Latest News PECAA Includes Staff Members for the First Time at Annual Meeting By Staff Friday, May 23, 2014 12:21 AM SAN ANTONIO— PECAA (Professional Eye Care Associates of America), an alliance of independent optometrists, held its annual meeting here, May 2-4, at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa. Open to staff members for the first time, the organization’s signature event of the year launched its new Optical Merchandising Workshop, a three-day immersion experience for optical staff to learn the importance of branding and how to effectively merchandise their products and practice. Approximately 40 staff members participated in the workshop led by director of membership, Doug Martin, who has over 18 years’ experience in retail, having worked for Neiman Marcus, I Magnin and Macy’s. Overall, 170 PECAA member doctors and staff members attended, a PECAA spokesperson told VMail. “Coming from 15 years in the retail optical environment and working for many big retail optical companies, I will say that this was one of the best training sessions that I have attended!” said Kate Michaux, Goldsmith Eye Care, New Prague, Minn. Other presentation topics included Does Your Optical Deliver On Your Brand?, ICD-10 Training For Optometry, Prescribing For Our New Digital World, Understanding ACO’s & The Impact On Your Future, SuccessTRACK: Taking The Next Steps to Financial Success and Optical Merchandising: Do This, Not That. The meeting also included a one-hour CE course, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Anterior Uveitis Management, presented by PECAA’s director of education, Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO. Attendees had the opportunity to meet with 42 vendor partners in the exhibit hall on Saturday. “We're proud to support PECAA because we believe they share our core values and our vision for the optical industry,” said vendor partner Scott Shapiro, COO, Europa Eyewear. “As a company whose number one priority is to support the independent, Europa strives to partner with organizations that offer tangible resources to independent offices and help them remain competitive in this ever-changing marketplace. After attending this year's annual meeting, it's all the more obvious that PECAA is ‘walking the walk’ when it comes to supporting both their members and their vendors.” Peer-to-peer breakout sessions on Sunday grouped colleagues with similar practice demographics from different regions of the country. The day and event concluded with a roundtable discussion by PECAA’s three founders, Bradley Smith, OD; Lance Anderson, OD; and David Wolf, OD. PECAA’s 2014 Business Symposium will be held Nov. 6 to 9, 2014, at the Westin in Bellevue, Wash., and next year’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for May 14 to 17, 2015, at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch, in Scottsdale, Ariz. PECAA acknowledges event planning firm NKilter and photographer O’Malley Photographers for their contribution. “The Annual Meeting is PECAA’s signature event of the year and is dedicated to providing education and business solutions centered around the group’s mission to promote and protect independent eyecare,” according to a statement from the organization. 1/6 PECAA Annual Meeting: 2014 » PECAA member attendees filled the room for the annual meeting's general session. PECAA Annual Meeting: 2014 » PECAA's annual meeting concluded with a roundtable discussion with founders (L to R) David Wolf, OD; Lance Anderson, OD; Bradley Smith, OD; and COO Chris Millet. PECAA Annual Meeting: 2014 » PECAA annual meeting attendees met with vendor partners in the exhibit hall on Saturday. PECAA Annual Meeting: 2014 » Line dancing during the member appreciation dinner added some fun to the annual event. PECAA Annual Meeting: 2014 » Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO, PECAA's director of education, presented a CE course. PECAA Annual Meeting: 2014 » After attending the new three-day, Optical Merchandising Workshop, staff members competed in a visual merchandising display contest.