vision expo east in new york!

[questionX]

is any body attending vision expo east in NY in march 2013???

[eyedude]

I'm not. Maybe?

[Johns]

I really don't need to do much buying, but I might go anyway. Might take my wife this time to see check out the town.

[Jason H]

Never been there, I'd like to go. Short drive from SCR and I have family in NYC anyhow. More probable than not.

[Jacqui]

Probably not

[NUECoptical]

I'm not gonna make it to the Vision Expo, but I'm holding out hope that I'll be able to go to Vision Expo West. I'm just curious about the main reason people like to attend the VisionExpos. I'd like to go to have access to the CE credits (assuming I get my certification, which I should be finding out next week!) and to see new styles for frames. But what are the main reasons you'd attend?

[Johns]

I'm not gonna make it to the Vision Expo, but I'm holding out hope that I'll be able to go to Vision Expo West. I'm just curious about the main reason people like to attend the VisionExpos. I'd like to go to have access to the CE credits (assuming I get my certification, which I should be finding out next week!) and to see new styles for frames. But what are the main reasons you'd attend?

My reasons:

1. Buy frames and other products
2. Hang out with optical friends
3. Hang out with optical friends
4. Hang out with optical friends

[Jacqui]

I'm not gonna make it to the Vision Expo, but I'm holding out hope that I'll be able to go to Vision Expo West. I'm just curious about the main reason people like to attend the VisionExpos. I'd like to go to have access to the CE credits (assuming I get my certification, which I should be finding out next week!) and to see new styles for frames. But what are the main reasons you'd attend?

Free beer

[Johns]

Free beer

Oh yeah, I forgot about the free beer and food. Actually, the food that you have to pay for is pretty awesome as well. I would probably gain weight at the VE except that I spend 12 hours each day walking.

[questionX]

Yes. I have to....i am one of the exhibitors....
looks like most of people here don't really attend except for the free beers....lol....

I'm not gonna make it to the Vision Expo, but I'm holding out hope that I'll be able to go to Vision Expo West. I'm just curious about the main reason people like to attend the VisionExpos. I'd like to go to have access to the CE credits (assuming I get my certification, which I should be finding out next week!) and to see new styles for frames. But what are the main reasons you'd attend?

[questionX]

hey John,
if you get tired of walking...you can drop by at our booth to sit down....we got chairs....

Oh yeah, I forgot about the free beer and food. Actually, the food that you have to pay for is pretty awesome as well. I would probably gain weight at the VE except that I spend 12 hours each day walking.

[Johns]

hey John,
if you get tired of walking...you can drop by at our booth to sit down....we got chairs....

Chairs? Like massage chairs? Hmmm, that might work!

[Jason H]

Wait..... There's free beer?!?

[becc971]

I'll be there with bells on This kid loooooves swag ...

on another note: anyone going and taking CE credits? I was contemplating flying down a day early so i could take some friday morning classes, because i wanted to take insurance verification and filing (2127) and Profiting with vision care plans (2203) ... does anyone know if these are actually useful? or if they've ever been offered before? we do a LOT of insurance so i thought it would be helpful for our office

[Kallen]

As an exhibitor, we will be there!

[sharpstick777]

I'm just curious about the main reason people like to attend the VisionExpos. I'd like to go to have access to the CE credits (assuming I get my certification, which I should be finding out next week!) and to see new styles for frames. But what are the main reasons you'd attend?

1) If you are not buying some frames at the Vision Shows, you are simply losing money. I can save so much money, especially the last day. I usually pay for the entire trip in savings in about 2 hours. Its a great place to deal.

2) As well, there was a exclusive designer line who would not allow my store to carry their frames (my competitor was 8 miles away didn't want me to have it). Came to Vision Expo with a check, dropped it in front of them, and told them they could tear it up or send me their frames. I received an order within days. My competitor was NOT at Vision Expo. And is still angry over that. Ha!

3) its the only chance you will have to talk to the engineers who design Progressive lenses. Most companies have an engineer or two lurking in the booth who is there to help the sale reps, however, if you are clever and patient, you can get them alone, liquored up a little, and learn more about progressive lenses in 30 minutes than you will all year.

4) Information. There is nothing worse than being an Optician, and having a patient walk in and ask about a product you have never heard of. You get the best info on new and future products at the shows.

5) Trends. We are a fashion industry, and if you don't know what is driving the trend, I your neighbor, am simply stealing your customers. Know the trends, know your customers, and you will be a sales machine.

6) Inspiration. I always leave a show with the feeling we are truly in a wonderful and unique industrty. Quirky yes, frustrating true, but there is nothing else I would want to be doing, and there is nothing like a show to remind me.

7) Contacts. I can do more business in an hour at Vision Expo, than I can in a month with a cel phone and plane tickets. In your face business is much faster, and more efficient.

8) Fezz and Jefe go, it was so cool last year in New York to be talking to someone, and someone else who I have never met recognizes me as Sharpstick, as Jefe did. The people in this industry rock, and you would miss out on that if you didn't go.

9) Listen. I have overheard a ton of proprietary information at the shows, and it has helped my business strategy immensely.

10) Industry Changes. This is a huge year for changes in Optical, and if you are not aware of the changes, and planning ahead.... I am. And taking your customer before you even know they are gone. If you are not preparing for a new world in Optical, you are falling behind.

11) People. Its a great time to make friends that you will know for ages.

12) Meeting Paris Hilton. Now if I can only get her to stop calling me.

[Kallen]

We agree with sharpstick777 You won't want to miss what's coming at Vision Expo

[becc971]

Plus you can get free admission from most companies, so after that its just travel expenses :) and what you buy, but as sharpstick says you can get some pretty super deals

[lensmama]

Chairs? Like massage chairs? Hmmm, that might work!

There were chair massages offered a few years back. I have not seen them in the last couple of years. I will be going with Optilady1 on Saturday

[NeaOptikiSA]

I'll be there too guys. It's my first time to be in New York and we are going to have a booth there to exhibit our frames. Any advice for experienced exhibitors in NY? Any hints or tips?

[Steve Machol]

I'd like to go, but I simply can't afford it.

[mdeimler]

I'll be there too guys. It's my first time to be in New York and we are going to have a booth there to exhibit our frames. Any advice for experienced exhibitors in NY? Any hints or tips?

Free baklava pieces to stimulate the buying process...

[kcount]

Missing it this year and taking the kids to AZ instead.

[LSUpaul20]

My partner and I will be there. This will be our first expo. We are opening a shop, so we figured it will be a great opportunity for us to look at everything and buy :)

[sharpstick777]

I'd like to go, but I simply can't afford it.

Steve, you can room with me again.... jk.