When was the last time you attended a weekend event that affected how you felt when you went back to work on Monday? The OAO, in conjunction with international agencies and optical companies, is planning for just such an event.
A few months ago, we received a call from an Italian company that also has a distribution facility and sales force in the United States. They had a dilemma and asked if we could help with a solution. The issue was that with the end of the two show Vision Expo model, this company needed access to eye care practitioners in the Midwest, specifically; Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
The OAO quickly formed a task force to brainstorm ideas on how we could not only address the need to give vendors access to the Midwest market, but more importantly, how the OAO could invest and give back to our members.
Thus, the MIDWEST SPEC FEST was born! This event will be the first of its kind in Ohio, and for many reasons. For ease of reading, I will explain the concept using bullet points:
At the MIDWEST SPEC FEST...
-The exhibit hall will be FREE to all attendees.
-All in-person CE credits will be FREE to OAO members.
-There will be 4 events each year, with events in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Toledo.
-This event will be open to all staff of opticians, optometrists, and ophthalmologists.
-There will be frame, contact lens, accessory, optometric equipment, and other vendors displaying.
As if that isn’t enough, the MIDWEST SPEC FEST will be offering:
-A FREE “Taste of Italy” experience.
-A fashion show of the latest eyewear designs
-A chance to win an all-expense trip for 2 people to Milan, Italy, in 2027, to take part in the MIDO Eyewear Show!
-A chance to win an all-expense paid trip for 2 to Vision Expo in Las Vegas.
Continue reading here...
OAO is proud to spotlight Carley, who recently achieved a significant milestone by becoming a licensed optician. We asked a few personal questions about her path, what this accomplishment means to her, and where she's headed. Her hard work and passion led to this milestone, and we couldn't be happier. Here's a peek into her journey, and what's ahead.
Q. Carley, what first sparked your interest in becoming an Optician?
A: About 10 years ago I worked customer service for Hoya. I took a break after I left them and stayed home with my daughter. When it was time to return to the workforce, optical seemed like a natural path for me to take. I already had a pretty solid base of information.
Q. Along the way, was there someone who really encouraged or inspired you to keep going?
A: Absolutely my family. I constantly want to be working towards being the best version of myself I can be, and I want to be a role model for my daughters to look up to as they grow up.
