Move. Connect. Belong: Introducing OWA Out & About
What if networking felt less like a name-badge exchange and more like meeting a friend for a walk? That's the idea behind OWA Out & About, the Optical Women's Association's newest member experience—a program of local, wellness-focused meetups designed to bring OWA closer to home.
Beyond the Trade Show Floor
For years, the strongest OWA connections have been forged at Vision Expo, SILMO, and industry conferences. Out & About extends that community into other times of year and corners of the US. These member-led gatherings are built around three simple ideas: community connection (relaxed, in-person bonding that welcomes new faces), wellness activities (pickleball, hiking, biking, yoga, and more, shared through a member-exclusive Wellness Meetup Board), and organizational growth (organic recruitment and low-commitment leadership roles at minimal cost to the OWA).
Best of all, there's a place for everyone regardless of fitness level—whether you're walking a local trail, trying a yoga class, or enjoying a sound bath.
Five Cities, One Weekend: the October Launch
The program launches nationally the first weekend of October, with meetups happening in five regions:
Southern California – Laguna Beach Area Saturday, October 3, 8:00–9:30 AM PST Crystal Cove State Park, Newport Beach, CA A 4.1-mile coastal trail walk with ocean views and about 272 feet of elevation gain
Northern California – Sacramento Saturday, October 3, 9:00–10:30 AM PST Palladio Piazza, Folsom, CA Free yoga in the piazza, then a stroll to the Farmers Market for coffee and conversation
Central New Jersey Saturday, October 3, 9:00–10:30 AM EST Bulls Island State Park, Stockton, NJ A 60-to-90-minute walk along the DNR Towpath, starting at the Delaware River footbridge
New York / New Jersey / Connecticut Saturday, October 3, 10:00–11:30 AM EST Central Park, New York City A sensory nature walk and sound healing, followed by coffee and treats
Greater Seattle Region Sunday, October 4, 3:00–5:30 PM PST Marina Park, Al Locke Pavilion, Kirkland, WA "Permission to Be Seen" — an interactive smartphone photo walk
Registration deadline for all five meetups: Monday, September 28.
A Closer Look at a Few Meetups
The Sacramento gathering is the gentlest on-ramp of the bunch: free yoga in an open piazza, free parking in two onsite garages, air-conditioned public restrooms, and an optional walk to a nearby coffee shop afterward.
The Central New Jersey walk is deliberately placed at a crossroads—an hour from Philadelphia, an hour from New York City, and minutes from Bucks County, PA. Afterward, attendees are encouraged to explore the surrounding river towns (Stockton, Frenchtown, Lambertville, and New Hope) for coffee, lunch, antiquing, or a winery stop.
The Greater Seattle meetup takes a different angle on wellness. "Permission to Be Seen" is an interactive photo walk built to help attendees get comfortable creating and sharing content on LinkedIn and Instagram. Using only smartphones, participants will step both in front of and behind the camera, practice selfies and photos of one another, and challenge themselves to ask someone else to take their picture. The conversation centers on letting go of perfection, getting comfortable being a little silly, and capturing everyday moments worth sharing. No photography or social media expertise required.
What to Know Before You Go
A few practical notes from the event hosts: several meetups encourage attendees to bring colleagues who are curious about joining the OWA, and both the Southern California and Central New Jersey walks invite members to wear their OWA T-shirt. Those two outdoor walks also have a rain date of Sunday, October 4.
Find One Near You
Out & About is about reconnecting with familiar faces, meeting new members of the optical community, and enjoying the relationships that make the OWA special—all while doing something good for yourself. Visit the OWA Out & About page to learn more, then head to the events page to RSVP.
We can't wait to see you out and about!
Comments