2021 BCDO Annual Conference & OPTOFAIR Summary

The 2021 Annual Conference & OPTOFAIR occurred on September 17-19, 2021—hosted as a hybrid event. The conference took place both at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, and virtually in the form of CE Sessions offered as webinars. Over 540 BCDO and CAO members registered to the conference, with 37 students and 33 non-member Optometrists. The weekend offered a total of 29 courses providing 31 CE credit hours featuring 31 different speakers.

This year BCDO branched into new ways of running the conference while pivoting to meet the challenges posed by COVID-19 in two keyways: Contactless Badge Scanning which helped reduce close-proximity contact and ensure a more reliable data collection method, and a Conference Web Platform where BCDO offered live streaming of webinars, in-person sessions, course notes and event information.

To support events and the continuing education courses, 14 corporate sponsors contributed a total of $171,500.00 to the 2021 Annual Conference & OPTOFAIR.

Awards Luncheon

The Awards Luncheon, hosted by Dr. Errin Bligh, presented the opportunity to recognize and celebrate member, optometric staff and industry who have made extraordinary contributions to the optometric profession.

Once again, congratulations to our award recipients:

• President's Award | Dr. Shannon Cerniuk

The President’s Awards is BCDO’s top award for our profession and has developed to recognize the exemplary and outstanding professional and community contributions made by a member of the British Columbia Doctors of

Optometry.

• Optometrist of the Year | Dr. Pavan Avinashi

The Optometrist of the Year award honours a member who has contributed to the advancement of optometry in a meaningful

way over the past year or cumulatively over many years.

• Young Optometrist of the Year | Dr. Evelyn Lo

This Young Optometrist of the Year Award recognizes a member with less than 10 years in the field and demonstrates outstanding leadership skills both within their profession and in their community.

• Optometry Industry Representative of the

Year | Mr. Rawn Stokoe.

The Optometry Industry Representative of the

Year award honors a person who has provided exceptional services to our doctors.

• Optometric Assistant of the Year Award | Ms.

Natalia Jette

The Optometric Assistant of the Year honours a person who has provided exceptional service.

2021 OPTOFAIR

OPTOFAIR was a lively afternoon where conference delegates took the opportunity to connect with vendors and suppliers, some of which they had not seen in over a year. A total of 38 organizations showcased at this year’s tradeshow. Eight exhibitors provided raffle prizes ranging from a widescreen tv and product kits, to gift cards and electronics.

Cocktail Reception & 100th Anniversary Gala

BCDO celebrated its 100th Anniversary with a Gala and Cocktail Reception at the Black & Blue covered Patio—The Roof. The space created a perfect environment for conference attendees and industry partners to mix and mingle while enjoying great food and beverages.

Saturday Night Social

On Saturday, September 18th, BCDO held a Saturday Night Social event for conference attendees to have the opportunity to meet and network in-person over food and drinks at the Reflections Garden Terrance at the Rosewood Hotel Georgia. DJ Kyboom provided music for the evening, and a photobooth where attendees could take photos with a 2021 BCDO Annual Conference virtual backdrop.

Evaluations

Overall, the event feedback was favourable, and attendees appreciated the hybrid conference model that allowed for both virtual and in-person CE and events. BCDO can continue to build upon the success of the conference.