Optometry students receive FREE admission to the Exhibit Hall at International Vision Expo East, a $75 value, when they select "Student-Optometry" as their title during online registration.
Exhibit Hall Hours
Friday: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 6:00pm
Sunday: 9:30am – 5:00pm
International Vision Expo is awarding one student from each of the 22 official AOSA schools of optometry a $1,000 travel grant to attend either Vision Expo East 2012 in New York or Vision Expo West 2012 in Las Vegas. One pre-optometry student will also be awarded a $1,000 travel grant.
Applicants submitted a 500 word essay describing their plans for the 5-10 years post-graduation and the importance of trade shows in the success of their future career. Thank you to everyone who participated. Congratulations to the winners:
Vision Expo East (March 22 - 25, 2012 in New York City, NY):
Steven Abraham – New England College of Optometry
Alana Bruner – Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University
David Chau – University of Houston College of Optometry
Janelle Driedger – Southern College of Optometry
Abby Hsu – Western University of Health Sciences College of Optometry
Toan Nguyen – University of Missouri, St. Louis College of Optometry
Dominique Oker – Inter American University of Puerto Rico School of Optometry
Josh Robinson – Illinois College of Optometry
Nia Sayady – University of California, Berkeley College of Optometry
Jessica Steen – University of Waterloo School of Optometry
Brian Sturgill – Arizona College of Optometry
Andre Matthews – University of California, Berkeley, Pre-Optometry Student
Vision Expo West (September 5 - 8, 2012 in Las Vegas, NV):
Benjamin Dietrich – Ferris State University Michigan College of Optometry John Gialousakis – State University of New York State College of Optometry
Amber Henderson – Pacific University College of Optometry
Marc Kallal – Southern California College of Optometry
Jason Koschmeder – Northeastern State University College of Optometry
Justin Manning – The Ohio State University College of Optometry
Margi Patel – NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry
Tracy Putnam – University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry
Martin Spiro – University of Montreal School of Optometry
Emily Bee – Williamette University, Pre-Optometry Student
The winners are required to participate in a Student focus group for the Vision Expo shows. The focus group at Vision Expo East is tentatively scheduled to take place Sunday, March 25th from 1:30pm – 2:30pm. This focus group will assist Vision Expo show management in understanding the needs of Optometry student attendees at the Vision Expo shows and provide suggestions on special events and programs for these students and Young ODs.
Students from the following schools will receive the opportunity to apply for travel grants for Vision Expo West. Information will be available closer to the conference:
Indiana University School of Optometry
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry
NEW – Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Services
Students may sit it on any class at International Vision Expo as long as the course is not sold out. Visit the conference office during Vision Expo prior to the course you wish to attend. If the course is not sold out you will be allowed to sit in the course at no charge.
Continuing Education Hours
Wednesday: 1:00pm – 6:30pm
Thursday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Friday: 8:30am – 6:00pm (break from 11:45am – 2:45pm)
Saturday: 8:30am – 6:00pm (break from 11:45am – 2:45pm)
Sunday: 10:30am – 5:00pm (break from 12:30pm – 1:45pm)
Friday, March 23
9:30am – 6:00pm
Vision Expo East Exhibit Hall Open
Sponsored By:
12:30pm – 1:30pm
Student Lunch
Location: Optometry Club
Students are invited to meet their peers from around the country in this informal luncheon.
1:30pm – 5:00pm
Visit the exhibit hall using the Student Friendly Exhibit Hall List or take CE courses (CE 2:45pm – 6:00pm).
5:00pm – 6:00pm
Doctorfest
Location: Optometry Club
Unwind from a busy day while enjoying drinks with fellow students and optometrists.
Saturday, March 24
8:00am – 9:30am
Job Search Meet & Greet Breakfast
Location: Optometry Club
9:45am – 11:45am
Student Education: What’s It Take to Make It?!
Speaker: Gina M. Wesley OD, MS, FAAO
Session: S201
Have you ever wondered what it takes, what it REALLY takes, to build a practice from the ground up? This lecture will cover the strategies I employed to build my practice from zero to grossing nearly $750,000 in just 4 years. Marketing successes and failures will be highlighted, in addition to covering staff management and office efficiencies. For those of you inspired to start your own practice, or improve upon an existing practice, this lecture will serve as a guide of ideas and advice.
12:00pm – 2:30pm
NYSOA/POA Student Panel & Lunch
Location: Room 1A28
Course Number: 3028
All students are welcome to attend this educational lunch session arranged through the cooperative efforts of NYSOA and POA. Not for credit.
2:45pm – 4:45pm
Student Education: Grassroots marketing: A different way to make $14,000 in 5 hours. A Guide to Building Loyalty to Grow Small Business...in a Box Store World.
Speaker: Dr. Hanaa Habashi
Course Number: S202
How do you stand out in a world of which is better one or two? This lecture will cover the strategies I pioneered to build my practice and think outside the box to create new marketing ideas, community partnerships, and lasting relationships with my patients and other small business. I will share the ways to increase word of mouth referrals and decreased advertising overhead. Successful ventures as well as not so successful ventures will be shared. The bottom line is if you have a passion, use it. If you have creativity, don't be afraid to share it. If you are driven and want to stand out from the pack, come listen and think outside the box for a couple of hours.
hansam_habashi@yahoo.com
5:00pm – 6:30pm
Doctorfest
Location: Optometry Club
Unwind from a busy day while enjoying drinks with fellow students and optometrists.
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Student Party
The Library Bar in The Paramount Hotel
Students are invited to a trendy NY bar to unwind and start the night before heading out on the town.
Sunday, March 25
9:45am – 11:45am (Includes breakfast)
Student Education: The Fast Track to Five-Stars and Facebook Fans
Speaker: Justin Bazan, OD
Course Number: S301
You are already familiar with user reviews and Facebook because you personally use them. Things are a little different when you are using them to build your business. This course will get you on the Fast Track to social media success. Learn the top 21 things your can do to earn more 5-star user reviews. Learn the top 10 types of post that will generate you the most engaged fans.
Attendees will also receive a lunch voucher.
Student Lunch Vouchers
Students who attend morning Optometry Student CE sessions will be given a $10 lunch voucher to use on the show floor between breaks.
Register for these education courses and events during your Visio Expo East registration process. If you have any questions, contact Client Services at 1-800-811-7151.
In addition to the student-focused events, Vision Expo offers events and programs to help offset your expenses while at Vision Expo East.
For discounts on travel (airfare, shuttles); entertainment (dining, coupons, nightlife) or for more information on Vision Expo parties, visit the travel and entertainment sections on our website.
To register as an Optometry Student for Vision Expo East:
- Click on the purple Registration button at the top right corner of the page
- Fill in your information and when you get to the Demographic Information page, choose "STUDENT-OPTOMETRY"
- Continue filling in the fields and make sure to register for the events and student education that you want to attend.
Note: Information about the courses and events are on this page.
- Once you have chosen which courses and events you will be attending, you can either add another registrant or complete your registration.
If you have any issues, contact Client Services at 1-800-811-7151.
Enjoy your time at International Vision Expo East in one of the premier boutique hotels New York City has to offer! The Paramount Hotel's midtown location, in the heart of the theater district, makes it ideally situated for any visitor. Conveniently located near Times Square, Central Park, Fifth Avenue shopping, Greenwich Village and SoHo, the Paramount provides guests a place where they can enjoy a great hotel in a central locale. A complimentary shuttle bus will also transport guests from the hotel to the convention center.
Congratulations to the winners of the FREE hotel room giveaway! Each winner will receive 2 nights FREE in the student headquarter hotel, the Paramount Hotel.
- Jeff Wayman, AZCOPT
- Nick Blasco, ICO
- Ashley Streuber, ICO
- Sundeep Kaur, IAUPR
- Jessica Ly, NECO
- Sowmya Srinivas, NECO
- Erica Ngo, NSUCO
- Matthew Stolz, NOVA
- Masoud Nafey, OSU
- Cibele Parrish, OSU
- Eric Ross, PUCO
- Vittorio Mena, PCO
- Cara Wolfish, PCO
- Dorothy Lea, SCCO
- Tania Mathai, SCO
- Scott Moscow, SCO
- Stephanie Van de Ven, SUNY
- Sandra Nnorom, UAB
- Alice Au, UCB
- Mai Nguyen, UHCO
- Bimal Patel, UHCO
- Ranbir Sond, UIWRSO
- Dan Myers, UMSL
- Joseph Vong, U of Montreal
- Linda Kit, WUHSCO
We have set aside additional rooms at the Paramount Hotel for our optometric student attendees at a rate of $209/night (does not include current tax of 14.75% and $3.50 per room/per night occupancy tax, subject to change). Visit the official Travel page to make your reservation. When booking one of these rooms, choose the category Student and use the pass code student11.
For more information on how to book your room, email Kristen Reynolds at
kreynolds@thevisioncouncil.org. Winners will receive instructions soon.
New O.D.
Bridging the Gap Between Optometry's Classroom and Exam Room
New OD, produced by Optometric Management, is the career and practice-planning resource that offers students and recent optometry school grads the valuable information they need to make the right career moves; run a successful practice by mastering the business of eyecare; tap into optometry's hottest opportunities; and more. Visit them online at www.optometric.com/newod or www.facebook.com/newod.
Megan Lee
Class of 2013, U.C. Berkeley – Free Hotel Winner for International Vision Expo
I enjoyed exploring the exhibit hall with fellow students, meeting doctors and meeting representatives from different companies. The connections made will be a great resource throughout our careers. Your support of optometry students is highly appreciated!
Sowmya Srinivas
Class of 2012, NECO
Tradeshows provide a platform for doctors and student doctors like me to meet the manufacturers/exhibitors face-to-face. As a student, the Vision Expo was very useful to me. I got a head start to learn about features of new products, benefits using the product, and how it can enhance patient care. In turn the exhibitors get valuable feedback from the visitors, such as doctors and students. This process creates an ecosystem of medical professionals, technologists, and businesses resulting in benefits to patients and the society at large. Most importantly I got a feel for the new products during the tradeshow. It can be a great supplement to learning about a product using the internet and at clinic. As an aspiring doctor I want to be a part of this healthy network between doctors and exhibitors. Vision Expo was a great benefit to me as a rising 3rd year student. My humble hope is to begin to use knowledge I got from Vision Expo and be a part of this continuous cycle of technological advances.
As future doctors, I feel that it is extremely important to learn to communicate with exhibitors and learn about new technology. In just a couple of years, we will be starting to purchase instruments and other products to use in our clinics. Vision Expo tradeshows provides an excellent platform for this. It is certainly beneficial if more students are given this opportunity.
Gina Wesley, OD, MS, FAAO
Dr. Wesley attended The Ohio State University, where she pursued concurrent degrees in both clinical optometry and masters in vision science. Accolades for Dr. Wesley include The Ohio State University College of Optometry Graduate of the Year and fellowship within the American Academy of Optometry. She was also awarded Minnesota's Young Optometrist of the Year for 2011. Currently, she practices at Complete Eye Care in Medina, Minnesota, which Dr. Wesley opened in 2008. She is a member of the Minnesota and American Optometric Associations. Dr. Wesley lectures and publishes on many aspects of the optometric industry, and has regular TV appearances discussing public health aspects of vision care. She enjoys all facets of primary care practice, including refractive surgery co-management, contact lenses, children and infant exams, diabetes and glaucoma care, practice management and advanced eyewear education. To find out more about Dr. Wesley and her practice, please visit www.cecofmedina.com.
Dr. Hanaa Habishi
Dr. Hanaa Habashi, originally from Fremont, California has been in Orange Park, FL since 2002. Dr. Habashi graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a B.A. in Human Biodynamics. She then went to the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and graduated in May of 2001 with a doctor of optometry degree. Dr. Habashi has completed her externships with the V.A. Orlando Hospital, Exton Vision Center, and The Eye Institute at the Pennsylvania College of Optometry. She then completed an eye disease residency at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami in 2002. She has gained knowledge and the expertise to provide the high quality diagnostic and therapeutic services to patients by working with tertiary care ophthalmologists specializing in cornea, external disease, glaucoma care and co-management of refractive surgical cases. She will also bring to the practice her knowledge of specialty fitting of difficult contact lens related cases from post surgical cornea, keratoconics, and multifocal cases.
Please visit www.eyesonoakleaf.com to learn more about Dr. Hanaa M. Habashi and her practice. Feel free to "like" my business Facebook page. Call me/ e-mail anytime to just say hi, or ask a question. Remember we all started at the same spot…and sat in the same desks at one point in time.
Justin Bazan, OD
Dr. Justin Bazan graduated from SUNY State College of Optometry in 2004 and currently practices at Vision Source Park Slope Eye in Brooklyn, New York. He is also Vision Source's North East Director of Business Development. He has been an active social media user since the early 90s. Professionally, he has been using social media channels like Wordpress, Yelp, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Foursquare since 2007. His business has gained popularity due to integrating social media into his business strategy – he estimates approximately 20% of new patients are gained as a result of their social media efforts and the revenue acquired from those patients is well into 6 figures. Park Slope Eye's Facebook Page has over 1,500+ fans, their YouTube channel has 40 videos with nearly 5,000 views, their Yelp page maintains a 4.5 Star rating with 100+ reviews and their Twitter handle has 3,600 followers. Dr. Bazan is a recognized speaker on social media in the eye care industry and small business world.