The Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA) has revealed that as of early June, more than 1,040 optometrists and independent practice staff members have already registered their intention to attend ODMAFair25 at ICC Sydney from 27-29 June.
Given Super Sunday and Australasian College of Behavioural Optometry (ACBO) attendees will also be visiting the event, this puts practice attendance over the three days at more than 1,500, the organisation said.
There’s also 2.5 weeks of registrations to come, plus any onsite registrants.
“I am thrilled with the interest in attending ODMA’s event,” ODMA CEO Ms Amanda Trotman said.
“This demonstrates that the huge range of products and services being in the one place at the one time, along with the collaborative arrangements with other optical education that ODMA has sought out in addition to offering its own practice and business management focused sessions, is obviously valued by the industry as a great way to do business and stay connected to valued suppliers and industry colleagues.”
ODMA said 50% of registrants were from New South Wales, with 50 people from New Zealand, 50 from Western Australia planning to attend.
“It is fantastic to have their support and making the trip as well as many practices from regional Australia. With Queensland and Victoria currently showing 15% of registrants for each of those states, we can truly say this is a broad reaching event,” Trotman added.
To date, registrants have stated that 24% are practice owners/directors, 25% are optometrists, 20% are practice management and team members, 20% are optical dispensers – demonstrating the event is appealing to all roles within a practice.
Remaining attendees come from other fields such as buyers, educators, ophthalmologists, orthoptists, students, media, and customer service roles.
ODMA stated that when considering exhibitors, media, speakers and other attendees, the event will easily see more than 2,000 optical professionals assembled over the three days for product and services acquisitions, education, networking and activities such as prize draws and award announcements.
Trotman also noted ODMA’s awards program had already been a success, with suppliers and practices getting behind nominations and voting for one another.
“With over 2,100 votes placed we couldn’t have asked for a better engagement by the industry and are excited to announce finalists and winners and recognise these achievements at the Friday networking event on the trade floor,” she said.
Trotman said ODMAFair25 is continuing to welcome people wanting to visit the trade fair. Registrations are welcome up to the last minute.
“Plus there are spaces in our session rooms still and for our opening keynote breakfast with Adam Spencer which I know will be an enlightening presentation, so all those still considering whether or not to attend are welcomed to do so,” she said.
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