The O=MEGA23/WCO4 conference begins this Friday 8 September and will run through the weekend, offering the 2,650 attendees from the global optometric community access to a diverse clinical program and expansive optical trade fair, as well as social events on the Friday and Saturday evenings.
With so much going on, here’s a breakdown of what you need to know before attending this week.
With participation from 26 different countries, O=MEGA23/WCO4 will offer conference delegates a unique opportunity to connect with some of the optical industry’s brightest minds and most respected thought leaders as they discuss cutting-edge developments, industry research and emerging trends that continue to shape the profession.
The conference’s curated program will encompass a wide spectrum of topics, encouraging attendees to tailor their O=MEGA23/WCO4 experience to specific areas of interest.
Delegates can also earn continuing professional development (CPD) hours through accredited sessions.
Clinical conference program
Key components of the clinical conference program include in-depth keynote presentations and lectures, concise paper presentations, dedicated sponsor sessions and engaging poster sessions.
Themes explored during O=MEGA23/WCO4’s program will include indigenous eye health, professional practice (ethics, communication skills and evidence into practice), traumatic brain injury, public health, systemic disease, optometric education, myopia management, dry eye, anterior eye and oral medication, posterior eye, glaucoma and neuro, contact lenses, paediatric binocular and COVID and eye health.
For all conference program details, visit here.
Keynote speakers / Masterclass presenters
As part of its clinical conference program, O=MEGA23/WCO4 will welcome highly esteemed keynote speakers, James S Wolffsohn, Professor of Optometry at Aston University (Birmingham, UK) and Dr Susan Cotter, Professor at the Southern California College of Optometry at Marshall B Ketchum University.
O=MEGA23/WCO4 will also run a series of non-clinical masterclasses concurrently with the event’s clinical conference program. This year’s masterclasses will be hosting two streams – Practice Management and Dispensing.
Masterclasses will be presented by Ms Kate Hall, national retail operations manager at ProVision; Ms Emma Gillies (PhD – glaucoma), optometrist, academic, expert in behavioural dynamics and founder of Purple Key Consulting; Ms April Petrusma, optical dispenser and visual communication design expert; Mr Jim Papas, optometrist and business and leadership specialist; Ms Belinda Musitano, optical dispenser; Mr Matt Oerding, co-founder and CEO of Treehouse Eyes; Mr Grant Hannaford, 2022 Silmo IOA International Optician of the Year, co-founder and director of the Academy of Advanced Ophthalmic Optics and owner of Hannaford Eyewear; Mr Steve Daras, optical dispensing course coordinator, TAFE NSW; Mr James Gibbins, optical dispenser and co-founder of The Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD) and Mr Mark Corduff, business services manager at Provision.
Each masterclass is $50.00 (AUD), and registration is essential. To book, visit here.
Social events
Welcome Reception
Friday, 8 September 2023, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Trade Fair, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
O=MEGA23/WCO4’s official Welcome Reception will provide an opportunity for attendees to connect and network in a convivial environment. This complimentary event will set the tone for the subsequent days of knowledge exchange and collaboration and will feature the presentation of the ODMA Awards of Excellence.
Meet and Greet Down Under: hosted by ZEISS
Saturday, 9 September 2023, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Courtyard, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Presented by ZEISS, this promises to infuse excitement and entertainment into the conference. Attendees can look forward to a night of fun and relaxation. This exclusive evening event will feature a live DJ, captivating LED hoop performers and a mesmerising acrobat duo.
Attendees will have the chance to enjoy a meal and drinks while participating in a range of exciting activities, including an interactive 360 Photo Booth, live caricaturist sessions and a ZEISS Claw Machine with enticing prizes at stake.
OV/SA awards will be presented along with WCO bursaries. Tickets can be purchased here.
The Koorie Market @ Naarm: sponsored by Vision 2020 and the City of Melbourne
Saturday, 9 September 2023, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Near the Courtyard rooms, Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Simultaneously running with the Meet and Greet Down Under event, The Koorie Market @ Naarm is a free event that offers attendees a unique opportunity to connect with Indigenous communities and celebrate their vibrant culture. Presented in collaboration with Kinaway Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Vision 2020 and the City of Melbourne, this market will showcase Indigenous businesses through numerous stalls.
Attendees can explore and purchase indigenous-made products, experience live music by Yorta Yorta artist Madi Colville-Walker and enjoy a captivating Welcome to Country.
For more social event information, visit here.
The biennial O=MEGA event is the optometric industry’s biggest event in the Southern Hemisphere and in 2023, it will combine with the 4th World Congress of Optometry. O=MEGA23/WCO4 will also feature 9,000sqm of optical products and services.
O=MEGA23’s partnership with the WCO creates a unique alignment and rare opportunity to combine a national and international program to showcase latest advances for clinical optometry and the ophthalmic industry in the region.
For more information about the event, visit here.
More reading
O=MEGA23/WCO4 is Australian optical’s golden opportunity
What’s on the O=MEGA23 trade floor?
Customise your O=MEGA23/WCO4 clinical program