March 2020
pride power progress
Your Voice (in scripted font)
Laurie Pierce, Licensed Optician, Florida
I'm a licensed optician in the state of Florida. I just attended the OAA Leadership Conference, and you absolutely MUST join the OAA. They work for us!
Join Laurie and hundreds of other opticians across the country in unifying our voice for positive change.
Join the OAA
OAA Leadership 2020 - Quick Recap
Students and Apprentices - Leadership 2020
“Inspirational, Life-Changing, Motivating, Magical”
More Than A Conference
by Charlotte Miller
(shown above 4th from right)

" More than twenty opticianry students and apprentices from all over the country, including myself, received travel stipends to attend the OAA State Leadership Conference in Florida this year. The Conference was more than "a conference" for us; it was a transformative opportunity to connect with leaders from diverse backgrounds who share the passion of helping people see.

Many of us students were nervous in anticipation of the conference. I don’t know about you, but flying to another state to meet with hundreds of new people is out of my comfort zone! Many students had to say goodbye to their children; and for some, it was their first time ever flying. But upon arrival…

READ MORE about Charlotte's experience at Leadership 2020.
2020 OAA Election Results
OAA Logo
2020 Opticians Association of America
Officers and Directors

President: Dibby Bartlett
1st Vice President: Johnna Dukes
2nd Vice President: Ron Harbert
Secretary/Treasurer: Russel Fritz, Jr.
OAA Board of Directors

Representing Firm Membership: Tom Barracato
Representing Firm Membership: George Bourque
Representing Individual Membership: Lanard Atkins
Representing Individual Membership: Donna Hatch
Representing State Membership: Sue Shire
Representing State Membership: John Bruening
At-Large Seat: Doug Pelkey
At-Large Seat: David Couch
Representative Student/Apprentice: Evan Wong
Congratulations
OAA State Leader of the Year
Congratulations, Johnna Dukes!

The Opticians Association of America's State Leader of the Year Award is the highest honor and the most prestigious award our association can bestow upon any individual. The award is given annually to an individual who has displayed extraordinary and outstanding service to their home state, the Opticians Association of America and the profession of opticianry.
Johnna has been working with the Branding Committee since it's inception; has served in a significant role in the resurgence of the Opticians Guild of America; continues to promote the importance of the independent optical shop, guides the Opticians Association of America on a national level, pushes the OAA to new heights with unique and innovative ideas and concepts, and serves as a great example of how people should lead both on the national and state level.
Thank you Johnna for all you do, we are stronger and better because of it!
State Assoc (54.6%), Online (19%), Magazine (10.2%), Opticon (7.4%), Other (4.6%), Ind. Seminars (4.2%)
March 26-29 Javits Center, New York, NY
Stop by the OAA Booth at the Opticon Hub for a Special Gift!
MAR

SAT. 14
Opticians Association of Michigan
CE Workshop/Spring Educational
(Crowne Plaza, Lansing)

WED. 18
New Hampshire Society of Opticians
Quarterly Meeting
(Red Blazer on Manchester, Concord)
Registration @ 6PM / Event @ 7PM

THU. 26 — SUN. 29
The complete event for ophthalmic professionals, where eyecare meets eyewear and education, fashion and innovation mingle. Join over 15,000 eyecare professionals, buyers and influencers at the largest optical event in America.

Javits Center, New York, NY

SAT. 28
Opticians Association of Iowa
Spring Educational Conference
Prairie Meadows Casino, Altoona
7:30A - 5:00P
[Live registration @ 7:30A]

APR

SUN. 5
North Carolina Opticians Association
Raleigh Seminars
(Research Triangle Park - Sheraton Imperial Hotel)
Available CE Hours: 8

SUN. 19
New Hampshire Society of Opticians
Annual Educational Conference
(Graponne Conference Center, Concord)

SAT. 18 — SUN. 19
Opticians Association of Washington
Spring Convention (Olympia)

SAT. 18 — SUN. 19
Opticians Association of Ohio
Central Region Professional Development
(Renaissance Hotel, Westerville)

FRI. 24 — SAT. 25

Opticians Association of Oregon
Conference
(Chanook Winds Casino, Lincoln City)

FRI. 24 — SUN. 26
Mississippi Association of Dispensing Opticians
Educational Conference
(Golden Nugget Hotel, Biloxi,)

SUN. 26
North Carolina Opticians Association
Charlotte Seminars
(Charlotte Sheraton Airport Hotel)
Available CE Hours: 8

SUN. 26
Certified Opticians Association of Texas
ABO Prep Course ("No Pass...No Pay")
(Houston)
9:00A - 5:00P

TUE. 28
Certified Opticians Association of Texas
Cherry Optical / Hands-on Workshop
(Dallas)

WED. 29 
C ertified Opticians Association of Texas
Cherry Optical / Hands-on Workshop
(Austin)

MAY


FRI. 1 — SUN. 3
South Carolina Association of Opticians
Spring Fling 2020
(Ocean Creek Resort, North Myrtle)

SAT. 2
South Carolina Association of Opticians
Spring Education Hours
(Ocean Creek Resort, North Myrtle)

SUN. 3
Opticians Association of Massachusetts
Spring Education Conference
(Doubletree Hotel, Westborough)

SAT. 16
OAA / HOYA
First Education Day
(Boise, Idaho)
Support the Partners Who Support You!


Friday, March 27, 2020
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM

Join your Optical colleagues in The Bridge for this exclusive event. Each pre-registered attendee of this session will receive a copy of Delilah’s latest book, One Heart at a Time .

* This special appearance is sponsored by Essilor, Eyes of Faith Optical and the Essilor Vision Foundation. 
Our Valued Partners 2020