Jan. 25, 2024 — The Vision Council (TVC)’s Executive Summit wrapped up three days of networking, leadership development, and industry-shaping discussions in Naples, FL, from Jan. 22-24.
More than 300 eyecare professionals gathered for a robust schedule of programming (listed below) that covered topics such as emerging business trends and strategies to tackle the evolving challenges of the industry and economy. Click through the links to watch Eyecare Business editor-in-chief Erinn Morgan discuss these topics further with each thought leader—broadcasted live from the event—and visit EB on Facebook or LinkedIn to catch up with the action.
- The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness president and the Valuable 500 founder Caroline Casey presented “The Value of Vision,” sharing her experience with ocular albinism and her efforts to bring disability, specifically blindness, to the forefront of the Davos World Economic Forum.
- Tomorrow CEO Mike Walsh presented “The AI-Powered Organization,” a discussion of the implications of artificial intelligence (AI), the urgency for businesses to adapt to computational decision-making, and strategies to reimagine optical businesses in the face of advancing technology.
- Alan Amling, Ph.D., CEO of Thrive and Advance LLC, assistant professor of practice at the University of Tennessee, presented “Playing to Win in the Age of Uncertainty and Overload” to discuss the digital transformation of the supply chain process and how to harness digital disruption for success.
- For the second year in a row, Johnny C. Taylor Jr., president and CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management, shared his thoughts in a presentation called, “The Future of Work: Leadership’s Role in Averting the Skills Gap Crises.” The discussion included variables impacting the modern workforce—such as AI; skills building; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and remote versus in-office work—within the context of the optical industry.
- Economist and CEO of ITR Economics Brian Beaulieu shared a fiscal perspective for the future, including strategies attendees can implement to prepare their business and personal finances in 2024 and beyond. (For more from Beaulieu, see the 2024 Economic Outlook for ECPs in a recent issue of EB.)
Beyond the presentations, attendees had opportunities to dive deeper into their areas of interest through topical breakout sessions, committee meetings, and networking activities. A general session panel explored the emerging landscape of telehealth services, including an update from TVC’s research team regarding its latest report. The TVC Government and Regulatory Affairs team also provided an update on pertinent political development and the latest initiatives of VisionPAC.
Additionally, TVC’s annual business meeting took place Jan. 23 to confirm the 2024 board of directors, including the approval of the following officers to serve an additional term: Scott Shapiro, Europa Eyewear, as chair; Jamie Rosin, Rosin Eyecare, as vice chair; Karen Roberts, Carl Zeiss Vision, as immediate past chair; and Ross Brownlee, Hilco Vision, as secretary/treasurer.
"The 2024 Executive Summit has exemplified a vibrant synergy of learning and collaboration, drawing immense industry participation and engagement," says TVC CEO Ashley Mills. "In line with The Vision Council’s strategic priorities for 2024, we will continue to foster opportunities for mutual learning, idea exchange, and relationship building."