Bringing It All Together
With Vision Expo set to debut its first fully unified format in March 2026, the industry is preparing for a new era—one annual, traveling event starting this year at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, and followed by the Venetian Expo in Las Vegas in 2027 and the Javits Center in New York City in 2028.
The Vision Council and RX, organizers of the optical trade show, have outlined a refreshed vision for the new format: a streamlined show floor, an expanded education program, and new platforms spotlighting innovation across eyewear, eyecare technology, and practice management. Among the highlights is a “Call for New” program dedicated to emerging industry advancements, alongside an expanded Now Awards initiative set to highlight brands from beyond the show-floor exhibitors.
Marking 40 years, alongside 40 years of Eyecare Business, this milestone edition of Vision Expo signals the beginning of a unified experience designed to maximize impact for exhibitors and attendees alike, creating a more powerful marketplace and educational hub at a time when the optical landscape is evolving rapidly.
Here, EB delivers your essential planning guide to Vision Expo 2026—curating what to see, where to go, and how to make the most of your first dive into Vision Expo’s one big show. —Veronica Daub
Eye on Education
Vision Expo 2026 debuts its first unified format with a robust education program designed to inform and shape the future of eye care. Industry leaders and experts will share insights across a wide spectrum—from clinical advancements and practice management to cutting-edge technology and eyewear trends. OptiCon ’26 @ Vision Expo offers a dedicated track for opticians, coproduced by the Contact Lens Institute and the United Opticians Association.
Here, EB highlights a curated selection of accredited continuing education courses aligned with our signature columns—curated with our readers in mind. —VD
For a full list of courses and sessions, click here.
>>An Eye on AI
Future Focused—AI and Marketing Trends in Eye Care: insights on leveraging artificial intelligence in marketing, exploring generative AI, evolving search and advertising, and balancing technology with human connection to engage patients effectively. March 11, 3:30 to 4:30 PM
Streamlining Operations—Time-Saving Tools and Techniques for Practice Efficiency: strategies for streamlining workflows, leveraging AI and virtual teams, reducing bottlenecks, boosting staff morale, and building scalable systems for sustainable, low-stress practice growth. March 13, 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Eyes on Efficiency: Using AI to Improve Patient Outcomes and Practice Efficiencies: exploring how artificial intelligence-powered tools can enhance clinical workflows, improve patient communication, reduce burnout, and drive innovation while delivering personalized care and maintaining the human touch. March 14, 1 to 3 PM
>>Back to Basics
Metrics That Matter—Stop Guessing, Start Measuring: practical strategies to identify KPIs that drive growth, distinguish actionable metrics from vanity numbers, and track data effectively to boost efficiency, profitability, and team accountability. March 11, 11 AM to 12 PM
Top 5 Practice Problems & How To Avoid Them: strategies for tackling 5 common practice challenges, improve workflow, boost revenue, enhance patient experience, and implement actionable tools for more efficient, successful operations. March 12, 9:45 to 10:45 AM
Tackling the Safety and Eye Care Needs of Athletes—An Introduction to Sports Vision Opticianry: explore how sports vision opticians address unique athletic needs—from environmental conditions and speed to visual range and safety—while reviewing eyewear options and building expertise for a sports vision subspecialty. March 12, 9:45 to 10:45 AM
What are All These Adjustment Tools?: hands-on guidance for opticians on selecting the right tools for alignments and repairs and understanding common lens and frame misalignments.March 13, 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Choose Your Words Wisely: Translating Optical Jargon for Your Patients: techniques for simplifying complex lens and light concepts, building patient trust, and effectively guiding recommendations for each individual’s visual needs.March 14, 8:30 to 9:30 AM
Basic Frame Repair Workshop: hands-on instruction on essential frame repair techniques, including semi-rimless restringing, screw extraction, and temple length adjustments. March 14, 9:45 to 11:45 AM
>>Building Contacts
Vision for Growth—Consumer Perspectives on Opticianry & Contact Lens Success: insights on contact lens adoption and consumer perceptions, highlighting opportunities for opticians to boost patient loyalty, drive business growth, and showcase their essential role in the contact lens care ecosystem. March 12, 5 to 6 PM
What Your Contact Lens Lab Wishes You Knew: strategies for collaborating effectively with labs, ensuring accurate design, troubleshooting, and efficient production of specialty contact lenses. March 14, 9:45 to 10:45 AM
Marketing Your Contact Lens Practice: tips for attracting and retaining patients, building benefit-driven branding, aligning staff communication, and leveraging digital and AI tools for long-term growth. March 14, 2 to 3 PM
>>Eye on Beauty
Makeup and Ocular Surface: strategies for discussing and performing eye beauty procedures, understanding industry trends, and gaining the tools to guide patients with knowledge and comfort in clinical encounters. March 12, 7:15 to 8:15 AM
Beauty in Focus—Elevating Eye Care Through Ocular Aesthetics: exploring technologies and strategies to address conditions from dry eye to rosacea, helping practitioners expand offerings, optimize patient outcomes, and make the most of their investments. March 12, 2:45 to 4:45 PM
>>Low Vision
Houston, We Have a Problem—Straight-Forward Solutions to Low Vision Problems: practical approaches for addressing common low vision challenges, helping patients with minimal equipment, and providing alternative strategies when initial plans don’t succeed. March 11, 3:45 to 4:45 PM
Solutions to Low Vision Beyond Magnifiers: guidance for evaluating treatment options, understanding device capabilities, and addressing the human side of low vision care for patients who can’t be helped with traditional lenses. March 12, 11 AM to 12 PM
>>Staff Hiring, Training + Retention
Navigating Practice Reviews—The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly: strategies for generating positive reviews, responding to feedback ethically, and building systems that strengthen patient trust, team alignment, and long-term digital reputation. March 12, 11 AM to 12 PM
Psychological Safety in the Workplace: strategies for fostering environments where staff feel safe to take interpersonal risks, boosting retention, productivity, and overall team well-being. March 12, 3:45 to 4:45 PM
Delivering 5-Star Eye Care: How to Turn Satisfied Patients into Raving Fans: tips for turning everyday interactions into exceptional experiences, building loyalty, trust, referrals, and lasting patient relationships with actionable tools and proven techniques. March 12, 3:45 to 4:45 PM
Bringing Passion into Focus—Seeing Your Career Through New Lenses: exploring how curiosity, continuous learning, and personal development help eyecare professionals reignite passion, boost confidence, and find fulfillment while elevating performance and patient care. March 13, 9:45 to 10:45 AM
>>Social Cues
The ABCs of Marketing—Simple Strategies with Serious Impact: strategies for how to achieve real impact by mastering the basics—Audience, Brand, and Channels—using practical strategies, actionable tips, and a simple plan that can be implemented immediately. March 11, 8:30 to 9:30 AM
How To Build a Personal Brand That Shines: ways eyecare professionals can define their unique value, enhance online presence, tell their story confidently, and increase visibility and professional opportunities. March 11, 9:45 to 10:45 AM
>>Topical in the Optical Industry
Myopia Control Program: expert insights on pediatric diagnosis, treatment complications, and long-term myopia care, combining cutting-edge research with practical strategies to tackle myopia as a progressive disease—split into 2 sessions: March 11, 8 to 10 AM and 10:15 AM to 12:15 PM
Optimizing Your Practice Through Managed Vision Care: a comprehensive look at premium lens technologies for opticians, highlighting patient benefits and strategies to optimize practice offerings and elevate care. March12, 9:45 to 10:45 AM
Dry Eyes & Myopia Management—When Kids Win and Lose: exploring how environment, screen use, and lifestyle affect children’s ocular health, with strategies and therapies to manage dryness, slow myopia progression, and improve long-term vision outcomes. March 12, 11 AM to 12 PM
Sunwear Sales—the Biggest Missed Opportunity: insights for understanding the sunglass market, educating patients about UV risks, and driving premium Rx and non-Rx sunwear sales while promoting eye health. March 12, 2:30 to 3:30 PM
Telehealth & Virtual Care—Expanding Your Practice’s Reach: practical guidance for implementing telehealth services, identifying suitable clinical situations, expanding patient reach, and ensuring proper reimbursement within standard care protocols. March 13, 3:45 to 4:45 PM
The Eye-conomics of Myopia Management/Control—A Micro and Macro Deep Dive: exploring financial and clinical considerations of implementing myopia control, helping practitioners optimize patient outcomes while maximizing practice revenue. March 14, 1 to 3 PM
Presentations and Parties
Beyond education, Vision Expo 2026 offers countless opportunities to connect, celebrate, and engage—both on and off the show floor. From thought-provoking main-stage panels to unmissable evening events, EB highlights key experiences to help you make the most of your time in Orlando.
For the full lineup of Vision Expo 2026 events, click here. —VD
>>Wednesday, March 11
OWA Champagne Breakfast: Celebrating Women in Leadership
8 to 9:30 AM
Vision Expo kicks off with the Optical Women’s Association (OWA)’s annual Champagne Breakfast honoring 2026 OWA award recipients Susy Yu, OD; Liz Friedfeld; Cathy Firman; and Alessandra Senici. Seats are limited—register by March 1.
Location: Hyatt Regency Orlando
Prevent Blindness "Person of Vision" Dinner
6 to 10 PM
Celebrate the 2026 Person of Vision Award presented to Jim McGrann, president and CEO of Advancing Eyecare. Gala proceeds support Prevent Blindness’ sight-saving mission.
Location: Hyatt Regency Orlando
>>Thursday, March 12
Eyecare Business Optimization & Scalability System (BOSS): How to Build a Self-Managing & Self-Growing Practice
10 to 11 AM
Discover the BOSS framework to grow your practice consistently by aligning people, process, and performance. Learn to uncover hidden opportunities, strengthen every department, and create a profitable, systematized practice that runs without relying on you.
Location: Vision Stage
From Burnout to Breakthrough: How AI is Giving Doctors Their Lives Back
10:30 to 11 AM
The CEO of First Insight joins a panel of expert ODs to explore how artificial intelligence can streamline workflows, boost revenue, and eliminate administrative burnout.
Location: Innovation Stage
Bridging Cultures in Chronic Disease Eye Care: Better Conversations, Better Outcomes
11:15 to 11:45 AM
Learn culturally responsive strategies to improve communication and follow-up among Hispanic/Latino and African American patients with chronic eye conditions, enhancing understanding and outcomes—sponsored by Latinos en Optometry.
Location: Vision Stage
Made in the USA: What This Truly Means in Today's Optical Industry
11:30 AM to 12 PM
Industry leaders discuss craftsmanship, supply chains, sustainability, and survival in the global market, debunking myths and exploring why domestic manufacturing still matters.
Location: Now Stage
Beyond the Lens: How Smart Eyewear Will Redefine Opticianry
12:15 to 1:15 PM
2024 #EBGameChanger Cira Collins, MPH, ABOM, NCLEC, leads a session on how smart eyewear is reshaping opticianry and how opticians can take a leadership role in this evolving trend.
Location: Vision Stage
Behind the Scenes: The Creative Process
1:30 to 2 PM
Learn from a Now award winner and the creative agency behind UN-TI-TLED about the ideas, inspirations, and execution that drive innovative optical campaigns.
Location: Now Stage
Office-Based Surgery: A Game Changer for Optometry
1:30 to 2 PM
Explore how office-based surgery allows optometrists to expand care, increase clinical ownership, and deliver advanced treatments within their practices while collaborating with ophthalmologists.
Location: Innovation Stage
AI in Practice: Leadership & Clinical Panel on the Future of Eye Care
3:45 to 4:15 PM
A panel discussion on how artificial intelligence is transforming workflows, patient communication, documentation, and business operations, with real-world examples from practicing ODs and industry leaders.
Location: Vision Stage
NOW Awards
4:30 to 5:30 PM
Celebrate innovation and creativity in the optical industry at the annual Now Awards ceremony.
Location: Now Stage
OWA Stars, Sips, & Scholarships
5:30 to 7:00 PM
Join the OWA to raise a glass and celebrate emerging leaders in optometry and scholarship recipients.
Location: Hyatt Regency Orlando
Opening Night Party
8 to 11:59 PM
The Bad Habits, aka “The Eye Docs of Rock,” return to deliver classic rock hits. New this year, expanded live music programming includes a country music performance and a live DJ. All 3 are in different venues located upstairs at The Pointe.
Location:The Pointe
>>Friday, March 13
VSP Innovation Challenge Awards
10:30 to 11:30 AM
Watch the final 4 startups pitch cutting-edge solutions to elevate eye care, with winners selected by judges and audience choice.
Location: Innovation Stage
Trend Forecasting: Colors, Materials, & What’s Next
11 to 11:30 AM
Discover how eyewear trends are born and forecasted, with insider insights into colors, materials, and cultural influences shaping the industry.
Location: Now Stage
UOA College Bowl powered by EssilorLuxottica
12:15 to 1:15 PM
Student teams compete in a high-stakes optical trivia showdown for $1,000 and school bragging rights.
Location: Vision Stage
Elevating Your Practice. Elevating the Future
1:30 to 2:00 PM
Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA) showcases real-world practice innovations that improve patient experience and operational efficiency, with actionable takeaways.
Location: Innovation Stage
The Smart Practice Blueprint: Winning Strategies to Implement AI Today
2:45 to 03:15 PM
Two ODs present a practical guide to integrating artificial intelligence into workflows, patient care, and revenue growth while maintaining the human touch.
Location: Vision Stage
Private Equity vs. Independently Owned
3:30 to 4 PM
Two eyecare professionals discuss the realities, challenges, and advantages of private equity versus independent practices, with candid insights and takeaways.
Location: Vision Stage
The Vision Expo Fashion Show Happy Hour
4:45 to 5:30 PM, happy hour at 4
Kick off the evening with cocktails, networking, and a high-energy runway show featuring the top eyewear designs for 2026.
Location: Now Stage
Patient Acquisition in the Age of AI: Level Up Your Marketing with 10 Proven Strategies
4:15 to 4:45 PM
Learn actionable strategies to leverage artificial intelligence for patient acquisition, engagement, and retention in today’s competitive marketplace.
Location: Innovation Stage