EYECARE PLUS NATIONAL CONFERENCE & AGM
INDEPENDENT - TOGETHER
ABOUT
Manly, reached from the Sydney CBD by ferry across Sydney Harbour, offers the best of both worlds – cosmopolitan buzz and a relaxed vibe. Sandy, tree-fringed Manly Beach is one of the city’s famed surf spots, and there are broad coastal views on the oceanfront walk to sheltered Shelly Beach. The Manly Pacific boutique hotel is well positioned on the Manly beachfront.
You are all independent optometry practitioners and you are also a part of Eyecare Plus. The Independent – Together Conference celebrates the fact that you can run your practices the way that you want but you also have the support of the Eyecare Plus National Office and your fellow colleagues. You work for yourself but not by yourself.
The Eyecare Plus National Conference has workshops for optometrists and dispensing staff. With highly regarded keynote speakers, a fabulous Trade Display and Cocktail Party, and the Gala Awards Dinner, we invite you to join us for some fun and learning. Get your team together and register now!
Image: Destination NSW
AGENDA
Friday 18 October 2024
| Time | Event | Room |
|---|---|---|
|
4:30pm - 5:00pm |
Afternoon Tea |
Shelly Beach Foyer |
|
5:00pm - 6:00pm |
AGM |
Shelly Beach |
|
6:00pm - 11:00pm |
Cocktail Party in Trade Display |
Fairy Bower |
Saturday 19 October 2024
| Time | Event | Room |
|---|---|---|
|
8:00am - 9:00am |
Trade Display |
Fairy Bower |
|
9:00am - 9:05am |
Welcome - MC & Martin Gregory |
Pacific Ballroom |
|
9:05am - 10:00am |
The power of YOU in your ongoing SUCCESS! – Julie Cross |
Pacific Ballroom |
|
10:00am - 10:45am |
EssilorLuxottica presentation |
Pacific Ballroom |
|
10:45am - 11:15am |
Morning Tea & Trade Display |
Fairy Bower |
|
11:15am - 11:45am |
So you’re thinking of buying or selling a practice?…SHOW ME THE MONEY!!! – Paul McKinley |
Pacific Ballroom |
|
11:15am - 12:35am |
ACOD Workshop |
The Cove Rooms |
|
11:45am - 12:15pm |
Managing Difficult Employee Situations – Kayley Riddle |
Pacific Ballroom |
|
12:15pm - 12:35pm |
High Performance Summit presentations |
Pacific Ballroom |
|
12:35pm - 1:35pm |
Lunch & Trade Display |
Fairy Bower |
|
1:35pm - 2:30pm |
The Budgy Smuggler Story – Adam Linforth |
Pacific Ballroom |
|
2:30pm - 3:15pm |
Visual Merchandising – Kerry van Beuge |
Pacific Ballroom |
|
3:15pm - 3:45pm |
Afternoon Tea, Trade Display & Prize Draw |
Fairy Bower |
|
3:45pm - 4:00pm |
Go beyond with the most progressive daily disposable multifocal contact lens – Simon Hanna |
Pacific Ballroom |
|
4:00pm - 4:15pm |
HOYA presentation |
Pacific Ballroom |
|
4:15pm - 4:45pm |
Marketing Plus Update – Kimberly Thomson |
Pacific Ballroom |
|
4:45pm - 5:00pm |
Eyecare Plus Update & Conference Close – Philip Rose |
Pacific Ballroom |
|
5:00pm - 6:30pm |
Free Time |
|
|
6:30pm - 7:00pm |
Pre Dinner Drinks |
Pacific Ballroom Foyer |
|
7:00pm - 11:45pm |
EssilorLuxottica Gala Awards Dinner – 70s Disco Fever |
Pacific Ballroom |
* Agenda subject to change
Dress Code
AGM and Conference – smart casual
Friday night Cocktail Party in the Trade Display – smart casual
Saturday night EssilorLuxotica Gala Awards Dinner – 70s Disco Fever
EssilorLuxottica Gala Awards Dinner – 70s Disco Fever
Think Studio 54. Glitzy, groovy, and just plain fun as you get down and boogie with friends. Bellbottom pants, psychedelic patterns, big afro hairstyles and platform shoes are the fashion. Colourful shiny sequins and shimmering metallics will light up under the disco ball. Get funky, follow the soul train to the discotheque and get on the dancefloor for some Saturday Night Fever!
SPEAKERS
Julie Cross
Julie Cross CSP… she is one of the most inspiring, entertaining and empowering keynote speakers in Australia. She is a masterful storyteller and inspiring change maker, combining powerful insights into human behaviour with practical strategies that leaves audiences with powerful tools for living their best life, and setting a higher standard in all aspects of their existence.
Julie connects the information in our heads with the inspiration in our hearts, and the laughter in our souls. She communicates complex concepts in a clear, relatable and engaging manner.
She is an adventure seeker, an author, a mother and one of the industry’s most sought-after speakers thanks to her unique style and commitment to empowering her audiences. Her speaking business’ growth over 26 years is due to referrals, an indication of her huge impact on her audience. And while her business grew her personal life has offered many immense challenges and opportunities for growth. It is this ‘real life’ experience that forms a foundation of an authentic and relatable message – one that only Julie could deliver.
If you are looking for a long list of her academic
qualifications then you will have trouble finding them… but you see, that is what makes Julie so inspiring and relatable. Her success comes from a foundation of applying disciplined self-leadership, focused self-belief, inspiring resilience and proven business skills and strategies. She truly has excelled in the university of real life.
You will be entertained… you will laugh, you will be challenged, and you will have many moments that you see yourself in, you will be taken on a lively, feeling, thinking, soul nurturing and sometimes confronting journey that will rouse your senses, stir your emotions and challenge you to put the shared strategies into action.
Adam Linforth
Adam is the owner and chief smuggler of the iconic Australian swimwear label Budgy Smuggler.
The business originally started as a laugh amongst mates and has since transitioned from a hobby into a global brand with over 40 staff based across offices in Australia, the UK and France.
Today there is a pair of Australian made smugglers manufactured and sold every two minutes and the brand has been worn by everyone from Australian royalty like Buddy Franklin to many of the actual British Royal family.
Budgy Smuggler was the founding sponsor of the Betoota Advocate and even got named in the Oxford Dictionary in 2016 alongside the words ‘glamping’ and ‘wedding tackle’. Outside of Budgy Smuggler, Adam has raised over $50 million dollars for Indigenous education.
He lives in Manly with his wife Liz and two boys, Louis and Billy.
Simon Hanna
After graduation from the University of Melbourne in 2003, Simon worked at the Australian College of Optometry, completing the Clinical Residency Program before opening his own private clinic in 2006. He completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Clinical Optometry in 2006 and Postgraduate Certificate in Ocular Therapeutics in 2007, before returning to the University of Melbourne as a Senior Clinical Teaching Instructor in 2011 and completing a Graduate Certificate in University Teaching.
From 2014 to 2022, Simon worked with Optometry Australia in his capacity as National Professional Development and Clinical Policy Manager, after which he was then appointed to the position of National Professional Services Manager with Bausch + Lomb in 2022.
Paul McKinley
Paul is a Chartered Accountant turned Finance Broker, providing personal, tailored finance solutions for both the commercial and consumer sectors. Broking in his own businesses since 1998, Paul established Optometry Finance Australia in February 2016, when he realised there was both an opportunity, and a need, to help Australian optometrists by:
Providing tailored finance solutions for both their practices, and their personal financeAssist Members with the funding of practice purchases and fitout, medical equipment and motor vehicles, as well as commercial, residential and investment property, including via SMSF
Helping educate members in the world of commercial and personal finance, through webinars and presentations at conferences, as well as contributing to a national optometry magazine
Optometry Finance Australia
Is an independent finance broker serving Australian OptometristsIs an endorsed Advantage Partner of Optometry Australia has access to/is accredited with over 60 national lenders and more than 3,500 loan products, ensuring you get the best deal.
James has qualifications in both optical dispensing and optics mechanics as well as a Bachelor in Education (Vocational Education) from the University of Technology Sydney and Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.
Virgilia Readett
Virgilia Readett is a senior Trainer with the Australasian College of Optical Dispensing (ACOD). She holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, a Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Communications.
Virgilia has been teaching with ACOD since 2019 and is passionate about student support and development. Having begun her optical career with Specsavers in 2012, she found training and staff support were her passion and went on to complete her optical dispensing qualification, and later her training and assessment qualification. Over her 12 years of optical experience, Virgilia has worked in several stores in supervisory and in store trainer positions. Virgilia believes the key to customer satisfaction lies in more highly trained staff and is excited to assist ACOD in upskilling the Optical Assistants of our industry into qualified Optical Dispensers.
Kayley Riddle
Kayley is an accredited and experienced Executive and Leadership Coach with over 20 years of delivering results nationally and internationally, across a variety of sectors and industry.
Kayley’s Bachelor’s Degree and Tertiary Diploma are in Teaching and Education. This led her to a career in People Management, Human Resources and Talent Development.
With a passion for coaching, Kayley went on to further studies at the Coaching Academy and holds a Diploma in Personal Performance Coaching, a Diploma in Executive and Corporate Coaching and an
Advanced Diploma in Coaching. She is accredited and licenced in
delivering many programs including StrengthFinder, DiSC, The Science of Wellbeing and Emotional Intelligence.
An experienced Executive leader, Kayley’s career includes 10 years with Hilton International in both Australia and Europe, including senior Human Resources and regional Talent Development roles. She also held an Executive Human Resources role in TAFENSW for over 5 years where she was accountable for all leadership coaching and development.
Developing and facilitating group and individual coaching was always a key part of her roles and remains her key strength and focus. She has now worked exclusively as a Coach in her own business for over 7 years and supports a range of Executive Leaders in improving their performance.
Kayley’s style has been described as energetic, supportive, knowledgeable, and people-focused. She customises all sessions to individual needs and goals and ensures outcomes and results are the key focus.
Philip Rose
Born in Germany and residing in Australia since the age of six, Philip now resides in Sydney. Having worked internationally, owned and operated his own businesses, with previous General Manager experience and over 14 years of experience in the optical industry, Philip brings a wealth of business knowledge and experience to the Eyecare Plus team.
Philip is focused on helping independent optometry and the Eyecare Plus group through this current period of rapid change in our industry.
Kimberly Thomson
Kimberly Thomson is the Marketing Coordinator and Social Media Strategist at Eyecare Plus National Office. She carries a Bachelor of Communications Degree majoring in Advertising from the University of Western Sydney. Kimberly is also a RMIT graduate, completing a Social Media Content and Strategy course.
Kimberly is a versatile professional with a strong foundation in sales and operations management, successfully transitioning into the dynamic realm of digital marketing.
Kimberly is passionate about leveraging digital marketing and embracing new technologies to drive impactful strategies. She has proven expertise in crafting compelling social media content strategies to enhance brand presence and engagement. As a dedicated Social Media Strategist, Kimberly thrives on creating and implementing dynamic plans that connect businesses with their audience in meaningful ways.
TRADE DISPLAY
Eyecare Plus wishes to thank our Strategic Partners for their generous support of this year’s ‘Independent – Together’ Conference.
Please show your support by visiting their trade displays during our Cocktail Party on Friday night and Conference breaks on Saturday.
Enter the Eye Spy Quiz and ACOD’s Focimetry Competition to win one of the many prizes available.
Trade Display Times
Friday 18 October
Cocktail Party – 6:00pm – 11:00pm
Saturday 19 October
Registration – 8:00am – 9:00am
Morning Tea – 10:45am – 11:15am
Lunch – 12:35pm – 1:35pm
Afternoon Tea – 3:15pm – 3:45pm
Platinum Partner
Gold Partners
Silver Partners
ACCOMMODATION
CANCELLATIONS
Any room nights cancelled 30 days or less prior to arrival will incur a 100% cancellation fee, on all nights held.
Local Room
No frills, not trying to impress anyone, you’re a local and comfortable is all you need with our soft neutral tones. Located in the Fairlight Wing, enjoy views of Manly neighbourhood as you live like a local. Appointed with either one Queen bed for 2 adults and 1 child or two Queen beds to accommodate to up to 4 guests. Enjoy an ensuite with a separate shower and bath to ease into your stay, 50″ Smart TV with Google Staycast for streaming the latest movies, wi-fi, safe and a mini-bar for when your appetite peaks.
Explorer Room
You’re here but you also enjoy being out there. With your own private balcony overlooking our Manly neighbourhood, you’re ready to explore and experience the coastal town for yourself. Designed to be just right inside and out, with either one King bed for 2 adults and 1 child or two Queen beds accommodating up to 4 guests. Enjoy an ensuite with walk-in shower, 55″ Smart TV with Google Staycast for streaming the latest movies, wi-fi, safe and mini-bar for when that craving is too tempting to pass up.
Ocean Drifter Room
You are here for the ocean, and the thought of drifting between the waves is the escape you have been craving. Enjoy ocean views and the sea breeze from your own private balcony. Configured with either one King bed for 2 adults and 1 child, using existing bed or two Queen beds accommodating up to 4 guests. Enjoy an ensuite with walk-in shower, 55″ Smart TV with Google Staycast for streaming the latest movies, wi-fi, safe and mini-bar for a treat as you bask in the magnificent views.
Check In and Check Out
Hotel check in is after 2.00pm and check out before 11.00am. Although these times are the normal check in and out times, you are welcome to enjoy the hotel facilities outside these times. The porters can store your luggage until your rooms are available or until you depart.
Breakfast
Full buffet breakfast is available in Bistro Manly from 6.30am to 10.30am.
Car Parking
Manly Pacific offers guests and visitors overnight paid parking beneath the hotel. The car park can be accessed via Francis Lane off Raglan Street and offers secure underground parking and direct lift access into the lobby and conference rooms. All car parking is subject to availability with limited spaces available and cannot be pre-booked. Priority is given to guests staying overnight in the hotel during peak periods and is on a first come, first park basis. Please note that the car park has a height restriction of 1.97 metres. If the car park is full, alternative parking is available at the unaffiliated council car parks in Central Avenue.
Exclusive guest rates:
Overnight self parking $45
Casual day parking $45
Valet parking $60
REGISTRATION
*Discounts apply per practice. For staff that work in multiple practices, it is the practice where the staff member works the majority of hours. Please register each staff member separately.
Early bird pricing book by 31/7/24. $400 1st person; $350 2nd staff member; $250 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. staff member.
Regular pricing book after 1/8/24. $425 1st person; $365 2nd staff member; $260 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. staff member.