ODMA2013 attracts 4,934 visits: just below Sydney 2011

Having said that, re-visits on subsequent days improved by 16 per cent. This multi-day attendance was an important objective of ODMA because it improves the likelihood of better onsite sales for exhibitors and greater engagent with visitors. Multi-day attendance is expected to have been driven by the conference and a higher proportion of out-of-state visitors spending longer in Brisbane. Running from Friday to Sunday, Saturday proved to be the busiest day with Sunday the quietest; this reflects the same trend as the 2011 event in Sydney.The home state distribution of attendees was a greater spread than in 2011; 54 per cent was from outside the home state, compared with 2011 when it was 27 per cent. The share of visitors from SA, NZ, WA and Victoria improved compared with 2011. The proportion of decision makers was higher at ODMA2013 with 40.5 per cent of all visitors being the primary decision maker and 35.2 per cent influencing practice decisions. Optometrists made up 32 per cent of total visitors and dispensers 23.5 per cent.Speaking with INSIGHT, Finola Carey, chief executive officer at ODMA said: The biggest surprise was the way all visitors braced the new venue in QLD. It was infectious and added an ambience to the Fair that we’ve not experienced for a few years. The weather was pretty fantastic as well. We honestly did not expect mid-20 degree tperatures and to be dining al fresco in July. New to the agenda this year was the addition of the conference program with a total of 40.5 CPD points on offer for optometrists with 31 therapeutic points, as well as master classes for dispensers and other practice staff. A total of 395 optometrists attended the CPD sessions, with most of the sessions being very well received by those that attended. The master classes had a total of 383 registrations, with most sessions being full to capacity. ODMA being the sole sponsor of the conference program meant we could design a program that provided the best possible education at the lowest price to support independent practitioners when they most need it, Ms Carey told INSIGHT.The conference program was not the only new it on the agenda at ODMA2013, for the first time the Gala Dinner was held on the Saturday night with 620 ophthalmic industry professionals up for the festivities, and from all accounts was considered a success. The inaugural ODMA Open was held on the Monday, with INSIGHT as gold sponsor and Designs for Vision as supporting sponsor, the proceeds of which went to Optometry Giving Sight.