In 2022 we decided to discontinue our quarterly newsletters. You can now find the latest up-to-date articles and updates on the OWA Connects Blog. To see links to all of the newsletters listed below, you can either login as a member or join OWA now.
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OWA Events
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OWA Networking Reception and Raffle Event at Vision Expo West
Lorie L. Lippiatt, OD, Professional Development Fund Committee Chair
The Annual Networking and Raffle Event will take place on the Red Carpet. Be sure to check out many of the fabulous raffle items given by our generous Professional Development Sponsors!
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Oh What a Night! The 2017 Star Awards Ceremony
Brandie Shaw, Communications Committee Vice Chair
The annual Star Awards Ceremony is a favorite among OWA members. And this year's event did not disappoint!
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OWA Champagne Breakfast Honorees Talk Mentoring & Giving Back
Carrie Chambers, Communications Committee Member
Photos by Susan Tarrant
What better way to start off a days-long industry conference than with inspiration, camaraderie, and champagne? All three were flowing at the OWA Champagne Breakfast, held Thursday, March 30 at the trendy Hotel Eventi in Midtown Manhattan.
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How to Make the Most of Vision Expo East
Brandie Shaw, OWA Communications Committee Vice Chair
Every year thousands of vendors and tens of thousands of eye care professionals come together in New York City in March for Vision Expo East; one of the biggest Optical trade shows in the world. It's a great opportunity to learn about new products, get your continuing education credits and meet others in our industry. In order to make the most of your visit, take some time now to decide what is most important to you.
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OWA Takes a Bite Out of NYC!
Two fabulous events on tap during Vision Expo East
Susan Tarrant, OWA Communications Committee Member
The Optical Women's Association knows how to throw a party . . . and network with peers . . . and honor women who made great contributions to our industry. We'll be doing all of that in two special events held in conjunction with International Vision Expo East in New York City.
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2016 Vision Expo West Photo Album
Take a look at the two albums for Girl Bosses: Optical Industry Entrepreneurs and the Networking Reception and Raffle.
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Red Carpet Networking and Raffle Event
Brandie Shaw
With all the many events, seminars, and mixers at Vision Expo, it's easy to go into overload and be tempted to skip a few after a long day in heels. The Red Carpet networking event is definitely not one to miss!
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New Champagne Breakfast Event at Vision Expo East
Going back to our roots, the Optical Women's Association has created a new event — the OWA Champagne Breakfast — to honor women leaders. The OWA Champagne Breakfast is in addition to, not replacing the traditional Friday night celebration and networking event. The Thursday morning Champagne Breakfast, hosted by Luxottica, will give attendees the opportunity to hear short presentations from our 2015 honorees and raise a glass in their honor, while also enjoying insights from our keynote speaker, Holly Rush.
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OWA Connection Series: Join Us for a Live Stream of Girl Bosses: Optical Industry Entrepreneurs
Jenn Jackson, Program Committee Co-Chair
The OWA is excited to announce that we will be live streaming the Connection Series event Girl Bosses: Optical Industry Entrepreneurs at Vision Expo West. What's so great is that OWA members who aren't attending Vision Expo West can absolutely join us and benefit from this event through live streaming via the free Periscope app!
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Regional Networking Events
Brandie Shaw & Ashley Mills
Not all of us get to attend Expo, and attend the networking events held during the shows so, this spring the Program committee out did themselves by offering three regional events to give our local members an opportunity to get together.
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OWA Connection Series Event at Vision Expo West — Girl Bosses: Optical Industry Entrepreneurs
Tiara Claxton, Program Committee Co-Chair
If you've ever thought of being your own "Girl Boss", this OWA Connection Series event in Las Vegas is a must-attend. Even if you are not your own girl boss, you'll walk away with valuable insights that will inspire, inform and educate anyone in business, whether for themselves or others.
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Raising a Glass to Champagne Breakfast Keynote Speaker, Sherianne James
Carrie Chambers, Communications Committee Member
An intimate conversation with Sherianne James of Transitions Optical will be featured at this year's OWA Champagne Breakfast, facilitated by Christie Walker, Editor of LabTalk. The conversation and Q&A session will offer breakfast participants an opportunity to discuss challenges and successes, and to leave the breakfast feeling inspired and energized.
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OWA Presents Annual VEW Networking & Raffle Event!
Enjoy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails while networking with friends and entering raffle tickets for designer items, sports gear, gift certificates, and much more!
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Why Do THEY Think That Way?
Generational differences can cause conflict and misunderstandings in the workplace because generations DO speak a different language, based on when they grew up and the different cultural events and experiences happening at that time. This year's OWA Connection Series event, Getting Four Generations to Work Together, brings together six panelists from the four generations in the workplace today to tackle common "sticking points" that arise.
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Save These Dates!
Vision Expo West will be here before you know it. The OWA has two exciting events planned for our members and their guests. Add these dates to your calendar and register today!
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Star Awards Presented at the Calvin Klein Collection Flagship Store
Karen A. Michaelson (ABOC), Mentoring Committee
The Calvin Klein Collection's flagship location on Madison Avenue was the perfect setting for presenting the annual star awards including the Pleiades and Pyxis awards. The vibrant and enchanting evening was filled with cocktails, networking, and even a bit of shopping, with well over one hundred members, supporters, and guests in attendance. The unique venue was elegant, fresh, and full of laughter as new ideas and relationships blossomed.
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First Annual Champagne Breakfast is a Success
Karen A. Michaelson (ABOC), Mentoring Committee
The Optical Women's Association kicked off Vision Expo East 2015 with their first annual Champagne Breakfast honoring women leaders. The sold out event was the perfect way to celebrate the accomplishments of our two star award honorees, Maureen Cavanagh and Amy Spiezio, and then wrap it all up with an intimate conversation with industry leader Holly Rush from Luxottica.
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Girl Bosses Recap: Aim for Crazy
Jessica Elizalde
If you have ever thought about starting your own business, or wanted to get ahead in your career, this year's OWA Connection Series was definitely one to attend. "Girl Bosses: Optical Industry Entrepreneurs" was inspired by the unorthodox Business Book #Girlboss by Sophia Amoruso.
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OWA Connection Series: 5 Top Takeaways
Courtney Myers, OWA Communications Committee
Joann S. Lublin, long-time career columnist for The Wall Street Journal and author of Earning It: Hard-Won Lessons from Trailblazing Women at the Top of the Business World, shared her career advice during the OWA Connection Series Event, held at Vision Expo West and sponsored by ABB Optical. Here are 5 key takeaways from this popular, well-attended event.
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OWA Networking + Raffle Event!
Yvette Carranza (Digital Vision, Inc.)
Looking for an event that's fun and inspiring with a chance to win exciting prizes? Join the Optical Women's Association for their annual Networking, Raffle, and Auction event!
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OWA Connection Series Inspires Leadership
Courtney Myers (SVP, Havas Red PR)
This year's Connection Series event features Kimberly Davis, author of the award-winning "Brave Leadership: Unleash Your Most Confident, Authentic, and Powerful Self to Get the Results You Need."
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OWA Top Social Posts from Vision Expo East
Do You Follow the OWA on Social Media? Check out our top Vision Expo East posts.
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OWA Sets Records at Vision Expo East!
Pam Gibson (President, Pam Gibson Coaching & Consulting) and Susan Tarrant (Managing Editor, Eyecare Business)
Photo Highlights of Vision Expo East
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Do You Follow the OWA on Social Media?
Here's where to find us . . . .
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Regional Events Central: The OWA In Pictures
Courtney Myers
OWA was on the road in 2018 hosting more regional events across the country than ever before . . . check out our photo collage highlights.
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Happy New Year, OWA and Optical Professionals!
Tiara Claxton
This year, the OWA is celebrating 22 years of Connecting, Inspiring, and Leading the women in optical. It is with great pleasure that I announce our 2019 OWA award honorees . . . .
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"Emotional Intelligence (EQ)" Connection Series Event, Vision Expo West
Courtney Myers
We see upper echelon leaders using emotional intelligence techniques on a day-to-day basis that separate great companies from good ones. These techniques can even change professional careers and personal relationships forever. If you want to step ahead of the pack and bring your social skills to new heights, you will want to incorporate these four very important characteristics into your day-to-day activities. It will change your life!
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OWA Networking Event Breaks Records!
Susan Tarrant, OWA Communications Committee
The OWA packed the room at its annual Networking and Raffle fundraiser event, held on Friday, Sept. 28, during Vision Expo West. A record-breaking crowd enjoyed good food, drink, and camaraderie, but the stars of the evening were the more than $35,000 in goods that were donated for the annual raffle and first-time online auction.
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You're Invited to our annual Red Carpet Networking and Raffle Event! #OWA20YEARS
Susan Tarrant, OWA Communications Committee
We're excited for you to join us for a fun night at the OWA's one and only annual fundraising event, with complimentary hosted cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. It's our annual Red Carpet Networking and Raffle Event at International Vision Expo West on Friday, September 15. There are giveaways for new members, a new silent auction area paired with the always popular and fun raffle, and nearly $20,000 in donations from the OWA's generous corporate sponsors and other friends of our organization.
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Vision Expo East 2018: Show Recap
Jessica Lutz + Brandie Shaw, Communications Committee
Held in New York City March 16-18, the 32nd annual Vision Expo East revealed a host of fresh additions to it's already successful format. This included a new look, new lounges with complimentary refreshments, 192 new exhibitors (out of a total of 715), and new exciting education formats.
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Star Award Event Honors 3 of Our Own
Susan Tarrant, Communications Committee
The annual OWA Star Award Cocktail Party & Networking Event welcomed members and supporters to the fantastic second floor at the Eventi Hotel during Vision Expo East to enjoy great food, a slick jazz combo, and introduce the new honorees' "Charity of Choice" program.
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Champagne + Inspiration
Shadetra Johnson, Communications Committee
The OWA celebrated three remarkable women and their impact on the optical industry on March 16 during Vision Expo East at the OWA Champagne Breakfast. Held at the Espace event venue in New York City, the OWA pink-inspired room was brimming with optical industry leaders, admiration, and champagne.
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OWA shines its light with regional networking events!
Yvette Carranza, Lorie Lippiatt, Dawn Acorn, and Lorinda Fraboni
In 2017, the OWA launched the series of regional networking events in five locations: Dallas, New York, Minneapolis, Alexandria and San Diego. Since the launch of the program, the OWA continues to add new regions. The latest locations are LA, hosted by Tiara Claxton, Minneapolis, MN, hosted by Lorinda Fraboni and Columbus, OH, hosted by Stacey Curcio. Keep an eye on the OWA calendar for the next regional event close to you, and invite your friends to get connected and inspired!
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Networking Reception and Raffle Event — Attendees Treated to Fun, Fellowship, and Prizes
Shadetra Johnson
The Vegas casino floor could not hold a candle to the fun spirit at the OWA Reception and Raffle event during Vision Expo West!
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OWA "Emotional Intelligence (EQ)" Connection Series Event: EQ Panel Shows How Understanding Emotions Can Help You Succeed
Courtney Myers
The highly anticipated panel on Emotional Intelligence (or EQ) delivered advice on how EQ has real, tangible results in the workplace. According to Travis Bradberry, Ph.D., author of the #1 best-selling book Emotional Intelligence 2.0, EQ is the "other kind of smart".
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OWA Regional Events Are a Hit!
Angela Gerber (Marketing Manager, Liberty Sport)
2019 has been an exciting year for connecting OWA members across the U.S. From New York to San Diego, OWA Regional Events have been on the rise with eight so far — including two "firsts" in Denver + Calgary.
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How We Can All #DoMore? A Q & A with Holly Rush
Jennifer Sommer, OWA Communications Committee
"We can impact powerful, positive change through our connections with other people", says Holly Rush, CEO of Costa Del Mar and the energy behind the #DoMore movement the Optical Women's Association launched earlier this year. "Timing is everything," says Rush, "and the awareness that's been created in the world around us today on diversity, inclusion, and women's rights in the workplace means Our Time is Now." Here, Rush shares with the OWA what she hopes others take away from the #DoMore message.
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