SCENE + HEARD: Parties Vision Expo West Sets the Stage for Optical Industry Honors By Staff Thursday, October 10, 2013 3:07 PM RELATED CONTENT 25 Years and Counting—A Look Back at Vision Expo West Party Time at Vision Expo West 2013 With a Nod to the Past, Show Organizers See a Bright Future Show Daily for October 5, 2013 VM’s dba LIVE Event Explores Technological Advances in Optical Retailing Show Daily for October 4, 2013 Vision Expo West Gets the 'Party' Started Show Daily Shots for Oct. 2: CE Program, Booth Setup, Special Events Show Daily for October 3, 2013 Robust Continuing Education Program Continues to Deliver LAS VEGAS—With the bright lights of Las Vegas as a vibrant backdrop, the optical community took time out from their busy Expo schedules to honor individuals who have made significant and long lasting contributions to the industry. On Oct. 2, the Optical Lab Division honored eight industry veterans who were recognized during the Directors’ Choice Award and 14th Annual Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame banquet held here at The Venetian Resort-Hotel-Casino. The Optical Lab Division named Barney Dougher, president of Hoya Vision Care, North America, the recipient of the 2013 Directors’ Choice Award. The Directors’ Choice Award was established in 1987 under the Optical Laboratories Association, now the Optical Lab Division of The Vision Council, to honor individuals and companies that have made outstanding contributions to the ophthalmic industry. Now in its 27th year, the award is still recognized as one of the most prestigious honors in the industry. Dougher was recognized alongside this year’s Optical Pioneers Hall of Fame honorees at the Hall of Fame banquet. 2013 Optical Pioneer Hall of Fame Inductees included: Richard Cherry, president of RD Cherry Optical, Inc. (Cherry Optical) Jonathan Jacobs, president of Superior Optical, Inc. Andrew Karp, group editor with Jobson Optical Group James McLean, former owner of Dietz-McLean Optical (retired) David Rips, president of Younger Optics Joseph Santinelli, founder and CEO of Santinelli International Robert Shanbaum, president of Ocuco, Inc. Labapalooza, one of the lab industry’s most anticipated parties of the year took place here on Oct. 3 at the Venetian Hotel. The annual get together paid tribute to wholesale laboratories and highlights included the much anticipated Vision Monday’s Top Labs Report and LabTalk’s Website of the Year Awards. This year’s party sported a new location—Rockhouse Las Vegas— featuring a Country & Western atmosphere complete with a mechanical riding bull. Labapalooza was presented by Vision Monday and LabTalk, and the Optical Lab Division of The Vision Council, was sponsored by Title Sponsor, Schneider Optical Machines; Ultra Sponsors, iCoat, Digital Vision, FlexLink, Transitions, Salem Vision Group, X-Cel Optical; Premium Sponsors, Coburn Technologies, Essilor IDD, Optical Lab Software Solutions, Santinelli International and Ultra Optics. Optical Lab Division Hall of Fame » Virginia "Susie" Lesher, Optical Lab Division Chairperson, presents Hoya Vision Care's Barney Dougher with the Directors' Choice Award. Optical Lab Division Hall of Fame » The Vision Council's Mike Daley (l) presents Cherry Optical's Richard Cherry with his award. Optical Lab Division Hall of Fame » Jonathan Jacobs, Superior Optical, Inc. receives his award from Lesher. Optical Lab Division Hall of Fame » Jobson Optical Group's Andrew Karp (l) receives his honor from Jobson's Marge Axelrad. Optical Lab Division Hall of Fame » James McLean (l), former owner of Dietz-McLean Optical, receives his honor from son Drake. Optical Lab Division Hall of Fame » Younger Optics' Tom Balch (l) presents Younger's David Rips with his honor. Optical Lab Division Hall of Fame » Santinelli International's Joseph Santinelli (l) receives his award from son Gerard. Optical Lab Division Hall of Fame » Ocuco's Robert Shanbaum (r) is presented with his honor from Hoya's Rick Tinson. Labapalooza Rides Into Town » Optical lab personal gathered for the announcing of the top ten optical laboratory Websites during Labapalooza. Labapalooza Rides Into Town » Kurt Atchison (l), Schneider, congratulates Bill Heffner, FEA Industries, a top ten optical laboratory Website winner. Labapalooza Rides Into Town » Warren Meyer (l), VSP, catches up with Gunter Schneider of Schneider, a Labapalooza sponsor. Labapalooza Rides Into Town » (L to R) Mark Geherin, Eyenavision, Dave Cole, Transitions Optical, and Craig Giles, Soderberg, enjoy Labapalooza. Labapalooza Rides Into Town » Greg Ruden (l), Expert Optics and Brian Hauser, Transitions, await their turn to ride the mechanical bull...NOT! Labapalooza Rides Into Town » (L to R) The Soderberg group hangs out with friends from Schneider: Pat McCarthyu and Dan Samuelson, Schneider and Sue Ebner, Jim Menard, John Barry and Kristin Miller. Labapalooza Rides Into Town » The Cotran brothers, Robert (l) and Ronald (r) of U.S. Optical, enjoy Labapalooza with Larry Clarke, Satisloh, and Ronald's wife Rola. Labapalooza Rides Into Town » This brave soul actually rode the mechanic bull and lived to tell the tale.