TRANSITIONS OPTICAL SPONSORS ACADEMY FOR EYECARE PRACTICES
Top Tier Consultants and Transitions Marketing Team Share Practical Insights for Improving Eyecare Professionals’ Business
PINELLAS PARK, Fla., March 27, 2009 – Practice owners and eyecare professionals will gain valuable insight into marketing and capturing new business through the expanded Academy for Eyecare PracticesTM sponsored by Transitions Optical, Inc. with support from industry laboratories and lens manufacturers.

The program builds on the success of Transitions Academy – the company’s annual education event originally developed for laboratory partners – by providing eyecare professionals an educational program that moves beyond abstract lectures. With laboratory and lens manufacturer involvement at the local level, the program provides doctors and their staff proven methods for independent optometry practices to build profitable businesses. Beyond the event, the program provides ongoing communications and support to help participants put what they have learned into practice.

Proven Results
The Academy for Eyecare PracticesTM format was tested in three markets in 2008, Charlotte, Anaheim and Minneapolis. Attendees received practical, valuable information on how to keep their practices viable, improve capture rates, quantify their work and use new approaches to educate staff and doctors about the importance of vision-enhancing eyewear. As a result, they reported increased sales of Transitions.

“I would recommend this event – it was even better than I anticipated,” said Bob McBeath, retail operations manager, Edina Eye Physicians and Surgeons, Edina, Minn.

Winning Format
All events will include top-tier optical consultants, such as Williams Group, Eric Rollins of Rollins Consulting, LLC.; Gary Gerber, founder and senior consultant of The Power Practice, and; Tim Fortner, trade development manager, Transitions.

Participants benefit from a full day of interactive sessions spotlighting topics such as marketing, management and finances. They walk away with concrete materials, such as benchmarking tools, customizable materials for their office, and working knowledge of how to leverage their unique story to the community. They also have the opportunity to receive free fits for Transitions® lenses with anti-reflective coatings.

“The Academy for Eyecare Practices is an opportunity for eyecare professionals to learn key marketing and financial tips to release their practice’s intrinsic value,” said Linda Reynolds, business manager commercial services, Transitions Optical, Inc. “Participants are energized by the excellent speakers, topics, and tools available to them from Transitions.”
Transitions and its lab partners have scheduled a total of 16 educational seminars this year, beginning in March, with more to be added. For more information and to register for upcoming events, visit www.Transitions.com/ecpacademy.
Upcoming cities and dates include:

• Columbus April 9th
• Richmond April 15th
• San Francisco April 30th
• Sacramento May 1st
• Phoenix May 6th
• Seattle May 13th,14th
• Southbridge, Mass. May 28th, 29th
• East Rutherford June 3rd
• Uniondale, N.Y. June 5th
• Fort Lauderdale June 11th, 12th
• Denver June 18th