NEW YORK—New priorities among consumers and patients, transformed over the period of the past 18 months and shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, are raising important questions for both retailers and eyecare professionals about how to address those new mindsets, and how to learn more about what's necessary to re-engage and recalibrate connections. VM's Leadership Summit, in its second virtual event, delved into those questions with consumer trend experts' insights on macro trends, the rise of social media as a shopping channel and new technology changing patients' health care expectations.
 
Attendees also learned  of the experiences of diverse panel of experienced optometrists and opticians who compared notes and discussed tactics for re-engaging with consumers in the wake of the pandemic. Titled "ALL-CONSUMING: A Deep Dive Into the New Consumer  Mindset," the second virtual Summit is part of a three-part 2021 VM Summit series this year. Registration to the event is still open for those who didn't sign up in advance, details are posted here. The program is now available for on-demand viewing, and for access to a range of resources that can be helpful in interpreting the discussions. 

Kicking off the program on Wednesday, in a Micro Chat between Vision Monday's Marge Axelrad and Andy Karp, attendees learned about how consumers are viewing "Life Reimagined," which takes on key findings from Accenture, which conducted a global survey of people impacted by the unprecedented pandemic that is crossing borders and cultures. This has created a majority of consumers who see their lives significantly altered and for whom their personal priorities, concerns and behaviors will be forever changed. The full Accenture "Life Reimagined" report is available to VM Summit attendees.

These are the elements of the second 2021 VM Summit program, accessible on-demand in its entirety or by individual session:

ALL-CONSUMING: A Deep Dive Into the New Consumer Mindset

Micro Chat: Accenture's "Life Reimagined"

Marge Axelrad & Andy Karp

The Consumer's Behavior Has Already Changed
What We’re Seeing: Beyond Quarantine—The Macro Trends Shaping Post-COVID

John Dick, founder/CEO, Civic Science

The Imminent Rise of Social Media as a New Purchasing Channel
Stephanie Clarke, SVP, Red Havas

"The Patient Will See You Now"
Matt Alpert, OD, Alpert Vision Care in conversation with Destry Sulkes, MD, Klick Health

ECP PANEL: Capturing the Imagination and Loyalty of Today’s Patients
Moderated by Matt Alpert, OD, Alpert Vision Care, Calabasas, Calif. and featuring:

Ruth Domber, 10/10 Optics, New York City

Solomon Gould, OD, Scenic Eyecare, St. Paul, Minn.

Julia Gogosha, Gogosha Optique, Los Angeles

Mollie Tavel Kaback, Dr. Tavel Eye Care, Indiana
   

Registration for the Aug. 11 ALL-CONSUMING session includes on-demand access to the June 23 VirtualEYES! event as well. Registration includes both virtual broadcasts, full access to the VM Summit virtual platform, networking, on-demand viewing and exclusive access to attendees-only content after the event. Optometrists, opticians, ophthalmologists and students can register for no charge. All other industry registration is $99. Registration and other program details are posted here.
 
The theme of "Creative Disruption" will be continued in the third component of VM's 2021 Summit—a  live, in-person VM Leadership Summit to be held on Sept. 22 in Las Vegas, just prior to the launch of Vision Expo West. That session will be called "Retail & Healthcare: UPENDED! Ripping Up The Rulebook" and will examine new business models coming onstream. Details about that program and registration info will be posted soon.
 
The Platinum Sponsors of the 2021 VM Leadership Summit are EssilorLuxottica, Healthy Eyes Advantage-PECAA and VSP Global Premier Program. The Gold Sponsor is The Vision Council's Vision Health Alliance and the Silver Sponsors are Alcon and Ocuco.