IDOC's Dave Brown (l) with keynote
speaker Billie Beane.

NORWALK, Conn.—This year’s IDOC National Conference, The Connection 2020, with an emphasis on business data and analytics, attracted over 725 IDOC members, sponsor representatives, and other industry professionals from across the country, the largest gathering in IDOC’s 20-year history, the company said. As a leading optometric alliance, IDOC provides customized business and practice services to over 3,000 optometrists. The prevailing theme for this year’s conference was the growing importance of metrics as a vital practice management tool and a key differentiator in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

“Private optometric practices that use data and analytics will inevitably make faster, better business decisions than those that don’t,” said Nathan Hayes, IDOC practice finance consultant. “That’s why IDOC continues to add metrics-based tools like IDOC Insider, a proven way to give our members a clear picture of their practice performance.” Over the past 12 months, IDOC has also expanded programs focused on human resources and staffing, marketing consulting and business transition, developments that generated widespread interest among members attending the event.

Legendary Oakland A’s general manager, Billy Beane, was the perfect opening keynote speaker setting the theme of the meeting and emphasizing the importance of data and analytics, pointing to his “Moneyball” baseball experience as proof that expertly applied metrics can result in greater levels of insight and success.

Education, as always, was a key component of the conference with a new agenda that emphasized the role of staff in driving practice success. “Our members consistently report that their staff are their #1 asset,” said Ilana Thombs, IDOC manager, events and professional affairs. “We listened to that and developed dedicated education for multiple staff roles in the practice.” The agenda included 50+ hours of CE in specified tracks for ODs, opticians, office managers, optometric techs and billers.


IDOC's National Conference, The Connection 2020, attracted more than 725 members.

Attendees also found the event’s interactive Roundtables of particular value, a source of collaboration and knowledge that attracted ODs and staff members. “We continue to offer these opportunities to our members because doctors have realized how much value there is in sharing ideas and strategies with their peers,” said Dave Brown, IDOC president and CEO. “When we survey our conference attendees, it’s consistently one of the highest rated activities.”

Moving forward, to continue offering high quality educational opportunities throughout the year, IDOC is partnering with GPN Technologies to present the EYEThrive webinar series, in addition to conducting their ongoing, long-standing local Study Group meetings.

Sharon Carter, from Eye Care Optometric Consulting, delivered a lively presentation, “Building an Unbeatable Team,” that explored best practices for hiring, managing and rewarding practice staff—all key advisory elements that are included in the HR consulting within IDOC memberships.

Next year, the CONNECTION conference will move to a new location designed for a growing number of attendees and expanded event features. Scheduled for Feb. 10 to 13, 2021 at the Hilton Orlando in Orlando, Fla., the conference will continue to offer role-based education, sponsor exhibits and networking along with family-friendly features that include complimentary child care, negotiated room rates and entertainment near Universal Studios, City Walk and ICON Park.