CARL ZEISS OPTICAL, INC. HOLDS FIRST-EVER EXPERT PANEL DISCUSSION
Zeiss Certified Vision Experts visit company headquarters
CHESTER, Va., May xx, 2003 – Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc. today releases images from its first-ever Expert Panel Discussion held May 14-16 at the Jefferson Hotel in Richmond. The Expert Panel Discussion was attended by key Zeiss executives and several Certified Zeiss Vision Experts. The discussion is designed as a strategic communications meeting where attendees can openly discuss the company's products and programs.

"Holding the Expert Panel Discussion, enabled us to spend some time with our Certified Vision Expert eyecare professionals and gain valuable feedback about our business moving forward," said Ed Greene, president, Carl Zeiss Optical, Inc. "During the last day of the panel, I was able to give the group a guided tour of our facility, allowing them to see first-hand the technological advances we are making daily."

One of the company's main goals is to keep customer orientation as the key driver for all activities. With this thinking, the idea for the Expert Panel Discussion was born. During the panel, Zeiss sales executives and marketing team members were able to give thorough presentations about Zeiss products and programs and garner valuable feedback on those from the Experts through roundtable discussions.

The Expert Vision System is a quality assurance certification program designed to help trained eyecare professionals simply communicate the superior value of products by Carl Zeiss. It is a closed loop process based on maintaining the highest quality standards from Zeiss to the Zeiss partner lab, to the Zeiss Certified Vision practice and ultimately to the patient.

Zeiss Certified Vision Experts are enrolled in the Expert Dividends Reward Program. The program allows Experts to earn Dividend Rewards for dispensing any lens from the Zeiss Gradal® family. Experts can then redeem their Dividend Rewards for official Zeiss merchandise, Humphrey/Carl Zeiss Meditec instruments, Zeiss Low Vision devices from Vision Advantage Inc., equipment from partner labs, Zeiss binoculars, co-op advertising and American Express Gift Cheques.