Need an excuse for a fall weekend getaway to the Las Vegas, NV and want to take a breather from the optometry school grind? International Conference Vision Expo West, hosted on September 17-20, 2014, at Sands Expo and Convention Center, is the perfect opportunity to travel to “The Entertainment Capital of the World” for work and play. Vision Expo West will allow you to explore extensive Continuing Education topics, the latest state-of-the-art ophthalmic technologies, the trendiest fashion eyewear, and network with leaders of the optometric field. Joan Browne, PUCO Class of 2015, suggested 3 ways Vision Expo West bolstered her enthusiasm for optometry last year in this excellent article take a look!
Here are a few perks optometry students will get from attending Vision Expo West:
1. Continuing Education
With over 380 hours of Continuing Education at VEW, optometry students can boost their knowledge on topics ranging from glaucoma progression, to diabetes in optometry, to specialty contact lenses and wearable technology. All CE classes are free to students, and to make things easier, attendees can compile and customize their own schedule of CE classes on “My Show Planner.” VEW will also host an interactive and hands-on Optometry Student Education program on Saturday, September 20 for students to develop skills and ideas that will help them succeed in this profession. Apoorva Jinka, SUNY Class of 2016, highlighted the important lessons she learned at VEW 2013 from CE classes in this article.
2. “There’s an app for that!” and other Social Media fun
If the hassle of flipping through the 800-page VEW show booklet and map seems too daunting, attendees can download the VEW App, where all show information is available to them right at their fingertips. Attendees will be able to search for an Exhibitor, see all new products, find CE handouts, locate booths on the interactive map of the floor plan with point-by point directions, and connect to “My Vision Expo Show Planner.” To keep updated on the activities and events of the convention, follow Vision Expo on facebook, twitter, youtube, and instagram! You can also visit VEW’s Social Media Zone for photos, status updates, tweets, and snaps! Make sure you’re following OptometryStudents.com’s social media as well!
3. Technology and Exhibits
VEW features hundreds of exhibits geared toward the technology of the vision industry. For students to learn more about the medical direction of optometry, they have to understand how to use the state-of-the art technology and equipment. At VEW, attendees can network with the sales reps, test drive the various equipment, and learn about billing and coding regarding new instruments. Dr. Matt Geller’s informative article “A Guide to Ophthalmic Technology for Optometry Students” explains how students can get involved in ophthalmic technology at VEW.
4. Networking opportunities
Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to network with sales reps, future employers, and potential partners! Once again, Dr. Geller shared his insight on the importance of networking at conventions such as VEW in this article. Who you know in this industry can make a significant contribution to your career, so strap on those business cards, arm yourself with firm handshakes, and make those connections!
5. Parties and After-Parties
The perks of attending VEW in Las Vegas would be incomplete if we didn’t mention the parties! The Vision Expo Opening Night Party kicks off with a rock concert by the Bad Habits Eye Docs of Rock at the Hard Rock Café on Thursday, September 15, from 9:00pm – 12:00am. The schedule for Friday evening, September 16, will be jam-packed with a Vision Source Party and ODs on Facebook Reception happening simultaneously from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at The Venetian Hotel, followed by the annual Club Marchon Party from 9:00p – 1:00am at Paris Hotel. Last, but not least, the Optometry Students Party will conclude the VEW festivities on Saturday night, September 20, from 8:00-10:00pm at Kahunaville Poolside Lanai Bar, Treasure Island. While party officially ends at 10:00pm, you can always find the OS team out and at the after party. It is Vegas after all.
6. Travel Discounts
Want to travel in style and not apologize profusely to your bank account? VEW’s entertainment discounts reward attendees with excellent deals for all activities Las Vegas has to offer. “Sin City” is renowned for its casinos, mega-hotels, Michelin Star restaurants, and electric nightlife…Vegas has attractions that will cater to anyone’s tastes. Want to watch The Jersey Boys or The Beatles LOVE from orchestra seats? Want to experience indoor or outdoor skydiving? Want to sightsee at the Grand Canyon? VEW’s entertainment discounts will make post-show activities worth your trip. You can find the Entertainment discounts here.
Furthermore, VEW also offers excellent savings on Las Vegas’s luxurious hotels. From Bellagio, to Encore at Wynn, to The Cosmopolitan, the 5-star hotels in Las Vegas don’t get more affordable than the show discounts for VEW attendees! You can find the hotel discounts here.
7. A chance to win an iPad mini!
What happens in Vegas, goes on our website, instagram, twitter, or facebook. For the third year in a row, OptometryStudents.com is hosting a social media contest for all students. These contests have been hugely popular, and the OS team have always had a difficult time voting on a winner because everybody’s entries are so fun! Stay tuned for details to come!
Below are articles, photos, and videos from previous Vision Expo Events. We hope to see you there in Vegas!
(links to Vision Expo West articles are in the article above!)
The Vision Expo East Experience in our Words, Pictures, and Video
Vision Expo East 2014 Student Instagram Video Compilation!
So, You’re Attending Your First Optometry Trade Show: 5 Tips for Vision Expo East
