IOA Summer Update: MEMBERS

Friends,

Summer is here, and the time is right to reach out and touch base with IOA members around the globe.

Although much information can be found via our website and social media pages it is right that you receive timely updates direct to your inbox from your President!

I am sure I am not alone in being delighted to note the resumption of many face-to-face meetings/symposia/conferences and trade shows via numerous social media platforms and the ones of note that I have seen and even participated in a few are, in no particular order:

• Malaysia Optical Fair and MAPO Presidential Handover: Edmund Teng has passed the MAPO Chain of Office to Christopher Tai – Congratulations to Christopher and a well-earned rest to Edmund! We welcome Christopher warmly and hope to meet face-to-face soon!

• Optical Dispensers Australia: This is Australia’s newest member based professional network for optical dispensers in Australia and brings together colleagues from all modalities of practice, students and industry! Congratulations to all involved in this new organisation and we at the IOA are delighted to have supported your journey.

• Opticians Association Canada: The OAC met face to face in Nova Scotia in May to reunite industry supporters, licensed opticians’ friends and colleagues for two days of social interactions and quality education. Primarily attended by opticians from Canada’s east coast there were also delegates from Ontario – true dedication and an eagerness to meet again.

• Vision Expo East: Back in its home at the Jacob Javitts Centre NYC – a former mass vaccination centre – saw three days of everything any optical professional could want! Billed as ‘where Eyecare meets eyewear and education, fashion and innovation mingle’ I’m sure it was a great success!

• 100% Optical, London: The largest optical event in the UK bringing together professionals to learn, network and discover the latest products and technologies on an international stage. Indeed, the IOA’s very own Elaine Grisdale was on the programme and delivered education at the event.

• MIDO, Italy: Italy’s premier optical show which continues to evolve and offer new opportunities to industry and opticians alike, it is set against a backdrop of high fashion and innovation in new manufacturing technologies and huge opportunities to network. Elaine managed to visit and reconnect with many IOA partners.

• Opti Munich: Germany’s premier event rescheduled dates meant for so many diaries and travel plans had to be changed, however, the event went ahead in May and was a huge success. It is hoped in 2023 it will return to its more usual January date.

• European Academy of Optometry and Optics (EAOO), Dublin: The EAOO held its first Conference since 2019 in Dublin. Despite clashing with the rescheduled Opti dates an interesting educational meeting was held with symposia on Myopia Management attracting world class speakers from the USA, Hong Kong and numerous Special Interest Groups on Education, Myopia and Sustainability. Elaine and Fiona attended the event as both are members of the Board of Trustees.

So, forgive me if I have missed an event that you have attended! With so many events resuming face-to- face it’s not difficult to miss some. I think the most important thing is that things across the world are slowly beginning to recover, despite increasing infection rates here in the UK, people are gradually feeling a bit more confident about travelling and meeting face to face again. For me, whilst I have lived much of my life online and virtually over the past couple of years, I am grateful to have been able to stay in touch with colleagues however, after experiencing a few ‘live’ events it is a poor substitute for meeting up in person with colleagues and friends. For me nothing beats a hug and conversation with friends in person! Looking to the future, we at the IOA are looking into organising a virtual event for later in 2022. It is hoped that we can have some education and a chance for members to meet the Board and I think it would be a good idea to offer this again in 2023. Watch this space for more info!

Elaine has been working away diligently with our partner SILMO – the organiser of the Silmo Paris Optical Show and numerous other satellite exhibitions around the globe to deliver the first of many events entitled ‘Silmo Academy by the IOA’, the first of which was delivered in June in Prague, Czech Republic. The weekend event comprised of the Czech Association’s General Assembly followed by the Silmo Academy by IOA programme followed by a party. Elaine put together a varied and innovative hybrid programme with industry leaders in 3D printing, Technology Solutions for Opticians and both Elaine and I presented in person at the event.

Elaine and Fiona and SILMO Academy by IOA, Prague, Czech Republic

It is hoped that these live events can be replicated in numerous venues and that we will also be able to access and offer as recorded lectures some of the presentations as a resource for IOA members on our website. There are discussions underway for other events around the globe – again watch this space for more info! Final thoughts turn to still difficult times in the world – whether that be dealing with post pandemic stresses of resuming face-to-face contact, civil unrest – not one of us can be untouched by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and its near neighbours or the recent shootings in the US and Denmark – I want to highlight that the world still turns, we still provide services to our patients and we are striving to bring the IOA and the skills of opticians to the fore.

I was glad to read an update from Helen Whittaker, the Silmo/IOA Optician of the Year 2021, she reports that since winning the award she has been able to promote her business and charitable work highlighting her accolade and that she has so far had an amazing year! It just goes to show that the good work continues. Our shortlist for 2022 has just been published – we have an array of dedicated opticians shortlisted this year – my congratulations to them and we look forward to announcing the winner at SILMO Paris in September of this year!

Until our next meet up,

Yours aye

Fiona