INDIANAPOLIS--The National Association of Vision Care Plans (NAVCP) increased its membership by nearly 30 percent last year, while working to establish stronger ties with other organizations in the eyecare community.

By the end of 2005, the association--now in its fourth year--had 31 companies as members, according to executive director Steve Ingram.

The NAVCP also worked last year to heighten its profile in the vision care community, building relationships with the Vision Council of America and participating in the Total Ophthalmic Community conference, Ingram said.

During 2005, the association also released an online, searchable database for both state and federal legislative and regulatory activities, and began issuing monthly legislative tracking reports to member companies.

“The NAVCP continued to gain recognition as the voice of the managed vision care industry in 2005,” he noted. “Our membership companies continued to grow, but most importantly, our members looked to the NAVCP to provide them with tools and resources to assist in making business decisions.”

The third-annual NAVCP conference is scheduled for April 20-21 at the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.--a change in the event’s previously announced venue.