Vision Expo West
September 27-30, 2023
The Venetian Expo | Las Vegas, NV
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OptiCon @ Vision Expo

Unlock a world of knowledge and growth with the OptiCon @ Vision Expo education package. Dive into six key areas of education, including optical technology, allied health, contact lens, practice management and business solutions, and ABO and NCLE basic, advanced, and practical exam review courses. Designed to empower Opticians, Contact Lens Professionals, Allied Ophthalmic Professionals, Optical Assistants and Office Managers, Frame Buyers, and Lab Technicians, this comprehensive education package is your gateway to professional advancement and success.

  • Unlimited Continuing Education Courses, including ABO & NCLE approved education and OptiCon General Session
  • Free Exhibit Hall access, including the OptiCon @ Vision Expo Hub
  • Tailored special events including a welcome event and peer networking
  • Access to ABO & NCLE exam review courses
  • Access to discounted rates at a dedicated OptiCon @ Vision Expo hotel
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OptiCon Advisory Board

Phernell Walker, MBA, ABOM, NCLEC
OAB Co-Chair, Pure Optics, LLC

Tina Palumbo
OAB Co-Chair, ABO-NCLE Board Public Member, Foerster & Hayes LTD

Curt Duff, ABOM, NCLEM
Owner, Tinder-Krauss-Tinder
ABO Board Chair

Janet Acara, ABOC, NCLEM
Erie Community College

Tom Barracato, ABOC, NCLEC
Owner, Adolph Optical

Sandra K. Brown, ABOM, NCLEC
                    NCLE Board Chair                   VisionWorks

Ledonna Buckner, ABOC, NCLEM
CooperVision Specialty EyeCare

Deedee Finisecy, ABOM
Wagner Opticians

Carri L. Russell, NCLEM
NCLE Immediate Past Chair
Bausch Health Specialty Vision Products

Lanard C. Atkins, ABOC, NCLEC
Owner, Timeless EYEdentity

OptiCon General Session: Rebecca Alexander

Sponsored by:

OptiCon @ Vision Expo West General Session
Thursday, September 28, 12:30pm, Innovation Stage
A Conversation with Rebecca Alexander, LCSW-R, MPH

Imagine your life without sight and sound. How would you live your life differently if you knew that soon you would no longer be able to see or hear? Rebecca Alexander has been simultaneously losing both her vision and hearing since she was an adolescent. Born with a rare genetic disorder called Usher syndrome (type 3), Rebecca was told that by age 30, she’d be completely blind. Then, at 19, one year after a fall from a second-story window left her body completely shattered, she discovered she would lose her hearing as well. Despite these obstacles, Rebecca refuses to lose her drive and zest for life and rises above and beyond every challenge she faces.

“BREATHE IN PEACE, BREATHE OUT FEAR”. This is Rebecca’s mantra as she deals with everything life has thrown at her.

Join us on Thursday afternoon as Blair Wong, ABOM, NCLEC discusses with Rebecca her accomplishments, challenges and the encouragement and inspiration that Rebecca gives to others who are facing their own challenges. Rebecca Alexander is an author, psychotherapist, group fitness, yoga, and meditation instructor, advocate, and extreme athlete who was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, and currently lives in New York City.

Rebecca’s critically acclaimed memoir, Not Fade Away: A Memoir of Senses Lost and Found received an Indie Book Award and was honored as one of the MS Society’s Books for A Better Life. Not Fade Away will be the subject of a major motion picture produced by Annapurna Pictures and John Krasinski, directed by David O’Russell, and screenplay by award-winning playwright Lindsey Ferrentino.

Immediately following our session, Rebecca will be available in the OptiCon hub to autograph copies of her book and answer any questions you may have about her journey and how she continues to live every day to the fullest.

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