The Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA) is hosting its inaugural Women in Optics Breakfast at ODMAFair25.
The breakfast, sponsored by ProVision, will take place on Saturday 28 June at International Convention & Exhibition Centre (Sydney ICC), and will feature Ms Carli Phillips, CEO of Corporate Wellbeing Hub.
She will run a session on ‘sustaining wellbeing’.
ODMA is hoping the new initiative – announced in time for International Women’s Day on 8 March – will resonate with all women’s optical support groups, motivating them to attend ODMAFair and be part of a breakfast focused on addressing topical subjects.
“Whether they be related to dealing with menopause in the workplace, juggling families and careers, workplace flexibility, leveraging women’s skillsets and strengths, or just enabling peers to exchange common successes and challenges,” ODMA stated.
The aim is to bring smaller groups – that are forming and are achieving great results – together and enable connections in wider circles.
ODMA said ProVision, a network of around 450 independent practices, was an ideal partner, with fast-growing ‘Women in Optometry’ groups across multiple states, as well as a developing national platform for learning, connection, support and mentorship.
“The aim is that ODMA can help these various smaller groups have a means to grow and connect with each other in person annually at a major industry optical event”, said ODMA CEO Ms Amanda Trotman.
“The objective here is that by offering our help in organising a fun breakfast event under the ODMAFair banner, that many women in optics, no matter their role, will have more opportunities for exchanging ideas, helping their businesses and teams to grow and connect, and for mentoring programs to thrive across location boundaries.
“The larger the group, the more connections can be made and our approach will be to provide a great speaker, time to chat with peers as well as researching hot topics females want to discuss”.
The event will provide a way for all attendees to exchange ideas on challenges specific to women, as well as how the industry can leverage their talents and skills.
“We hope that this gathering will become a continued and growing feature of ODMA’s events,” Trotman said.
For more information and to register visit here.
More reading
ODMAFair 2025 program striking at heart of challenges in independent optics
Quality spots still available at ODMAFair25 trade event
Nominations open for ODMA optical industry awards