Sights on Vegas
The eyecare industry’s enduring biannual gathering is heading back to Las Vegas Sept. 27-30.
Vision Expo West, hosted by The Vision Council and Rx at The Venetian Expo, is an exhibition and celebration of the latest trends and innovations in fashion, technology, and overall eye + vision health with a robust lineup of presentations and education. The continuing education offerings kick off on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 8:30 a.m., and the show floor welcomes attendees beginning Thursday, Sept. 28, at 9:30 a.m.
In our exclusive Vision Expo West 2024 guide on these pages ahead, EB offers a launchpad to help jump-start your own scheduling—as there is much to unpack. We serve up key highlights from the robust education schedule, a look at the parties and events you won’t want to miss, plus our coveted après-show guide to Las Vegas’ hottest shows and eateries curated by Food & Wine writer Jessica Colley Clark.
We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas—please swing by our Eyecare Business/BroadcastMed booth #F4092 to meet our editors and grab some extra copies of our big Vision Expo West issue.
—The EB Team
THE EB TEAM, LIVE FROM VEGAS
Eyecare Business will be on the ground, broadcasting live to EB’s social channels from the show floor throughout the event. Tune in for coverage of standout presentations and interviews with some of the eyecare professionals, celebrities, and executives who are working to shape the industry.
HANDHELD NAVIGATOR
Build your education and show schedule beforehand and stay up to date as the event unfolds with the Vision Expo mobile app, available for iPhone, iPad, and Android in the app store. The app hosts a variety of features to help keep attendees organized, including an exhibitor directory, a show agenda, a chat feature to keep in touch with other attendees, plus a personalized recommendations section that generates suggestions for exhibitors to visit and events to attend based on the interests you select and your activity in the app.
Education Highlights
Vision Expo West hosts multiple avenues of education, from hours of business and retail strategies for the optical to clinical continuing education and practice management. Vision Expo’s premier education program, VisionEd, offers more than 300 hours of optometric and opticianry continuing education and 150 courses.
The OptiCon package explores six key areas of education, including optical technology, allied health, contact lenses, practice management and business solutions, plus ABO and NCLE basic, advanced, and practical exam review courses, designed to benefit opticians, contact lens professionals, allied ophthalmic professionals, optical assistants and office managers, frame buyers, and lab technicians.
Here, EB curates a lineup of standout highlights from the robust schedule.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 27
Incorporating Myopia Management Into Practice
3:45-5:45 p.m.
Learn why it’s important to treat myopia, how to identify patients who are at risk for progression, and how to choose a treatment strategy.
You’ve Got To Be Fitting Me!
5-6 p.m.
Learn the fundamentals of frame fitting and styling.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 28
Breaking Bad: Habits
7:15-8:15 a.m.
Learn how to effectively reorder your frames and get in control of your inventory.
Leadership Absolutes
7:15-8:15 a.m.
Gain insight into juggling responsibilities as a manager with greater ease.
Risky Business: Dare To Be Different in the Optical
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Uncover a niche to set you apart from the competition.
Building a Winning Culture: Going Beyond Paychecks and Perks
11 a.m. to noon
Learn how to tackle one of the biggest challenges faced by the industry—attracting and retaining high-quality employees.
Exit Strategies for Slow-Selling Frame Inventory
11 a.m. to noon
Brainstorm innovative ways to move slow-selling frames while maximizing profit.
Words Matter, Choose Wisely
2:45-4:45 p.m.
Communicate more effectively with patients by learning tips to help you know what to say and when to say it.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 29
What the Doctor Expects From the Tech During the Exam
9:45-11:45 a.m.
Learn insights about maximizing the technician’s role in medical care.
Developing the Critical Building Blocks of Your Business
2:45-4:45 p.m.
Elevate your business management skills by exploring how to run a business with multiple revenue generators.
Myopia Matters
5-6 p.m.
Explore the reasons why the number of myopic children continues to increase in the U.S. and the potential for vision loss if these cases are not managed.
The Power of Polarized Lenses
5-6 p.m.
Discuss various types of glare, how variable and fixed polarized lenses are manufactured, and ways to recommend these lenses to patients.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 30
Lens Materials Matter, but So Does Everything Else
7:15-8:15 a.m.
Learn how to successfully match frames and lenses.
Bright Eyes on the Future of Fashion, Optics, and Vision
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Explore the vital role fashion and optics play in creating eyewear that offers the best vision and aesthetics for a patient.
Basic Frame Repair Workshop
9:45-11:45 a.m.
Participate in hands-on practice of a variety of frame repairs.
How To Hire From Within Your Practice
11 a.m. to noon
Learn how to hire someone with no experience and train them to become the employee you’re searching for.
Let's Strip: Bare Essentials for Progressive Lenses
1-3 p.m.
Gain a blueprint for progressive lens selection and fitting.
The 7 Habits of a Highly Effective Optician
1-3 p.m.
Based on the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People,” this course explores the day-to-day practice of opticianry.
SPOTLIGHT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
This year, on Wednesday, Sept. 27, Vision Expo West is presenting a lineup of courses designed to help elevate your social media game—from broad topics such as “Pay to Play: How to Advertise” and “Cracking the Code: Expert Perspectives on Successful Digital Marketing and Social Media” to more granular subjects like “Unleashing the Power of LinkedIn” and “The TikTok and Instagram Video Revolution.”
GLOBAL CONTACT LENS FORUM
Taking place Wednesday, Sept. 27, the Global Contact Lens Forum is a series of courses that explore topics including the latest developments in contact lens innovations, how to create a successful contact lens practice, the best course of action for treating myopic patients, and more.
Presentations + Parties
Beyond the exhibit-filled show floor, Vision Expo West offers a lineup of events—from inspiring and educational presentations to fun networking sessions + parties for blowing off steam. Here, EB curates a selection of not-to-miss Vision Expo West features.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 27
6 a.m. registration, 7 a.m. start
Swing Fore Sight Golf Tournament, presented by Prevent Blindness
Prevent Blindness hosts this year’s Swing Fore Sight Golf Tournament at Bali Hai, which Golf Digest named one of the “Top 50 Resort Courses.” All proceeds from the tournament support Prevent Blindness.
Location: Bali Hai Golf Club
THURSDAY, SEPT. 28
9:45-10:45 a.m., with a second session Friday morning
EYEnovate
This inaugural event will highlight the latest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, diagnostics, and more through a series of 15-minute presentations from the following companies: InflammX, Topology, Yolia Health, Myoptechs, and Eye-Go.
Location: Innovation Stage
Noon-1:30 p.m.
OWA Connection Series: The Rally Mentality
The Optical Women’s Association (OWA) will host keynote speaker Shannon McKain for an inspiring presentation on defining and overcoming perceived limitations, from the self-imposed to the circumstantial. Sponsored by VSP Vision. Everyone is welcome but prior registration is required. Visit opticalwomen.com/events .
Location: Venetian Level 3, Murano, Room 3304
12:30-1:30 p.m.
OptiCon General Session: A Conversation With Rebecca Alexander, LCSW-R, MPH
Rebecca Alexander was born with a rare genetic disorder, Usher syndrome (type 3), that would cause her to lose her eyesight by the age of 30. At age 19, a fall from a second-story window led her to lose her hearing as well. An author, psychotherapist, athlete, and advocate, Alexander shares inspiration for attendees to overcome their own obstacles.
Location: Innovation Stage
4:45-5:30 p.m.
Between Two Lanes: The OMD-OD Edition
Laura Periman, M.D., and Marc Bloomenstein, O.D., will explore how ophthalmological and optometric professionals can work together to provide the best care for patients, offering practice opportunities for cooperative care.
Location: Innovation Stage
9-11:59 p.m.
Opening Night Party With Bad Habits, “The Eye Docs of Rock”
A permanent fixture of the Vision Expo agenda, Bad Habits deliver a rousing opportunity for eyecare professionals to let their hair down and dance to renditions of classic hit songs. Comprising several practicing optometrists, Bad Habits happily bring the rock to Vision Expo attendees year after year.
Location: Brooklyn Bowl at The Linq Promenade
FRIDAY, SEPT. 29
11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
The Culture Calculation: Data-Backed Behaviors for Contact Lens Success
The Contact Lens Institute and The Vision Council reveal initial findings from a new study that explores creating a positive contact lens culture. A panel of experts will reveal facts and insights that eyecare professionals can implement to up their contact lens game.
Location: Innovation Stage
12:30-1:30 p.m.
ABO-NCLE Patient Choice Awards
A result of the course “Opticianry Leading the Way,” which provided both the practitioner’s and the patient’s perspective of a medical situation, the ABO-NCLE Patient Choice Award gives a patient the opportunity to tell their story of how an eyecare professional changed their life.
Location: Innovation Stage
5:30-7 p.m.
OWA Networking Reception, Raffle, and Silent Auction
Network with colleagues while enjoying hors d'oeuvres and cocktails at the Optical Women’s Association (OWA)’s networking reception, raffle, and silent auction. With designer items, travel packages, gift certificates, and more on offer, participating attendees will benefit the OWA’s professional development programs. Everyone is welcome but prior registration is required. Visit opticalwomen.com/events .
Location: Venetian Level 3, Murano, Room 3304
7:30-9:30 p.m.
The O.D.s on Facebook Party
Network with fellow eyecare professionals while enjoying an open bar and a live DJ on the Las Vegas strip.
Location: Drai’s Beachclub and Nightclub, Cromwell
SATURDAY, SEPT. 30
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Career Zone
The Career Zone offers an opportunity for corporate optical retailers and associations to meet face-to-face in an area designed for relaxation, community, and learning.
• At 9:45 a.m., the Optometry Divas will host a discussion on how to create a winning mindset for success.
Location: Innovation Stage
Vegas Après-Show GuideAn Insider’s Guide to Las Vegas Right Now
By Jessica Colley Clarke
After a few years of cautious travel, demand is high for the pleasures of getting away. And no city quite delivers like Las Vegas, with its unique combination of entertainment, nightlife from cocktails to concerts, and restaurants ready to stimulate and satisfy. Here are some recommendations to experience the spectacle of Las Vegas this fall.
Innovative Restaurants
Watch Las Vegas stroll by from beneath the shade of an umbrella at Brezza ($$$, 3000 S. Las Vegas Blvd.), a breezy Italian restaurant on the Strip. Stop by for an aperitivo cocktail and snack from the raw bar or settle in for a leisurely meal of elevated comfort classics from bucatini with fresno chile and crispy guanciale to whole branzino; don’t miss a side of fried artichokes.
Photos: Courtesy of ©Sabinorr
If you’re craving the bold flavors of Latin cuisine, check out Chica ($$, 3355 Las Vegas Blvd.) at the Venetian where chef Lorena Garcia has taken inspiration from the cuisine of several countries, from Mexico to Argentina and beyond. Start with the Mexican “mezze” to sample a variety of appetizers before digging into main dishes like Venezuelan braised short rib with cotija mash.
If time is in short supply, explore the varied options at Proper Eats Food Hall ($, 3730 S. Las Vegas Blvd.) at the Aria Resort. There’s something for every appetite, from burgers to pizza to fried chicken, with options for vegetarians and sweet treats, too. Oyster lovers may want to plan a visit just for oyster happy hour.
Photos: Courtesy of Jeff Green & Chris Wessling
To get off the Strip for cocktails and rooftop dining, visit Carson Kitchen ($$, 124 S. Sixth St.) and fill your table with mushroom flatbread, mac and cheese, and Moroccan-spiced cauliflower.
Photos: Courtesy of Eugene Dela Cruz
Best Places to Imbibe
When you want your martini with a view, head to Ghostbar ($$, 4321 W. Flamingo Road) perched 55 stories up in the Palms Resort. With a glass-bottomed patio and skyline views in all directions, this is a bar to be visited after dark. They also offer live entertainment most nights of the week.
American whiskey fans gather at Oak & Ivy ($$, 707 E. Fremont St.), a low-lit cocktail bar known for barrel-aged cocktails and rare spirits. The cocktails are works of art but the vibe here is relaxed. Stop in for a predinner drink or relax over a whiskey flight to taste several spirits side by side.
For a taste of the local craft beer scene, check out Nevada Brew Works ($, 1327 S. Main St.) in the Arts District. Relax over a flight of craft beer in the beer garden; pizza, burgers, and wings are available if hunger strikes.
Photos: Courtesy of Nevada Brew Works
If you’re seeking the unique combination of low-key watering hole with creative cocktails, plan a visit to Herbs & Rye ($$, 3713 W. Sahara Ave.). Behind the strip mall exterior, you’ll find a serious cocktail den that draws both Las Vegas locals and visitors alike. Many people arrive at this speakeasy-style bar for a drink or two, and wind up staying for dinner; steaks and flatbreads are popular picks.
ON STAGE
Las Vegas is a destination for its spectacles on stage, drawing musicians, comedians, and performers of all stripes to the Strip and beyond. Music lovers may want to check out current residencies from popular musicians such as Adele at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace ($$$, 3570 Las Vegas Blvd.) or U2 at the Sphere at the Venetian Resort ($$$, 255 Sands Ave.). For a comedy show, check out Ali Wong, star of the recent Netflix series “Beef,” taking the stage at the Encore Theater at Wynn Las Vegas ($$, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd.).
Photo: Courtesy of Denise Truscello,
Getty Images
Those seeking traditional Las Vegas-style dazzle will have a big range of shows to choose from, including Mad Apple ($$, 3790 Las Vegas Blvd.), the latest production from Cirque du Soleil that features acrobatics, dance, comedy, and magic inspired by New York City.
Another feat of acrobatics can be found at the Wynn Las Vegas, where Awakening ($$, 3131 Las Vegas Blvd.), which is narrated by Anthony Hopkins, delivers a technologically immersive theater experience filled with aerialists, comedic moments, and dynamic costumes on a 360-degree prismatic stage.
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