An Energetic Vision Expo West 2021 Sets Sights on a Brighter 2022
October 27, 2021
Held Sept. 22-25 at The Venetian Expo and Convention Center, Vision Expo West, the annual trade show and conference for the eyecare and eyewear industries, brought together thousands of ophthalmic professionals, who perused more than 280 exhibiting companies and took advantage of cutting-edge continuing education and engaging programming.
Presented by co-owners RX and The Vision Council, the bustling event attracted motivated attendees focused on conducting serious business, facilitating transactions and establishing meaningful business connections, according to RX officials.
“We are delighted that we were able to bring the vision community together for a vibrant, productive and safe show,” said Fran Pennella, vice president, Vision Expo at RX. “We are very grateful for the support of all attendees, exhibitors, partner associations and organizations who made this show successful and are already looking forward to bringing the industry together again in 2022.”
Among the show’s highlights were The Suites, which offered attendees access to established luxury fashion houses and the latest exclusive upmarket boutiques in an intimate buying experience across the Venetian and Palazzo Hotels, as well as OptiCon@Vision Expo, which offered an exclusive education program and exhibit hall experience for opticians, contact lens practitioners and ophthalmic allied professionals.
Presented under the banner of VisionEd, Vision Expo’s conference portion offered more than 190 hours of quality education, ranging from the latest business strategies and fashion trends to patient education tactics and cutting-edge innovations.
New to the event, The Seen served as a main stage destination and a hub for collaborative learning as the host venue for the EYE2EYE Series panels, an educational program of interactive panels featuring industry experts in discussion on topics ranging from fashion trend forecasts to tactics for refining patient care. This new show feature also housed the Innovation Stage, a showfloor destination dedicated to expert content and state-of-the-art products and services.
Additionally, the Career Zone-Student Lounge enabled students to connect with optical companies that are actively recruiting as well as explore career resources.
In the exhibit hall, many exhibitors said they were pleased with the vibrant energy and strong foot traffic on the showfloor, along with the meaningful connections they were making with buyers seeking new trends, technologies and innovative products and services.
“This is the best Show we have ever experienced in the course of attending Vision Expo for the past five years,” said Brad Sultan, CEO and founder of Kids Bright Eyes. “The customers that came to the Show were strictly here to buy, and we can’t wait to visit Vision Expo next year.”
Additionally, Vision Expo West 2021 brought together key industry groups and supporters. These included Prevent Blindness, the leading U.S. volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight, which hosted its Person of Vision event in conjunction with the show, from which all proceeds went to supporting its sight-saving programs.
Vision Health Alliance, The Vision Council’s new consumer education initiative, in partnership with EyeCare4Kids, a nonprofit dedicated to providing professional eyecare to low-income, visually- impaired children and underserved families, provided valuable resources to local Southern Nevada schools through several on-site and off-site activities.
Together, the two organizations conducted a mobile eyecare clinic at a local Las Vegas-area elementary school; assembled 500 emergency eye care kits at Vision Health Alliance’s booth at the show; and hosted a panel discussion at The Seen covering the importance of early childhood access to routine, comprehensive eye exams.
For eyecare professionals unable to attend in person, the show once again presented Vision Expo+, a free digital extension of the live experience that debuted at Vision Expo East 2021. Available Sept. 27–Oct. 3, it featured online showrooms from Vision Expo West’s exhibitors and recorded show content.
“It was fantastic to see Vision Expo West come to fruition in a safe and comfortable manner conducive to doing business, making new connections and learning,” said Mitch Barkley, vice president of trade shows and events at The Vision Council. “We’re thrilled to have delivered a show that offered impactful experiences on and off the show floor.”
Vision Expo East is set for March 31–April 3, 2022 at the Javits Center in New York City, while Vision Expo West will return to The Venetian Expo and Convention Center Sept. 14-17, 2022.
Don’t miss any event-related news: Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter HERE and engage with us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram!
Partner Voices
MGM Resorts is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse culture, not just among employees and guests but also within its supply chain. The company prioritizes procuring goods and services from businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, people with disabilities, LGBTQ individuals and those facing economic disadvantages. This commitment is integral to MGM Resorts' global procurement strategy.
Through its voluntary supplier diversity program, MGM Resorts actively identifies and connects certified diverse-owned suppliers to opportunities within its supply chain. The company is on track to spend at least 15% of its biddable procurement with diverse-owned businesses by 2025, demonstrating that supplier diversity is not only a social responsibility but also a strategic business imperative.
Supplier diversity isn’t just the right thing to do – it’s good for business. A diverse supply chain allows access to a broader range of perspectives and experience, helping to drive innovation, entrepreneurship and resilience, while strengthening communities. At MGM Resorts, engaging diverse suppliers ensures best-in-class experiences for guests and clients. Supplier diversity ensures a more resilient supply chain while supporting economic development in the communities in which it operates.
The impact of MGM Resorts' supplier diversity initiatives is significant. In 2023, these efforts supported over 3,500 jobs across more than 30 states, contributed over $214 million in income for diverse-owned businesses and generated more than $62 million in tax revenue. The story extends beyond the numbers – it reflects the tangible benefits brought to small and diverse-owned businesses, fostering economic empowerment in their communities.
MGM Resorts also supports the development and business skills of diverse-owned businesses through investment, mentorship and education. Through the MGM Resorts Supplier Diversity Mentorship Program, the company identifies, mentors and develops diverse-owned businesses to fill its future pipeline, while providing businesses with tools and resources to empower and uplift. Since 2017, the program has successfully graduated 105 diverse-owned businesses and is on track to achieve its goal of 150 graduates by 2025.
MGM Resorts’ commitment to supplier diversity not only enhances its business operations but also plays a crucial role in uplifting communities and fostering economic development. This approach reinforces the idea that diversity is a powerful driver of innovation and resilience, benefiting both the company and the wider community.
Add new comment