ALEXANDRIA, Va.—The organizers of Vision Expo, The Vision Council and RX, today announce the schedule of programming and events set to take place at Vision Expo West 2021, taking place at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada from Sept. 22-25, 2021. The Show’s educational program, together with OptiCon@Vision Expo, will open Wednesday, Sept. 22 and exhibits will open Thursday, Sept. 23, according to an announcement from show organizers. To register for Vision Expo West 2021, click here.

“From engaging panel discussions featuring industry experts to exclusive networking opportunities designed for students and young professionals, we are pleased to offer a carefully curated schedule of programming that will allow attendees and exhibitors to conduct business, network and socialize both on and off the Show Floor,” said Fran Pennella, vice president, Vision Expo at RX, co-organizer of Vision Expo.
 
The Seen, a new main stage destination at Vision Expo West, is designed to serve as the Show’s central hub for collaborative learning and networking. The Seen will feature a robust schedule of panels and presentations, including the EYE2EYE Series, an educational series of interactive panels featuring industry experts in discussion on topics ranging from fashion trend forecasts and how to develop a more inclusive workplace to tactics for refining patient care.
 
The Seen will also house the Innovation Stage, the Show Floor destination dedicated to groundbreaking content and state-of-the-art products and services revolutionizing the industry. Additionally, the OPTImum Lounge, dedicated to key decisionmakers, buyers, ophthalmic professionals, lab owners, directors and top-level management, will be located in The Seen. On Saturday, Sept. 25, The Seen will host the Career Zone-Student Lounge, a destination for students to connect with optical companies that are actively recruiting and explore career resources.
 
To view the complete schedule of events taking place at The Seen, filterable by date, click here. The event schedule is subject to change.

Prevent Blindness, the nation’s leading volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight, will also host its Person of Vision event in conjunction with the Show on Thursday, Sept. 23. The Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Award recognizes an individual or organization whose inspired outlook champions healthy vision and its importance for a healthy life. The 2021 award will honor Marc Ferrara of Jobson Medical Information. All proceeds from the 2021 event will go to support the sight-saving programs of Prevent Blindness.  For more information on the event, click here.
 
For more details on special events, browse the special events directory here. The event schedule is subject to change.

Event highlights at The Seen are included below. Note, the event schedule is subject to change. Attendees are encouraged to check the website or mobile app for the most current schedule.

The Seen: Thursday, September 23
To view the full schedule of events taking place at The Seen on Thursday, Sept. 23, click here.

9:45-10:15 a.m.EYE2EYE Series: ECB Trends Presentation
Learn about fashion and eyewear trends for fall and winter from Eyecare Business editor-in-chief and editorial director, Erinn Morgan.

1:15 – 2:00 p.m.
EYE2EYE Series: Building a More Inclusive Work Environment
Moderated by Dr. Danielle Richardson, OD
Panelists include: Thomas Swinnen, president, North America at Johnson & Johnson Vision; Cristina Lopez, head of Talent, Culture, Inclusion & Diversity at Essilor; Marvin Davenport, VP, chief diversity officer at VSP, and Jaqueline Grove, SVP of Talent Development; Culture; Diversity, Equity & Inclusion; and Philanthropy at National Vision, Inc.

3:45 - 4:15 p.m.
EYE2EYE Series: Art of the Collab
Moderated by Tarrence Lackran, VP, Community Relations – Diversity & Inclusion at Luxury Optical Holdings

4:30 – 6:00 p.m.
EYE2EYE Series: The Independent POV & Champagne Reception
Moderated by James Spina, editor-in-chief at 20/20 Magazine

The Seen: Friday, September 24
To view the full schedule of events taking place at The Seen on Friday, Sept. 24, click here.

10:30-11:30 a.m.Innovation Stage Presentation: Latest AREDS2 10-year study results Presented by Bausch & Lomb
Learn about the recently announced 10-year study results from the National Eye Institute’s Age-Related Eye Disease Study 2 (AREDS2).
Speaker: Jeffry Gerson, OD, FAAO

2:15-2:30 p.m
Better Access, Brighter Futures: Increasing Access to Early Eye Exams & Prioritizing Eye Health in Preventative Healthcare
This panel discussion will explore how early and improved access to eyecare can set families up for a lifetime of better health.
Panelists include: Leaders from Vision Health Alliance, The Vision Council’s new consumer education initiative; EyeCare4Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to providing professional eyecare to low-income, visually-impaired children and underserved families; the Clark County School District and eyecare providers

2:45-3:15 p.m.EYE2EYE Series: Fluorescene with Dr. Alan Glazier

3:30- 4:30 p.m.
Innovation Stage Presentation: Establishing a Sports Vision Practice—Tips from the Pros: Presented by the International Sports Vision
Speaker: Dr. Charles Shidlofsky, FCOVD, Optometrist at Neuro-Vision Associates of North Texas

The Seen: Saturday, September 25
To view the full schedule of events taking place at The Seen on Saturday, Sept. 25 click here.

9:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.Career Zone-Student Lounge

9:45- 10:30 a.m.
EYE2EYE Series: Opening Your Eyes: The Vision Council Scholarship Fund Panel
Moderated by Tarrence Lackran, VP, Community Relations – Diversity & Inclusion at Luxury Optical Holdings
 
10:45 -11:15 a.m.
EYE2EYE Series: The Future of Care: Using Technology to Create the Ultimate Patient Experience
Moderated by Brianna Rhue, FAAO, optometrist at West Broward Eyecare
 
11:00 a.m.-12:20 p.m.
What’s the Best Part About Starting Your Career in Corporate Optometry?
Panelists include: Leaders from Shopko Optical, Luxottica, National Vision, Inc., MyEyeDr., and Warby Parker
Moderated by Suzanne Krauss, Vision Expo’s Career Zone-Student lounge manager
 
12:30-1:00 p.m.
National Optometric Association (NOA) Presents: Excellence: Overcoming Obstacles to Optometric Success
The Career Zone will host a panel featuring NOA doctors sharing their experience and tools for successfully navigating within the optometric profession.
 
1:10-2:00 p.m.
Life, Work, Balance in Optometry
Panelists include: Leaders from Keplr, Family Healthcare Network, Bixby Eye Center and Aria 
Moderated by Dr. Justin Bazan
 

“We look forward to safely gathering in Las Vegas this September and offering a vibrant, comfortable setting to conduct business as well as connect and learn,” said Mitch Barkley, vice president of Trade Shows and Events at The Vision Council, co-organizer of Vision Expo. “Bringing the community together safely is paramount to Vision Expo West; therefore, we will be carefully monitoring any changes in local, state and federal guidelines and we will be updating our health and safety protocols in keeping with the latest recommendations. Our protocols will be updated on the VisionSAFE webpage and regularly communicated to exhibitors and attendees.”
 
For the latest VisionSAFE guidelines, click here.

For more information on Vision Expo, visit visionexpo.com.