Vision Industry, Eye Care Professionals Urged to Contribute, Help Reach Goal of Raising $1 Million to Aid September 11th Victims

September 19 (Alexandria, Virginia) -- While the tragic events of September 11 forced the cancellation of the International
Vision Exposition (IVE) West, scheduled for September 21-23 in Las Vegas, they have also prompted Vision Council of America
(VCA) and Associations Exhibition and Services to establish a fund to benefit those most directly affected by the tragedy.

Today, the Vision Council of America Humanitarian Relief Fund was launched with the goal of raising $1 million, of which
$250,000 has already been pledged. ÒThe establishment of this fund is viewed by VCA, co-sponsors of International Vision Expo
West, as a way for the entire vision community to channel its humanitarian efforts through a single organization,Ó explained VCA
Chairman of the Board Peter Frieder.

The VCA has made an initial contribution of $50,000, an amount equivalent to 10% of its annual membership dues. In addition,
companies represented on the VCA Board of Directors (list at end of message) have voted to contribute 10% of their IVE West
floor space costs to the fund.

ÒIn addition to asking our colleagues in the vision industry to contribute,Ó Frieder stated, Òwe will be asking eye care
professionals to make contributions as well.Ó More than 10,000 eye care professionals will be contacted by email and asked to
donate to the fund and VCA member companies have been asked to contact their customers about contributing. Individuals can send
donations to the following address:

One hundred percent of the contributions collected through this fund will be donated to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief
Fund, United Way September 11th Fund, NY Firefighters 9-11 Disaster Relief Fund and NY Fraternal Order of Police Fund. If all
IVE West exhibitors contributed to this fund, more than $600,000 would be raised.

VCA Humanitarian Relief Fund
PO Box 77097
Washington DC 20013

In addition, contributions can be made by credit card by calling (800) 424-8422. Please contact Dana Wardlow at (703) 548-4560
if you have any questions. Rescue workers in New York are also in short supply of sterile eye wash (Dacriose) and safety
eyewear. If you can contribute these items, please contact Dr. Jerry Wintrob at (718) 789-2020.

The VCA Board of Directors is represented by the following companies: Carl Zeiss Optical; DAC Vision; Essilor Lenses; Eyewear
Designs; Gentex Optics; Gerber Coburn Optical; Hoya Vision Care of North America; Luxottica Group; Marchon Eyewear; PPG
Industries; REM Eyewear; Rodenstock North America; Safilo USA, Inc.; Satis Vacuum of America; Signet Armorlite; Sola Optical
USA; Universal Photonics; Viva International Group; Younger Optics; Zyloware Corporation

Vision Council of America 703-548-4560

I called in with a credit card-Its fast, simple, effective, needed, and very appreciated.

Thank you from harry J