April 14, 2020— Vision Expo is launching a Virtual EYE2EYE Series, starting April 15, taking place on a weekly basis with a new topic every Wednesday and Friday.
The series of panels and interactive conversations is inspired by Vision Expo’s EYE2EYE educational series, and will feature several panels originally scheduled for Vision Expo East 2020, as well as new conversations addressing current challenges in the eyecare industry related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this unsettling and very disruptive time for the industry, we recognize that it is more important than ever to stay connected, to support one another, and to learn from each other,” says Fran Pennella, Vision Expo event vice president for Reed Exhibitions. “We hope that this series will serve as both an inspiring outlet that encourages creative dialogue, as well a useful tool for members of the industry to share advice and information as we continue to adapt to an unprecedented reality that is evolving on a daily basis.”
For the full schedule:
Coffee Talk – Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. ET
April 15: Keeping Your Business Going Through COVID-19 Moderated by Trudi Charest, Co-Founder at Marketing4ECPs, this will be a discussion with industry leaders about different business strategies implemented as a result of the pandemic, including launching an e-commerce business; implementing telemedicine; engaging with your employees during closure; and using social media to connect with customers.
Panelists include: Gary Black, founder and president of Black Optical; Jennifer Tsai, O.D., owner of Line of Sight Vision; and Mei Flemming, O.D., owner of Luminance Vision
April 22: What’s After COVID-19Moderated by Mick Kling, O.D., owner of Invision Optometry, this panel will address three main areas of concern:
1. Operational Recovery – How to bring operations back online: patients, scheduling, staffing, products, flow, etc.
2. Financial Recovery – How to best manage cash flow, PPP funds, vendor accounts, and more.
3. Mental/Emotional Recovery – What kind of impact might this have on a personal and professional level.
April 29: Telemedicine Presented by the American Telemedicine Association, this discussion will focus on implementing a successful telemedicine plan.
May 6: Secure the BagSales representatives will discuss how they are servicing and supporting their accounts during the pandemic as well as the creative ways they are generating business for themselves.
May 13: Preparing for EmergenciesThe panel will feature businesses that had set-up emergency preparation plans before the pandemic. Topics include how to manage insurance, maintaining payroll, setting up reserve funds, and more.
May 20: Changes in the Office Environment Post-COVID-19 Moderated by Justin Bazan, O.D., owner of Park Slope Eye, this panel will feature three business owners discussing the changes they will implement in their professional environments to make their patients and customers feel more comfortable including new tactics on cleanliness, social distancing, and patient and customer education.
Happy Hour – Fridays at 4:15 p.m. ET
April 17: The Definition of Avant-GardeModerated by Tarrence Lackran (@theopticalpoet), director of partnerships and programming at The Vision Council, this panel will be speaking with two eyewear designers who continue to push creative boundaries, this conversation will explore the meaning of avant-garde and what it means to be visionary.
April 24: The Art of the CollabModerated by Tarrence Lackran (@theopticalpoet), director of partnerships and programming at The Vision Council, this panel brings together some of the most prolific collaborators in the eyewear industry for an illuminating conversation.
May 8: Independence @ The Creative Edge James Spina, editor-in-chief of 20/20, along with a panel of retailers and vendors known for their keen sense of daring to break from tradition will explore the way they Do It Independently.
May 1: The Next Generation of Retailer Speed Dating – Session 1Moderated by Wendy Salle, experienced independent retailers will serve as mentors to new or future independent retail owners. Interested mentees should apply here.
May 15: The Next Generation of Retailer Speed Dating – Session 2Moderated by Todd Rogers, experienced independent retailers will serve as mentors to new or future independent retail owners. Interested mentees should apply here.
May 22: The Next Generation of Retailer Speed Dating – Session 3Moderated by Gary Black, experienced independent retailers will serve as mentors to new or future independent retail owners. Interested mentees should apply here.
To learn more about the series: west.visionexpo.com/virtual-eye-2-eye/.