PECAA founder, Lance Anderson, OD, (c) with Longview Eye & Vision’s Jeff Tack, OD, and Terry Tack, OD, both PECAA members from Longview, Wash.   Members Steve Dobson, OD, (l) of Dimond Vision Clinic in Anchorage, Alaska, and Dan Mannen, OD, FAAO, of Family Vision of Oregon in St. Helen’s, Ore.
SUNRIVER, Ore.—Professional Eye Care Associates of America (PECAA) hosted a record number of attendees at its 2012 annual meeting held here, June 8 to 10. Close to 250 members participated, almost double the 125 who attended last year. On Friday, June 8, Carl Zeiss Vision sponsored the annual golf tournament, in which nearly 100 golfers competed.

Reflecting the “Empowering Your Business” theme, presentations focused on business solutions and the tools needed to build a successful business. Speakers presented on marketing and social media strategy, building a profitable sunglass center, developing frame board management and how to best use PECAA’s programs to benefit the practice. A PECAA Member Roundtable Discussion consisted of an open forum in which doctors asked questions, shared ideas and recounted experiences with their colleagues.

“What a great annual meeting! We learned so much that will help our practice,” said Doug Martin, COO, Lanter Eye-care, Indianapolis, Ind. “We can’t wait until the Business Symposium in November.”

The 2012 PECAA Business Symposium will be held Nov. 2 to 4, 2012, at The Hyatt at Olive 8 in Seattle. PECAA currently has members in 15 states as the group continues to expand.

“This was my first PECAA meeting, and I was amazed at the friendliness and unity of PECAA members,” said Zack Steele, OD, Trussville Vision, Trussville, Ala. “I think groups like PECAA are the key to the success of independent optometry.” ■