Meetings and Events
The Vision Council creates opportunities for strategic relationship-building and networking by facilitating industry events and offering members access to exclusive programming at industry forums.
As the co-owner of Vision Expo, a trade-only conference and exhibition, The Vision Council helps curate the ultimate marketplace for the vision community to connect and conduct business. Revenue from Vision Expo supports The Vision Council’s mission to promote growth in the vision industry through education, advocacy, research, consumer outreach, strategic relationship building and industry forums.
The Vision Council also facilitates and participates in a variety of events including members-only Division and Committee meetings, professional forums, and a yearly Executive Summit.
Upcoming Meetings and Events
Vision Expo West 2025
-The Vision Council, co-owner of Vision Expo, looks forward to welcoming you to Las Vegas in September 2025! Vision Expo West, taking place September 17-20 at The Venetian Expo, will showcase cutting-edge technology, trending product launches, and exclusive educational content to serve the entire industry. The reimagined event experience promises abundant opportunities for exhibitors and attendees to connect as one community among the energy of Las Vegas, to discover the future of eyewear, eyecare and innovation.
Registration for Vision Expo West will open in early June and we look forward to sharing more details in the coming months. In the meantime, if we can offer any support as you make arrangements to attend the show, please contact Bonnie Whitfield, Director of Member Services, at bwhitfield@thevisioncouncil.org.
You will not want to miss this opportunity to capture the attention of the entire vision community. We'll see you in Las Vegas!
Vision Expo West 2025 Technical Meetings
Please join us for any or all of the technical meetings at Vision Expo West on September 17, beginning at 8 a.m. pacific.
These are member only events and all meetings will be held in The Venetian Convention & Expo Center; Meeting Room #404.
Retail Division Meeting VEW 2025
Please join us for a division meeting of the Retail Division on September 17 at 9am pacific. This is a member only event. Meeting will be held in The Venetian Las Vegas, Expo Meeting Rooms #301/302.
We will be continuing our discussion regarding the creation of a universal recruiting platform for optometrists and exploring Interstate Licensure Compact information.
Agenda
- Welcome and Introductions
- Update on OD Recruitment Efforts
- Interstate Licensure Compact Information
- Closing
Government & Regulatory Affairs Committee Meeting VEW 2025
Please join us for a meeting of the Government and Regulatory Affairs committee on September 17 at 10am pacific. This is a member only event. Meeting will be held in The Venetian Las Vegas, Expo Meeting Rooms #307.
Marketing & Communications Committee Meeting VEW 2025
Please join us for a meeting of the Marketing & Communications committee on September 17 at 11am pacific. This is a member only event. Meeting will be held in The Venetian Las Vegas, Expo Meeting Rooms #307.
Technology and Healthcare Divisions Meeting VEW 2025
Please join us for the division meeting of the Technology and Healthcare Divisions on September 17 at 11am pacific.
Meeting will be held in The Venetian Las Vegas, Expo Meeting Rooms #301/302.
Eyewear & Accessories Division Meeting VEW 2025
Please join us for a division meeting of the Eyewear & Accessories Division on September 17 at 12:30pm pacific. This is a member only event. Meeting will be held in The Venetian Las Vegas, Expo Meeting Rooms #301/302.
We are thrilled to announce that Jessica Rosen, Senior Director of UPS Trade Advisory Services, will be joining our E&A Division meeting at Vision Expo West for a dynamic and insightful presentation on Supply Chain and Logistics Challenges! Jessica will help us explore cost-saving strategies in international logistics and trade compliance, an essential topic for anyone navigating today’s global supply chain.
Jessica is responsible for leading UPS® Trade Advisory Services, which encompasses Foreign Trade Zone, Duty Drawback as well as UPS International Trade Consulting Services. She is also responsible for Customer Experience for Global Freight Forwarding and Global Customs Brokerage. Jessica is a Licensed Customs Broker (LCB), Certified Customs Specialist (CCS) and a Certified Export Specialist (CES). Jessica has 20 years of experience focusing on international logistics, trade and compliance.
Agenda
- Welcome and Introduction
- Leadership Process
- Supply Chain and Logistics Challenges Presented by UPS
- Market Trends and The Impact from Tariffs
- Vision Expo 2026
Please note, this meeting is also open to members of our Healthcare Division.
LLLPT Division Meeting VEW 2025
You will not want to miss our dynamic guest speaker, Jeffrey VanKuren, who specializes in Lean Manufacturing (a topic of great interest to many of you according to our recent division survey). His presentation, Sharper Vision: A Common-Sense Approach for Optical Manufacturers, will explore how Lean can enhance your business by capitalizing on your lab's "low hanging fruit" and by taking advantage of relevant Lean tools.
Jeffrey VanKuren is a dynamic executive leader with two decades of experience driving operational excellence, organizational transformation, and sustainable performance across world-class companies including Danaher, Fortive, and National Dentex Corporation. Recognized for his ability to turn strategy into results, Jeffrey combines deep expertise in Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen facilitation, and Six Sigma with a proven track record of improving profitability, streamlining processes, and building high-performing teams.
Meeting will be held in The Venetian Las Vegas, Expo Meeting Rooms #404.
LLLPT Division Meeting Agenda
- Welcome and Introductions
- Sharper Vision: A Common-Sense Approach for Optical Manufacturers + Q&A
- Made in the USA
- Prison Recidivism Discussion
- Getting Involved/Closing Comments
Emerging Optical Leaders Committee Meeting VEW 2025
Join us for an engaging conversation with a panel of Emerged Optical Leaders sharing their insights on:
- Navigating leadership challenges
- Growing into leadership roles
- Overcoming personal and professional hurdles
- Managing cultural and functional dynamics
Come with your questions and be ready for a dynamic and inspiring dialogue. Whether you're an aspiring leader or simply looking to sharpen your leadership skills, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!
The Emerged Optical Leaders sharing their lessons learned will be:
- Christian Hendricks, VP, Head of Lab Operations at Eyemart Express
- Michael Daley, Senior Director, Brands & Category Development at EssilorLuxottica
- Rebecca Geifer, CEO at Modo Eyewear
Meeting will be held in The Venetian Las Vegas, Expo Meeting Rooms #404.
All Member Meeting VEW 2025
Please join us for the All Member Meeting on September 19 at 8am pacific. This is a member only event. Meeting will be held in The Venetian Las Vegas, Main Stage on the Show Floor.
Over the Counter Division Virtual Meeting - October 2025
Please join us for our Fall 2025 Over the Counter Division meeting. We'll be gathering virtually and look forward to connecting with you on Zoom.
Save the Date for Executive Summit 2026
-You will not want to miss the 2026 event held January 26-28 in Amelia Island, Florida! The Vision Council’s annual Executive Summit brings together industry leaders for several days of executive level networking and leadership development. Designed to illuminate the dynamic changes ahead for the vision community from a balanced global perspective and provide concrete approaches to confronting these challenges, the Executive Summit includes a robust schedule of interactive panels and presentations by industry experts, as well as dedicated networking sessions. More information and details on how to register will come soon!