Optrafair, the UK’s leading optical event since 1978, is scheduled to take place at the Birmingham NEC on April 1-3 2017.
MA Exhibitions and the FMO have worked in partnership with members and partners to put together the plans for the annual exhibition and conference programme.
Predicted to be the biggest and best Optrafair for many years, the event will coincide with the Optician Awards and visitors can now benefit from new facilities available at Resorts World Birmingham.
The FMO also celebrates its 100th year hosting a Centenary Bar in the exhibition hall. A new business seminar (see below), CET sessions and trend forecasting feature have also been factored in by the show organising team.
Practices, practitioners and suppliers have entered a range of categories, including a new audiology prize ahead of the Optician Awards.
Judges will then decide on shortlists in advance of a champagne reception and black tie ceremony in the Hilton Metropole on April 1, coinciding with Optrafair.
Optrafair business seminar programme
10:30-11.00: Making contact lenses pay, David Samuel, BCLA
11.15-11:45: Marketing your practice for sustainable growth, Mark Draper, Storm
12:00-12:30: Future trends in eyewear fashion and design, Jaqui Ma
12:45-14.00: Improving CL wearer compliance to reduce dropouts and complaints, Richard Edwards and Jennie Jones, OCCS (3 CET points)
14:15-14:45: ‘What more could you do with your career?’ Dr Tony Redmond, Dr Barbara Ryan and Dr Nik Sheen, WOPEC and Cardiff University
15:00-15:30: ‘If I train staff they will just leave…’ – why developing support staff is good for everyone, SMC
15:45-16:15: Pick Me, Pick Me! Gavin Rebello, Storm
16:30-17:00: How to build an army of raving fans, David Samuel, Storm
17:15-17:45: Planting the seed: the psychology of shopping, Gina Robinson
Saturday, April 2
10.15-10.45: 7 tips to improve your practice profits, Dr Imran Hakim, Storm
11.00-11.30: Making contact lenses pay, David Samuel, BCLA
11.45-12.15: Build a winning team masterclass, Sarah Morgan, Storm
12.30-13.00: Don’t let the opportunity float away: The role of micronutrients in the treatment of vitreous floaters, Thomas Kaercher
14.00-15.00: The future of optics: one year on, Doug Perkins (1 CET point)
15.15-15.45: Future trends in eyewear fashion and design, Jaqui Ma
16.00-16.30: The practice of the future, Dr Imran Hakim, Storm
16:45-18.00: Meeting the eyecare needs of people with learning disabilities: clinical and practical considerations, Lisa Donaldson and Ned Saunders, See Ability (3 CET points)
Monday, April 3
10:30-11.45: Perimetry workshop, skills workshop (3 CET points)
12:00-12:30: Top 5 HR mistakes made by practice owners, Emma Wynne, Storm
12:45-13:15: Making contact lenses pay, David Samuel, BCLA
13:30-14:00: The optical professions: what does the future hold? Samantha Peters, General Optical Council
For more information visit optrafair.co.uk and opticianawards.co.uk