Join the roadshow to

A series of 10 roadshow events designed to show the independent optical sector how to fight for 'competitive advantage' will take place next month. It is expected to attract up to 700 delegates.
The meetings, organised by independents buying and marketing business the Sight Care Group, offer eye care professionals the opportunity to swap insights and business strategy as well as listen to a series of presentations by industry experts.
At the events, CIBA Vision UK's professional marketing manager Mark Draper will present 2005 industry research and data on the impact of pricing.
He will show that pricing is not the major factor when consumers make a decision to change their optician. Nearly one in three consumers (30.7 per cent) do so because of dissatisfaction with levels of service and follow-up care, compared with 25.9 per cent who switch because of local convenience and opening times. Price is third in the list of 'drivers' with 23.5 per cent switching due to perceived 'better value' elsewhere.
The presentations, which review new research data on the growth of contact lenses <2212> claimed to account for 25 per cent of the overall optical market <2212> will give information on lens and service level preferences among existing users, and will also discuss tactics and tools to promote independent sector business growth in a deregulated and increasingly crowded market.
'CIBA Vision conducts and commissions extensive and in-depth consumer and practitioner research as part of its ongoing support initiatives for the independent sector,' said Draper.
'We can use this information to pinpoint market trends which can help independents gain a competitive advantage through recognising that shoppers are not simply driven by price.'
CIBA Vision is working with the Sight Care Group to develop a new series of marketing support packages and measures for independent practices.
Other speakers billed include Mike Broadhurst who will present 'A premium price for a premium product'. Simon Wardle will discuss 'Winning and retaining the competitive edge'.
The roadshow will take place in: Manchester (October 3), Stirling (4), Newcastle (5), Cambridge (10), Leicester (11), Slough (12), Belfast (17), Gatwick (18), Exeter (19) and Bristol (20).
Sight Care will fly delegates to Seville for its Biennial Overseas Conference next year. The four-day meeting will take place in Spain from May 11-14 2006.