The Vision Council’s 2019 Executive Summit is underway with a lineup of networking events, Division and Committee meetings, and inspiring keynote speakers focusing on the theme of “Contagious Leadership – Strategies for Cultivating People While Producing Business Results.” The event — taking place Jan. 30 – Feb. 1 at the Ritz-Carlton, Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida — has gathered industry leaders to connect and conduct association business, notably approving the new members to The Vision Council’s Board of Directors, including incoming chairman Ken Bradley.

During The Vision Council’s annual Business Meeting, the following members were confirmed to The Board of Directors for a second two-year term as directors at large: Kurt Atchison, president of Schneider Optical Machines Inc.; Fabrizio Uguzzoni, president of wholesale North America for Luxottica USA; and Rick Tinson, vice president of inventory and distribution for Hoya Vision Care. Additionally, Sherianne James, chief marketing officer for Essilor of America, was confirmed to serve an initial two-year term as director at large. Finally, the following officers were confirmed for a first one-year term: Ken Bradley, president of Eschenbach Optik of America, as the chairman; Karen Roberts, vice president of global business solutions for Carl Zeiss Vision, as vice chair; Dustin LaValley, Walman Optical Company, as secretary/treasurer; and Mike Hundert, chief executive officer for De Rigo REM, as immediate past chairman. The complete roster for the 2019 Board of Directors can be found at thevisioncouncil.org.

“We have a talented and engaged Board of Directors in place for 2019, comprised of highly qualified and respected industry leaders,” says Ken Bradley, chair of The Vision Council’s Board of Directors. “It’s an honor to serve the industry in this capacity, and I look forward to ensuring that The Vision Council is strong, strategic and constantly evolving to serve the changing needs of an increasingly diverse membership.”

Attendees are also joining in learning more about The Vision Council’s current programs and recent accomplishments, including the successful first year of the Optical Retail Division — which launched at last year’s Executive Summit and now boasts 45 member companies — as well as the Contact Lens Subscription Model Report available through VisionWatch. The Vision Council also touts the more than 1 billion consumer media impressions garnered from National Sunglasses Day; the honor of Vision Expo winning the International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE) Art of the Show Competition for the Social Media category; and the Government & Regulatory Affairs Committee’s effective communication tactics implemented regarding numerous regulatory changes throughout the year.

“It’s wonderful to share The Vision Council’s accomplishments over the last year with industry leaders and the member companies that made it all possible, while at the Executive Summit,” says Ashley Mills, chief executive officer of The Vision Council. “Together we can take the momentum from 2018 and move forward into the new year with energy and the knowhow from the event’s keynote speakers to make 2019 even more successful.”

Coinciding with the event’s theme of contagious leadership, this year’s keynote speakers include such names as former executive at Apple Computer, Tesla Motors and GAP Inc. George Blankenship, expert on the topic of “Conscious Capitalism” Jeff Cherry, author of the top 20 business leadership book Multipliers Liz Wiseman, and well-known economist Brian Beaulieu. The keynotes will discuss topics including the tools and mentality needed to meaningfully redefine customer experience, the power of purpose, how to determine if you’re helping or hindering your employees as a leader, and quick economic forecasts for the future, respectively.

For complete Executive Summit details please visit, thevisioncouncil.org/executivesummit.