[bc]ESSILOR HONORS LABS AND RECOGNIZES TOP SALES CONSULTANTS AT NATIONAL SALES MEETING IN CANCUN, MEXICO[/bc]
DALLAS - (January 14, 2003) – For more than 680 Essilor sales consultants and Authorized Varilux® and Crizal® Distributor representatives, the outstanding achievements of 2002 paid off with a trip to paradise. The 2003 Essilor annual sales meeting, which took place in Cancun, Mexico, featured remarks by Hubert Sagničres, president of Essilor of America and award presentations to premier sales consultants and laboratories. The theme of this year’s gathering was “Groundbreaking Visions.”

Highlights of the meeting included the preview of the new Crizal® television advertisement – an industry first for anti-reflective (AR) lenses; the next installment of the award winning “Free the Presbyopic Six” ad campaign in support of Varilux®; an industry update from Dr. Richard Edlow, chairperson of the American Optometric Association Information and Data Committee; an update on the 2003 goals and enhancements planned for VisionWebSM; and closing remarks by motivational speakers Gene Kranz, director of mission control operations during the Apollo 13 landing, and humorist Larry Winget. Attendees also participated in seminars that outlined Essilor’s new marketing strategies and product launches for 2003.

Essilor of America President Hubert Sagničres emphasized his appreciation for the enthusiasm and dedication that the teams had for Essilor.

Awards presented included:
Essilor Lenses Lab of the Year: Walman Optical
Varilux Lab of the Year: I-See Optical
Crizal Lab of the Year: Pech Optical
Essilor Lenses Brand Group Salesperson of the Year: Mitchell Small
Essilor Lenses President's Club: Dee Ham; Jay Petkovich; Mitchell Small; Sheryl Young; Vicki Sobotka; Matt Coburn; Roger Lesher; Don Gardner; Scott Stewart
ELOA President's Club: Bruce Winslow; Joyce Gleaslen; John Hammer; Tory Olson; Kevin Lewandowski; Tim Martin; John Coombs; Charmaine Brenner; Lisa Kelly; Lois Yarnall; Tony Horn; Walt Grubba, Jr.; Jim Menard; Larry Sigmon
Essilor Lenses Brand Group District of the Year: Southeast District – RD Haley, DSM; Kenny Garrison; Brandon Barcinella; Daniel Kossak; Mitchell Small; Sheryl Young; Tom St. Jean; Dee Ham; Arlene Caputo
ELOA District of the Year: District 22, the Carolinas – Larry Sigmon, DSM; Bill Peele; Cliff Capriola; Jimmy Lane; Tim Martin; Bruce Rylant; Keith Hayes; Lee Hagwood
Essilor Lenses Brand Group Rookie of the Year: Stacey Flandro
ELOA Rookie of the Year: Lisa Kelly