NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center here was the setting for Vision Source Exchange 2017, the 26th annual member meeting of the optometric alliance Vision Source.

The “Music City” meeting, which ran May 3 to 6, drew close to 4,700 attendees over four days (a more than 10 percent increase over last year) and the exhibition show floor easily sold out. Attendees included eyecare clinicians, optometry staff, leading optical industry vendors and guests.

Meeting highlights included two special keynote addresses that drew standing-room crowds to the huge Gaylord ballroom: former Dallas Cowboys and Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman and Shark Tank investor Barbara Corcoran.

Aikman, who talked about the importance of hard work in achieving success, drew a laugh from the audience when he noted that he doesn’t miss playing football but, “I miss winning. That’s a whole lot of fun.”

Key topics at the conference included an update on the multimedia “My Vision Source Family” advertising and marketing campaign that debuted earlier this year, an overview of the Frame Dream fulfillment program that has expanded to 500 practices, the success of the practice-building Essilor Experts program and the introduction of two private label lens products exclusive to Vision Source members.