ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Vision Council and RX, co-organizers of Vision Expo West, announced details on the opening night party and other special events planned for Vision Expo West 2022, taking place at The Venetian Convention Center & Expo in Las Vegas from Sept. 14 - 17, 2022. “We are pleased to be able to safely gather again and bring our community and industry together this September,” said Fran Pennella, vice president, Vision Expo at RX.

“Along with our partners at The Vision Council, we have curated a number of opportunities for members of the vision care community to learn, connect and have fun, both on and off the Show Floor. We look forward to these upcoming events and thank our event hosts for their support,” she said. To register for Vision Expo West 2022, click here.

Bad Habits “The EyeDocs of Rock,” the longtime rock band comprised of several practicing optometrists, will perform at Vision Expo West’s opening night party on Thursday, September 15. This year, Bad Habits will welcome celebrity guest drummer, Slim Jim Phantom, along with the Stars of the Million Dollar Quartet.

The party will take place from 9:00 p.m. until midnight at the Brooklyn Bowl, located at 3545 S Las Vegas Blvd. All Vision Expo attendees are invited. Attendee badges are required for entry.

The band started playing together in 1987 when three of the current members were optometry students at Ohio State. Bassist Michael “Jules” Raies, OD; keyboardist/guitarist Mark Schindler; guitarist Pat Dollenmayer, OD; keyboard player Bob Glass, OD; and drummer Tony Fenton, OD, have performed at numerous optometry conventions and events since 2000.

The band has also played at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has been an opening act for classic rock bands like Lynyrd Skynyrd and Cheap Trick. All the band members but Schindler are practicing optometrists. For more information on the opening night party, click here.

Additional special events and parties planned for Vision Expo West include:

Wednesday, September 14

Swing Fore Sight Golf Tournament
Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight, will host the Swing Fore Sight Golf Tournament at Bali Hai Golf Club, 5160 S. Las Vegas Blvd. Registration and breakfast will begin at 6:00 a.m. with a 7:00 a.m. shotgun start. For more information on the event and to register, click here.

Thursday, September 15

OWA Connection Series Luncheon
The Optical Women's Association (OWA) will host their Connection Series Luncheon from 12:00 -1:30 p.m. Sponsored by VSP, this year’s event will feature a special guest speaker and panel of industry experts who will offer professional development tips and advice. OWA’s most recent Leadership Scholarship recipients will also be recognized. For more information, click here.

Friday, September 16

Vision Monday's Most Influential Women Luncheon
On Friday, September 16 from 12:00 – 2:00 p.m., Vision Monday is holding a luncheon to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of its Most Influential Women Annual Issue and honorees. The luncheon will include keynote speaker Gina Rudan, director and cultural alchemist at Google X & bestselling author of Practical Genius. Registration is required. For more information or to register click here.

OWA Annual Networking & Raffle
The OWA Annual Networking & Raffle returns in-person on Friday, September 16, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. This event is a great opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues while enjoying traditional raffle and silent auction. The collection of Items has been generously donated by OWA’s Professional Development Sponsors. For more information, click here.

ODs on Facebook Party at Drai’s Beachclub
The ODs on Facebook Party will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Drai’s Beachclub and Nightclub. Free for all eyecare professionals, attendees are invited to attend and make in-person connections with online friends from ODs on Facebook, gaze over the strip and dance the night away. Vision Expo West badges are required for entry. For more information, click here.