ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Opticians and contact lens technicians will be able to experience OptiCon @ Vision Expo for the first time at Vision Expo West 2018 (Education: Sept. 26-29; Exhibit Hall: Sept. 27-29) in Las Vegas. Vision Expo’s partnership with OptiCon brings the optician and contact lens technician education program to the largest gathering of eyewear and eyecare professionals. At press time, more OptiCon @ Vision Expo packages have been sold as of six weeks pre-show for Vision Expo West than were sold by the close of Vision Expo East, show organizers reported.

“We are thrilled that OptiCon @ Vision Expo West is trending ahead of Vision Expo East, which we considered to be a great success,” said Mitch Barkley, vice president of trade shows at The Vision Council. “OptiCon @ Vision Expo has become a destination for opticians and contact lens technicians to experience networking, education and the ultimate buying experience, all at an affordable price.”

Building on a strong debut at Vision Expo East 2018, OptiCon @ Vision Expo West attendees can expect access to a personalized and value-based experience package that includes:

• Up to 15 hours of continuing education
• Exclusive breakfast and general session on Thursday, Sept. 27, 7 AM – 8:15 AM
• OptiCon welcome party at Public House on Thursday, Sept. 27, 8 PM – 10 PM sponsored by Europa Eyewear
• Exhibit Hall access
• Access to discounted rates at a dedicated OptiCon hotel
• The opportunity to take ABO & NCLE review courses and Certification Exams (organizers note that sitting for Certification Exams requires a separate registration and an additional fee).

Opticians and contact lens technicians can connect in a dedicated OptiCon @ Vision Expo Hub in the Exhibit Hall (Booth #16093), an area for networking with peers and access to key representatives from ABO & NCLE and its partners. The OptiCon Hub will also feature:

• Thursday, Sept. 27 at 2:00 PM: A presentation on eyewear’s hottest trends.
• Friday, Sept. 28 at 11:00 AM: The National Academy of Opticianry Awards Ceremony, which will honor outstanding leaders in the eyecare profession with the Educator of the Year and Optician of the Year Awards
• Friday, Sept. 28 at 1:30 PM: A presentation on eyewear’s hottest trends.

In addition, the OptiCon @ Vision Expo Advisory Board has curated top education picks for attendees in the areas of business, contact lens and spectacle lenses.

“The first year of the OptiCon @ Vision Expo program has been a great success and has provided tremendous value to attendees,” said James M. Morris, ABO & NCLE executive director. “Through this partnership, twice a year, we are able to provide attendees with expanded educational and networking opportunities on the industry’s most expansive and exciting show floor.”

ABO & NCLE began producing OptiCon (formerly known as the National Opticians Education Conference) in 2009 to bring together Opticians and Contact Lens Technicians for a premier event produced for opticians, by opticians. Earlier this year, OptiCon @ Vision Expo was honored as a TSNN Best of Show Award finalist.