It’s not too late to register to attend the Optical Distributors and Manufacturers Association (ODMA) Women in Optics event taking place on Sunday 16 August during O-SHOW26. The event has been accredited by Optometry Australia Institute of Excellence Quality Assured for three non-clinical hours and 1.25 interactive hours.
The event is just one of a number of ongoing initiatives planned for Women in Optics. Further live events, webinars and ongoing online connection have been planned to create opportunities for women in optical practice and across the broader industry to share knowledge, discuss current challenges and support each other’s growth. Already the Facebook group has close to 100 members.
“The key here is ongoing connection – connection that encourages growth and learning and reminds us that we are not alone in our journeys,” said ODMA CEO Amanda Trotman.
Ms Trotman said the focus of the 2026 Women in Optics event at O-SHOW, will be on supporting practice owners and managers to work on their own health and the growth of their practices.
The event has been accredited by Optometry Australia Institute of Excellence Quality Assured for three non-clinical hours and 1.25 interactive hours
The afternoon will include sessions and roundtable discussions on wellbeing and work life blending, financial independence, business strategic planning, workplace culture, and leadership.
Sponsored by ZEISS and OptiqueLine
Both ZEISS and OptiqueLine have sponsored the Women in Optics event, and donated gifts for a prize draw.
John Nicola, Director of Optique Line said his company was proud to support “an initiative that celebrates the women who lead, innovate and make a difference across Australian eye care”.
Erika Desfontaines, Marketing Manager for Optique Line, said supporting the event “aligns with our values and our commitment to a stronger, more connected optical community”.
ZEISS Marketing Manager Amanda Bartlett said her company was keen to support an initiative that could create positive flow-on effects throughout the industry.
“ZEISS is proud to sponsor Women in Optics, because ongoing opportunities to connect, learn and grow create flow-on effects that benefit leaders, their teams, peers and the broader optical community.”
An Evolving Initiative
Ms Trotman, who has taken the lead in developing the 2026 Women in Optics event, expects the initiative to evolve over time.
“While this project is especially important to me personally, given my own career journey, I expect it will be the attendees and participants who shape this initiative in the years to come and make it what they need it to be,” she said.
“I am excited to see this group develop into a community where women have others they can challenge and be challenged by, learn from, and inspire each other.”
