[bc]OAA National Opticians Convention to be held at
Florida Vision Preview[/bc]
FT. LAUDERDALE, FL- Florida Vision Preview 2003 will host this year's Opticians Association of America's National Opticians Convention. Vision Preview is sponsored by the Professional Opticians of Florida and is the largest optical trade show in Florida and the Caribbean. The co-located events will be held October 24-26 at the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center.


Curt Duff, OAA's convention chair and incoming president commented, "Our national convention is a good fit with Florida's event, we're hoping for record attendance this year." Duff added, "this co-hosted event is an excellent way for OAA to kick off it’s new commitment to cooperation and involvement with the State Societies."


Plenty of Approved Education for Opticians
In addition to the 30,000 square foot exhibit hall, Vision Preview will offer over 35 different continuing education courses for opticians presented by some of the Nation's leading speakers. The continuing education courses, in addition to being approved for state licensure renewal, will all be approved for ABO or NCLE credit and technical topics will be approved by the Academy for JCAHPO credit. The full schedule of education courses will be available after July 15, 2003.

“We are very pleased and honored to host the National OAA event here in Florida,” stated Joe Black, POF President “ Vision Preview has a long track record of strong attendance and a great reputation for vendors doing good business and now with OAA's involvement in the show it should only be that much stronger."

COPE Approved Education for Optometrists
Along with abundant offering of optician education, optometrist education will also be available at Vision Preview, the COPE and State of Florida approved OD education is sponsored by the non-profit group Bay Point Anterior Segment Symposium.

E-X-P-A-N-D-E-D Exhibit Marketing to Caribbean’s ECPs
Mark A. Miller, Executive Director of POF was pleased to announce “We have expanded our marketing efforts into the lucrative Caribbean region, as well as to all optical establishments in the Southeast, The show has always attracted buyers eager to stock their display boards with the latest products in preparation for the area's busy Winter tourist season”

Great Location
The Vision Preview 2003 event is centrally located in South Florida, the hotel and center are less than 10 minutes from the Ft. Lauderdale International Airport and about 35 minutes from both the Miami International and Palm Beach International Airports.

Great Host Hotels at Great Rates
The Ft. Lauderdale Marina Marriott is one of the host hotels for Vision Preview 2003 and is located on the intercoastal waterway directly across the street from the Greater Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center at 1950 Eisenhower Boulevard just off the 17th Street Causeway, next to Port Everglades. The Marriott is offering the reduced “Vision Preview “ rate of $99.00 plus tax per night by calling the hotel before September 24, 2003 at 954/463-4000. The Marina Marriott is located at 1881 SE 17th Street.

The other host property, Embassy Suite Hotel, is an all suite hotel that includes in the price a cooked to order breakfast and a complimentary happy hour. Located just 4 short blocks from the Convention Center at 1100 S. E. 17th Street, the hotel is offering the reduced “Vision Preview” rate of $119.00 per night plus tax. Reserve your suite by calling 954/527-2700 before September 24, 2003 for rate availability.

For further information about exhibiting, call 850.201.2622 or email info@pof.org

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"The Professional Opticians of Florida (POF) is dedicated to enhancing the competency of opticians, advancing the profession of opticianry working to resolve the governmental policy issues affecting opticianry and to protecting the health and welfare of the public."