MULTIMEDIA The NYC Party Scene at Vision Expo East 2019 By Staff Thursday, March 28, 2019 11:44 AM NEW YORK—From recognizing men and women as major players in optical to celebrating company partnerships and products, New York City was a busy place to be during Vision Expo East’s nighttime festivities. Here’s a slideshow of some of the major parties that took place around town the week of March 18. Look for more Vision Expo East photos coming soon on VisionMonday.com. To read all of the Digital Editions of the Show Dailies, go to the Issue Archives page on VisionMonday.com. 1/65 OWA Membership on the Rise as the Group Honors 3 Leaders at NY Champagne Breakfast Membership is tracking significantly upward as the Optical Women’s Association (OWA) approaches nearly 1,000 members and Professional Development Fund support reaches new levels. A huge crowd filled the Edison Ballroom at this year’s OWA Champagne Breakfast presented by Luxottica, an OWA Platinum sponsor, as the organization honored three deserving women at its annual Star Award Ceremony. OWA Membership on the Rise as the Group Honors 3 Leaders at NY Champagne Breakfast OWA’s 2019 honorees included Costa Sunglasses’ Holly Rush honored with the Pleiades Award, MyEyeDr.’s Laura Lewis, VP of HR with the group’s Pyxis Award and De Rigo REM’s Jessica Goebert with OWA’s Emerging Leader Awards. Here are the three with Thelios’ Tiara Claxton, OWA president. OWA Membership on the Rise as the Group Honors 3 Leaders at NY Champagne Breakfast The breakfast featured a special interview conducted by MyEyeDr.’s CEO, Sue Downes, right (an OWA board member) with Kathleen Taylor, chair of the board of the Royal Bank of Canada and former president and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. OWA Membership on the Rise as the Group Honors 3 Leaders at NY Champagne Breakfast The breakfast featured a special interview conducted by MyEyeDr.’s CEO, Sue Downes, right (an OWA board member) with Kathleen Taylor, chair of the board of the Royal Bank of Canada and former president and CEO of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. OWA Membership on the Rise as the Group Honors 3 Leaders at NY Champagne Breakfast (L to R) Maureen Cavanagh, Essilor, enjoys the program with HEA’s Laura Dorris and Thelios’ Tiara Claxton OWA Membership on the Rise as the Group Honors 3 Leaders at NY Champagne Breakfast The OWA ended its morning program with a rousing surprise performance from a gospel choir. Opti-Port’s Annual Welcome Reception At the Opti-Port reception, Keith Padgett, Marchon, Diana Hall, Bard Optical and Joe Romo, VSP. Opti-Port’s Annual Welcome Reception (L to R) Caitlin Northup, Eyenavision, Dave Trask, Opti-Port and Joe Zewe, Eyenavision enjoy the atmosphere at the Opti-Port reception Thursday evening. Opti-Port’s Annual Welcome Reception (L to R) Jim Zuraf and Richard Myott, both of Virginia Eye Institute, with Opti-Port’s Jim Edwards at the group’s welcome reception near Times Square. Opti-Port’s Annual Welcome Reception Essilor’s Sarah Vogel with Doug Stark, Henry Ford OptimEyes at the Opti-Port reception on Thursday evening. Opti-Port’s Annual Welcome Reception (L to R) ArtCraft Optical’s Kris Leary, Charlie Eagle, Mike Kerwin and Chris Eagle at the Opti-Port reception. Opti-Port’s Annual Welcome Reception (L to R) Heidi Orlando, WestGroupe with Jim Zuraf and Richard Myott, both of Virginia Eye Institute, at the Opti-Port welcome reception Thursday evening. Maui Jim Launch Party Maui Jim’s Craig LaManna (l) and Carrie Soderstrom during the company’s event debuting new frame styles at the Porchlight. #EyeStyleInfluencers Dinner Party Sheena Taff (l) known as @optician.about.town and the Vision Council’s Maureen Beddis during the #EyeStyleInfluencers dinner at the Gramercy Park Hotel. Prevent Blindness Honors 2019 Persons of Vision Jeff Todd, Prevent Blindness (l) and Dr. Derrick Artis (r) congratulate Vision Source’s Jim Greenwood and Glenn Ellisor, OD, as 2019 Persons of Vision Award recipients at the Prevent Blindness dinner. Prevent Blindness Honors 2019 Persons of Vision Vision Source execs: from left: Bobby Christensen, OD, John McCall, OD, Glenn Ellisor, OD, Amir Khoshnevis OD and Jim Greenwood. Prevent Blindness Honors 2019 Persons of Vision Among the many vendor partners at the Prevent Blindness Persons of Vision event: De Rigo REM’s Alessandro Baronti, far left, and Nicola Perrini, far right, flank Luxottica’s Fabrizio Uguzzoni and Ludovic Ladreyt. Prevent Blindness Honors 2019 Persons of Vision Jobson Interactive’s Joe Savarese, left, and WestGroupe’s Mike Suliteanu. Prevent Blindness Honors 2019 Persons of Vision Persons of Vision Committee member Maureen Cavanagh, Essilor, and Persons of Vision Committee Chair Dr. Derrick Artis, kick off the 2019 Persons of Vision Award Dinner. Prevent Blindness Honors 2019 Persons of Vision Vision Monday’s Marge Axelrad, left, with Essilor’s Holly Gillentine, center, and Dr. Millicent Knight. Prevent Blindness Honors 2019 Persons of Vision Dr. Glenn Ellisor, with his wife, Clarice, and daughter Erin Ellisor, OD. Hoya Happy Hour (L to R) Meeting visitors Friday afternoon at the busy Hoya Vision Care booth are Keith Norris, Derek Dodge and Dr. Greg Hicks. SUNY Optometry Eyes on New York Gala The SUNY Optometry/OCNY “Eyes on New York” Gala returned to Cipriani 42nd Street this year. SUNY Optometry Eyes on New York Gala Guests, including OCNY supporters, board members and SUNY Optometry students and faculty, enjoyed the landmark New York City space. SUNY Optometry Eyes on New York Gala (L to R) SUNY Optometry’s president and CEO, David Heath, OD, with OCNY Foundation president, Barbara Saltzman, and the evening’s emcee, Dr. Max Gomez, WCBS-TV’s senior medical correspondent. SUNY Optometry Eyes on New York Gala (L to R) 2019 honorees included Drs. Susan and Mark Fromer, MD of NYC, along with Dr. Julia Appel and Dr. Kimberly Reed, who accepted on behalf of Regeneron. Zeiss Hosts a ‘Moon Light Rock-it’ Party Zeiss hosted a big bash for hundreds of its customers at the Metropolitan West Club on Friday, the first night of Vision Expo. The party’s theme “Moon Light Rock-it,” was a reference to the pivotal role Zeiss camera lenses played in space exploration. Dr. Matthias Metz of Carl Zeiss Vision International, welcomed guests. Zeiss Hosts a ‘Moon Light Rock-it’ Party Andrew Hyncik of Carl Zeiss Vision spoke about Zeiss lenses, often in conjunction with Hasselblad cameras, captured many images from Apollo missions, including historic shots from the first moon landing 50 years ago. Zeiss Hosts a ‘Moon Light Rock-it’ Party Robert Spirito, Zeiss, (l) interviewed Apollo 16 astronaut Charlie Duke, who regaled guests with stories of his moon walk and his experiences helping manage other Apollo flights at NASA’s mission control. Zeiss Hosts a ‘Moon Light Rock-it’ Party Selena Friesen, OD and Michael Nelson, OD had a photo opp with Karen Roberts of Zeiss. Zeiss Hosts a ‘Moon Light Rock-it’ Party Hannah Santos, Bello Opticians, Worcester, Mass., posed with her new friends at the Zeiss party. Zeiss Hosts a ‘Moon Light Rock-it’ Party Shawn Laursen, Savanna Zebrasky, Taniya Biswas and Jas Drogojene were in a festive mood. Zeiss Hosts a ‘Moon Light Rock-it’ Party Two guests dueling with light sabers, Star Wars-style. ODs on Facebook Party At the ODs on Facebook party Friday night at Sony Hall, host Alan Glazier, OD, FAAO, talks with Lawrence Chavez, EveryDay Contacts. ODs on Facebook Party Among the attendees at Friday’s ODs on Facebook party are (l to r) Bryan Wolynski, OD, Glasses on First, host Alan Glazier, OD, FAAO, Kristen Reynolds, VSP Global, and Steve Sutherlin, The Vision Council. ODs on Facebook Party The ODs on Facebook party packed the house Friday night at Sony Hall near Times Square. Paul Smith Launch Party Fiona Mohammadi (l) and Marie Wilkinson of Cutler and Gross celebrating the launch of Paul Smith eyewear. Paul Smith Launch Party Marchon’s Nicola Zotta (l) and Thomas Burkhardt at the launch party for Paul Smith Eyewear at the Paul Smith store in Soho. Eyevan x Dennis Morris Event Noted photographer, Dennis Morris during the Eyevan x Dennis Morris event at 180 the Store celebrating his frame collaboration. Europa Cocktail Party STATE Optical Co./ Europa’s Nico Roseillier (l) and Scott Shapiro during the Europa party at Marquee. Europa Cocktail Party (L to R) Europa’s Amanda Shapiro with Jobson’s Julie Zidel and Christine Yeh. Europa Cocktail Party Europa held an event during Vision Expo East at the Marquee in New York City. Europa Cocktail Party Opticians Association of America’s Eric Williams, Shirley Earley and Moses Nawlo attended the Europa party at Marquee. Safilo Breakfast Safilo hosted its Women in Optics breakfast on March 23 in its beautifully decorated New York City showroom. Beverly Marquez (l) of Essilor and PERC Alliance’s Jessica Hall during the Safilo Women in Optics breakfast. Safilo Breakfast (L to R) Claudia Kozma Kaplan from kate spade new york joined Safilo's Victoria Hallberg and Antonella Leoni for a photo. Safilo Breakfast Opticians Association of America’s Dibby Bartlett and DITTO’s Kati Pease converse during the Women in Optics breakfast. Safilo Breakfast HEA's Jill Webb, Stephanie Lucas, Laura Dorris pose with Marge Axelrad, Vision Monday and Rachel Block-Smith also from HEA in the Safilo showroom. Safilo Breakfast IDOC's Janice Dody, Jan Cory and Susan Daly. Safilo Breakfast Safilo hosted its Women in Optics breakfast on March 23 in its beautifully decorated New York City showroom. Casa Luxottica Luxottica’s modern new NYC offices and showrooms are at 1 West 37th Street. Casa Luxottica Fabrizio Uguzzoni, president of Luxottica Wholesale N.A, welcomed guests to the new North America headquarters and thanked them for celebrating. Casa Luxottica Essilor of America’s Rick Gadd and Luxottica Wholesale N.A.’s Fabrizio Uguzzoni at the new Casa Luxottica in NYC. Casa Luxottica Music filled the new headquarters for Luxottica North America during their Casa Luxottica housewarming party. Casa Luxottica Attendees convened at 1 West 37th for the Casa Luxottica housewarming where they were treated to live entertainment, drinks, light bites and tours of the new showroom space. Casa Luxottica New tablets and touchscreen displays enable ECPs, retailers and consumers to customize product and choose from an ‘endless aisle’ of product choices. Casa Luxottica Ray-Ban has its own section/showroom area and The Oakley brand, too has its own showroom and display space. Casa Luxottica Luxottica’s fashion brands and new digital display and merchandising tools are presented on their own floor in 1 West 37th Street. Rockin’ for New Eyes Benefit Concert The Hard Rock Café was transformed into a 1960s time tunnel for Rockin’ for New Eyes, the annual fundraising concert for New Eyes for the Needy. The club was decorated ’60s style, complete with a psychedelic light show on stage behind the bands. Musicians and guests got in the groove by wearing Nehru jackets, paisley shirts, bell bottoms, peace necklaces and other flower power finery. Rockin’ for New Eyes Benefit Concert These optometry students were among many who came to the show, courtesy of National Vision. They raised the energy level at the Hard Rock, cheering their friends in the Punktum Remotum Band and partying the night away. Rockin’ for New Eyes Benefit Concert Members of Punktum Remotum belt out their finale, Hey Jude, with a little help from their friends. Rockin’ for New Eyes Benefit Concert Jean Gajano of New Eyes for the Needy accepts the “Big Check” for $190,000 from event organizers Denise Mogil, Costco, John Alofs, Eyewear by R.O.I. and Bob Stein, National Vision. Most of the money was raised through donations by 28 corporate sponsors. Rockin’ for New Eyes Benefit Concert Jobson's Alison DeMarco and her sister, Claudia, saw visions of love and peace all night long. Rockin’ for New Eyes Benefit Concert The Bass Curve Band rocked the house with Kiran Sran, OD, on vocals and Bob Stein on guitar. Rockin’ for New Eyes Benefit Concert Multi-instrumentalist Bruce Meyer, OD, took the spotlight for a flute solo. Rockin’ for New Eyes Benefit Concert Brothers Evan Shyer, vocals and Jason Shyer, guitar (c), Eastern States Optical, led the Retrospex Band, which included Franz Dornstauder, Santinelli International on bass (l) and Steph Hamilton on guitar (r).