ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The Vision Council and RX, co-organizers of Vision Expo, encourage attendees to take full advantage of dynamic events, compelling education and vibrant show floor programming offered at Vision Expo East 2023, taking place March 16 – 19 at the Javits Center in New York City. Show attendees will have the opportunity to explore, network and conduct business with more than 425 exhibiting companies, and participate in cutting-edge education and engaging programming for 2023. Following are some Show Floor highlights:

VisionEd at Vision Expo East includes over 300 hours of educational sessions, covering the latest business strategies and optical technology to patient care and cutting-edge innovations. OptiCon @ Vision Expo returns with an unmatched opticianry education program and exhibit hall experience for opticians, contact lens professionals, allied ophthalmic professionals, optical assistants, office managers, frame buyers and lab technicians.

The Bridge, Vision Expo East’s main stage destination, will host an educational series of panels and discussions designed to inform, empower and challenge attendees. The Bridge will also feature the Innovation Stage, the Show Floor destination dedicated to groundbreaking content and state-of-the-art products and services revolutionizing the industry; the OptiCon General Session, featuring a conversation with radio personality and author, Delilah; and the Vision Expo Keynote address, presented by blind ultra-runner Jason Romero.

The NOW Pavilion at Vision Expo East 2023 will feature a curated selection of frames and lenses that embody the latest trends and innovations in eyewear and lenses. The NOW Awards: 1st Edition will recognize products from exhibitors across a number of categories that embody the industry’s most vibrant “talk-of-the-show” trends.

The winner of Vision Expo’s Fifth Annual OPTImum Independent Retailer Award will be announced during an award ceremony on Friday, March 17. Launched in 2018, the OPTImum Independent Retailer Award celebrates independent boutique retailers by showcasing their products, stores, visions and stories to the optical industry.  

 
 
Attendees are invited to celebrate the kickoff of Vision Expo East on Friday evening at two exclusive parties. The ODs on Facebook Fluorescene party will take place on New York City’s largest rooftop, 230 Fifth Rooftop. The official Vision Expo East opening night party will feature Bad Habits “The EyeDocs of Rock.” The longtime rock band comprised of several practicing optometrists, Bad Habits will perform from 9:00 p.m. until midnight at Sony Hall in the Paramount Hotel. All Vision Expo attendees are invited to the opening night party. Attendee badges are required for entry.

Attendees are also encouraged to visit The Vision Council’s Booth #U1703 in the Union neighborhood to learn about membership opportunities, future industry events, and how to stay connected to the optical industry.

To view the complete schedule of events taking place at Vision Expo East, filterable by date, browse the event directory here.

Vision Expo East’s “Can’t Miss” schedule of events is listed below. The event schedule is subject to change. Check Vision Expo’s website or mobile app for the most up-to-date schedule.

FRIDAY, MARCH 17

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. EYE2EYE Series: Eyecare Business Trends in Eyewear

11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. All Eyes on Independent Retail in 2023
Featuring Women’s Wear Daily

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. The OptiCon General Session: A Conversation with Delilah
Sponsored by EssilorLuxottica, Eyes of Faith Optical and OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation

2:45 – 3:15 p.m. New Views of Dual Wear: The Power of Prescribing Both Contact Lenses & Glasses
Presented by The Contact Lens Institute & The Vision Council

3:45 – 4:30 p.m. Vision Expo’s OPTImum Independent Retailer Award

8:00 – 10:00 p.m. ODs on Facebook – Fluorescene Party

9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m. Vision Expo East Opening Night Party – Bad Habits featuring the EyeDocs of Rock


SATURDAY, MARCH 18

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Career Zone - All Day at the Attendee Lounge

10:00 – 10:30 a.m. Why is Diversity Important for Optometry?
Hosted by the National Optometric Association

11:00 – 11:30 a.m. Innovation Stage: Introduction to “Envision” with Forma I, Lumecca I and Morpheus8: A Revolution in Ocular Care Technology
Sponsored by InMode

12:30 – 1:30 p.m. The National Federation of Opticianry Schools (NFOS) College Bowl
Powered by EssilorLuxottica

2:00 – 2:30 p.m. Innovation Stage: Using IPL and LLLT to Treat the Surrounding Conditions to Alleviate DED
Sponsored by Essilor Instruments USA

3:00 – 3:30 p.m. Meet & Greet with Keynote Speaker Jason Romero

3:30 – 4:15 p.m. Keynote Presentation: Challenge to Change, Presented by Jason Romero

4:30 – 5:30 p.m. NOW Awards: 1st Edition


SUNDAY, MARCH 19

9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Open Lounge Hours at The Bridge

Registration for Vision Expo East 2023 is still open. Individuals interested in attending Vision Expo East can pre-register here, or register on-site at the times listed below.

Conference Registration Open:
Thursday, March 16: 6:00 a.m. – 7:15 p.m.
Friday, March 17: 6:15 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Saturday, March 18: 6:15 a.m. – 6:15 p.m.
Sunday, March 19: 6:15 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.

Onsite Show Registration Open
Friday, March 17: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 18: 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 19: 8:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.