GRANGER, Ind.—Early-registration discounts for the inaugural ABO-NCLE National Education Conference are available through Sept. 12. The event offers more than 150 hours of ABO-NCLE approved optical and contact-lens training and education over four days, designed to improve opticians’ technical, professional, managerial and personal performance.

The weekend will also offer review classes for both the ABO and NCLE basic and advanced exams, with the corresponding certification examinations offered on-site. An Optical Showcase exhibit hall will highlight new products and demonstrations in the optical and CL fields.

The conference and location coincide with the Opticians Association of America’s 2008 National Opticians Convention, Sept. 18 through Sept. 20.

The $25 ABO-NCLE conference registration fee includes lunch each day plus a range of free-CE events on the program. Among these are: an industry panel on “The Value of Being an Optician,” featuring Essilor USA’s Mike Daley and Valerie Manso of Manso Management Resources on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8:30 a.m.; a session on “TrendSetting Eyewear Style,” presented by James Spina, editor-in-chief of 20/20 Magazine on Saturday at 9:45 a.m., and sessions on Ohio CE rules and “The Dispensary of the Future,” also that day.

Free CE in the Optical Showcase exhibit hall on Friday, Saturday and Sunday includes sessions on contact lens care and current CL challenges .

The welcome reception is Friday evenings, and the National Federation of Opticianry Schools is hosting an Alumni Reception on Saturday evening from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. On Saturday, the Optical Women’s Association (OWA) offers, free with registration, two CE hours featuring “Go Fish! For Opticians,” presented by speaker Mike Karlsrud, with a reception starting at 5:30 p.m. and lecture at 6:00 p.m.

Information and registration links are at http://www.abo-ncle-conference.com.