Four optical industry speakers, including Brian Chou, OD, FAAO, a prominent independent optometrist, will present their perspectives about how “Technology Reinvents the Retail Experience” at the upcoming new, Vision Monday’s dba LIVE conference, a two-hour event to be held in Las Vegas from 4 pm-6 pm on Oct. 2, 2013, just prior to the start of International Vision Expo West (Oct. 3-5).
>>CLICK HERE to REGISTER>>
Dr. Chou will be featured as a headlining speaker. An ophthalmic industry consultant, Dr. Chou is a graduate of UC Berkeley School of Optometry. He completed fellowship training at Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine, in the cornea and external disease division. He has over 75 published manuscripts including book chapters on keratoconus, cataracts and laser vision correction. Dr. Chou received the Nuemueller Award in Optics from the American Academy of Optometry, and serves on the editorial review board for Review of Optometry and the editorial board for Review of Cornea & Contact Lenses. He is a consultant to several ophthalmic companies and is an expert witness for medicolegal cases.
The other three speakers will each address different aspects of how technology is enhancing the customer experience. Barbara Barclay, general manager, Tobii Technology North America, a leading provider of eye tracking technology, will discuss the latest developments in Tobii’s mobile eye tracking. The company’s new technology and design enables unobtrusive, time-efficient and accurate mobile eye tracking studies in real-world retail environments, according to Tobii.
Speaking about the interaction of digital and traditional retail will be Joe Pflanz, senior director, omni-channel customer experience at LensCrafters. In his 12 years with Luxottica, Pflanz has worked on various brands and in various roles focused on marketing, digital and customer-centricity. He has led the launch/re-launch of 10 web sites and countless digital customer experiences earning recognition and awards from many organizations. Last year, Pflanz led the formulation of an omni-channel customer experience department for LensCrafters, which he currently heads. The omni-channel team is responsible for all of LensCrafters web sites, digital advertising, social media and the convergence of experiences across channels.
Also talking about the potential of transforming the optical retail experience will be John Bonizio, owner and president of Metro Optics, Bronx, NY. A licensed optician, with degrees in computer science, business management and economics, Bonizio joined Metro in 1992 and helped to build it into a prominent New York regional optical retailer. Bonizio is planning the 2014 launch of an exciting new flagship location which will house a range of boutique and electronic eyewear and a state of-the-art exam facility in a center next to the new Trump Golf Center in the Bronx.
“Innovation in the retail setting is being defined by new technologies. Consumers interact with these in new ways and they add drama to what’s traditionally been defined as the ‘retail’ or ‘patient’ experience,” explains Marge Axelrad, SVP/editorial director of VM. “This event will target the key senior-level decision makers in our business by looking at which new technologies are engaging consumers and patients to reinvent their experience in brick- and-mortar stores. Leading innovators will share their own new concepts and tactics.”
The premier sponsor of the first VM dba LIVE is Adlens.
Registration, at $95, for “Technology Reinvents the Retail Experience” is open by going to http://jobson.cvent.com/d/3cqy7q/4W. Seating is limited.
One of VM’s newest e-news vehicles, dba covers essential information about how leading optical retailers are running their businesses across the country in regional and local markets.
