ODMA will run OSHOW22 in Sydney

I am thrilled to be providing my first instalment of “From the CEO’s Desk” as ODMA’s long serving CEO, Finola Carey, takes a well-deserved and extended longservice leave break.

I have been on board with ODMA for over a year now, occupying the role of O=MEGA21 Project Manager, and more recently, as ODMA’s General Manager. This has allowed me to gain many industry insights, spend time learning from Finola and of course liaise with a number of industry providers.

Not seeing O=MEGA21 come to fruition given the ongoing COVID-19 challenges (gosh…doesn’t 2019 seem a long time ago now!) in 2021 was a disappointment for many, including myself.

I would like to acknowledge the immense amount of work and planning that was undertaken to deliver O=MEGA21 by not just ODMA and OVSA but many of our trusted event suppliers and all the lens, frame, sunglass, equipment and other industry suppliers that were hoping to exhibit at the event. Plus all those optometry practice team members who had hoped to be travelling to Melbourne in person.

We were proud of course to work with our collaborative partner, OVSA, to pivot last minute and still be able to provide the important CPD learning component of the event in a virtual event scenario via SRC, OVSA’s conference brand.

Whilst early in 2022, COVID-19 has managed to still cause many unexpected challenges, as I pen this article, case numbers and the all-important hospitalisation rates are continuing to fall as we learn to live with the virus.

Now ODMA, like many other organisations, are again planning the much-needed live industry events that contribute significantly to suppliers being able to showcase in person their exciting new products and for attendees to gain product and service knowledge and health updates to enable them to thrive in this ever-changing industry.

Someone who would have seen many changes over the years is Barry Linnan. Which provides a nice segway to the news that industry stalwart, Barry Linnan, aka “Bonza Baz”, has retired and ODMA would like to recognise Barry for the many years of service he has also provided to the optical industry.

Barry Linnan joined OPSM as an optical mechanic in 1967 and worked there for eleven years before moving to Tasmanian Optical (at that time part of Martin Wells Group) where he stayed for two and a half years.

He moved to Optical Products in Sydney in 1980 during which time he qualified as an accountant and did the books for Ops until 1990. His next move was to Rodenstock in 1990 as the Managing Director where he remained until 2004 when he left to start his own business, Phoenix Eyewear.

After four years ‘going it alone’, Barry decided to return to a larger corporate and joined Optimed as their Accountant in 2008 and he has carried out that position for fourteen years. At the ODMA get together on Wednesday 23rd February, on behalf of the industry he has served for fifty-four years, ODMA paid tribute to Barry by presenting him with a “Contribution to Industry” Award. We wish “Bonza Baz” a very happy retirement!

The next major event on ODMA’s calendar is O-SHOW22. OSHOW22 will be held Friday 27th and Saturday 28th May at the Hordern Pavilion, in the Moore Park precinct in Sydney. I am so excited to be delivering the first OSHOW in Sydney and in such an iconic building, one that was built with delivering memorable experiences top of mind.

This will be the first major Trade Event for the industry in a number of years and will feature a trade floor packed with suppliers that are truly busting to finally unpack their exciting new pieces of equipment and frame designs and lens technology. If ever there was a show to attend this would have to be it as I have just felt the buzz when meeting our members as they talk about their plans for their booths.

Talking of buzz, this years OSHOW22N event will overlap with the first weekend of the amazing Vivid Sydney event that is back on the live events calendar. This is one of my fave outdoor events and whether you are a Sydney-sider or interstate visitor, it is an event not to be missed so plan your OSHOW22 attendance around a fun outing with peers, friends and family www.vividsydney.com

This year OSHOW will again incorporate a Spotlight Stage within the trade floor. This will feature a number of 20-30 minute presentations packed with tips on topics such as fashion, retailing and business management.

These sessions will run throughout the show and are free to attend and you do not need to register for these sessions, just pre-register to attend OSHOW22 on the website and take a seat at the session that interests you.

In an OSHOW first, we are also offering one stream of Masterclass and workshop sessions. This is due to the disappointment that workshop sessions were not able to be delivered in 2021 at O=MEGA, so rather than wait until O=MEGA23, we have compiled a program around key in-demand topics such as Starting Your Own Independent Practice, Top Tips for Quality Dispensing, Ocular Emergencies and Triaging and Ocular Imaging for Front-of-house staff.

Sessions are either 60 or 90 minutes and will be held in a meeting room above the trade floor. You do need to register in advance however, not only for OSHOW22 but also for the specific Masterclass session you wish to attend given the limited capacity and a nominal fee for these sessions does apply.

Both the Spotlight and Masterclass program of sessions can be found on the o-show.com.au website.

Amanda Trotman, ODMA General Manager / Acting CEO