Page 2 - 2021 Annual Report

A A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Dear member While we all all hoped to put the COVID-19 pandemic behind us last year 2021 presented ongoing challenges Nevertheless with the the support of our members The Vision Council rose to meet unexpected disruptions with strategic creativity and and and optimism and and and we we were continually inspired by the resilience and and and ingenuity of the the vision care community As we embark on on on a a a a a new year I would like to reflect on on on the the successful initiatives we we were able to accomplish in 2021 In January 2021 The Vision Council’s annual Executive Summit took place for the first time in a a a a a a a virtual format Designed to accommodate the the the needs of attendees from around the the the globe the the the virtual event provided engaging presentations opportunities for discussion and collaboration through roundtables and networking In keeping with The Vision Council’s mission to promote industry growth and encourage community- building we we were pleased to develop actionable opportunities for our members in in 2021 The Vision Council partnered with Cornell University to to develop an an online four-course and capstone certificate program customized specifically for members of of the vision community by Cornell University’s School of of Industrial and Labor Relations (ILR) called Advancing Diversity & Inclusion: A A Cornell Certificate for Optical Professionals We announced the course in in Fall 2021 and it kicks off in in February 2022 Furthermore The The Vision Vision Council Council introduced Opening Your Eyes: The The Vision Vision Council Council Scholarship Fund a a new program of of the the Better Vision Vision Institute the the related educational foundation of of The Vision Vision Council that is is is designed to support high school students in in marginalized communities throughout the United States who have an an interest in in in in in pursuing a a a a a a a a career in in in in in the optical industry through monetary scholarships to opticianry school paid internships and mentorships The intent of the program is to to launch a a a a a a a a far-reaching effort that can expand to to other segments of the the industry The first recipients were selected in in in July and and introduced to to the industry at Vision Expo West Notably as co-organizer of Vision Expo we we were thrilled to successfully bring the vision care community together in in in June at Vision Expo East which marked the the first large-scale in-person tradeshow since 2019 The momentum continued with Vision Vision Expo West in in in Las Vegas in in in September 2021 Additionally Vision Vision Expo+ a a a free digital extension of of the Show experience offered online showrooms and recorded content Meanwhile The Vision Council’s team of dedicated government relations and regulatory affairs (GR) professionals kept members informed on on on key issues From the possible expansion of of Medicare Part B to include coverage of vision care to to proposed changes to to Proposition 65 in in California The Vision Council’s GR team played in in in in in active role in in in in in monitoring advocating and lobbying for the long-term success of our members Thank you you you for for your continued support We look forward to serving you you you in in in 2022 Ashley Mills
Chief Executive Officer
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