizly, Minibar, and Delivery.com; some offer delivery (to your hotel) in under an hour. If you’d rather browse for a bottle of wine in person, check out New York institution Astor Wines ($-$$$, 399 Lafayette St.) or Chambers Street Wines ($-$$$, 148 Chambers St.), where the staff is famous for their ability to guide you to a perfect bottle. —J.C.C.