Bailey Nelson has paid homage to the company’s humble origins while also looking to the future at its annual conference known as Eyecon 2023.
Having recently introduced its first kids’ frame collection, and with aspirations to double its current store count in the next three years, there was plenty for delegates to be excited about at the event, which was themed From small things big things grow.
Mr Jacobson advocated the importance of optometry in Bailey Nelson’s future, a decision that brought 65 Bailey Nelson optometrists together for Eyecon 2023
Eyecon 2023 was held in Sydney, where founders Nick Perry and Pete Winkle first started up in 2002 at the Bondi markets. Since then, the company has grown to over 100 stores across Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Mr Perry and Mr Winkle shared stories of their early market days, their very first store opening, and the introduction of optometry to the business by Lawrie Jacobson, the company’s now Eyecare Director. Mr Jacobson advocated the importance of optometry in Bailey Nelson’s future, a decision that brought 65 Bailey Nelson optometrists together for Eyecon 2023.
Constantly Improve
At Bailey Nelson, optometrists are considered leaders in store. To highlight this leadership, while focussing on the company’s core value of Constantly Improve, attendees heard from the retail management team on key ways that optometrists can contribute to creating a great customer journey for every patient. An insightful panel discussion followed, with optometrists sparking conversation on what they can do, day-to-day, to drive success.
One of the features of the trip, and drawing on Bailey Nelson’s value of Tightknit, was an afternoon Sydney Harbour Cruise. The team was then treated to a Korean fusion dinner where they were able to put faces to names, connect with each other in person, and bond over shared interests. Never to miss an opportunity to celebrate, values awards celebrated optometrists who hd made key contributions over the last year. Those who wanted to party on, participated in a disco themed rave, complete with a light up disco ball, brought all the way from Adelaide by optometrist, Phuong Truong.
Ophthalmology Learnings and Hands On Activity
The following day featured interesting content by ophthalmology guest speakers Dr Raj Naidu, Dr Capi Odouard, Dr Hemal Mehta and Professor Stephanie Watson. Topics ranged from myopia control and the public patient’s journey in the hospital system, to hot off the press treatments for age-related macular degeneration, and the best of corneal imaging in 2023.
Running concurrently was a range of elective small group workshops designed to get people hands on and talking. These workshops included CPR refresher courses; tips and tricks from Optos’ Regional Product Specialist, Renee Slunjski; and an insight into joint venture partnership opportunities with Donna Sharpe and Berners Hall-Matthews from Bailey Nelson.
Coopervision, Alcon and Johnson and Johnson delivered contact lens workshops, with Coopervision highlighting the growth in contact lens sales across Bailey Nelson, attributed mainly to the introduction of Bailey Nelson-branded contact lenses. Competitive spirits were put to the test when Joshua Clark from Alcon hosted a game of Jeopardy and Andrew Kotsos from Johnson and Johnson ran a mini ‘Olympic Games’ that included mini golf, basketball and archery.
Having reflected on how much Bailey Nelson has grown, and heard about all there is to look forward to, the company’s commitment to personal and professional growth in optometry is clearly evident.
