Have a Question?
Q: How much does it cost to attend?
A: It's free for members and their staff. For non-members, we have a special offer running that offers free registration!
Q: Can I come for just one day?
A: Sure! Just be sure to make the accurate selections during the registration process so we don't count you for meals you won't be attending.
Q: What airport should I fly into?
A: Midway International Airport (MDW) – 24 minutes or O’Hare International Airport (ORD) – 29 minutes
Q: How do I get to from the airport to the hotel?
A: The hotel does not have a shuttle service. We recommend taxis, Uber, or Lyft.
Q: I'm driving. How much is parking?
A: Valet parking is $70 with in/out privileges per day. Self-parking is $57 per day, but is first come, first serve with limited spaces available.
Q: Why aren’t there Roundtables on the agenda?
A: We offer all day Roundtables at our All New Forum Meetings. The next one is in LA on October 19-20, 2018. We know how important peer to peer strategy is though, so we are introducing IDOC Chat at this conference!
Q: What is IDOC Chat?
A: IDOC Chat is a new offering that allows ODs and Office Managers to share best practices with your peers, gain new ideas and insights in a way that allows you to choose the most relevant topics for your practice!
How it will work:
1. The room will be sectioned off into 4 main topics (HR/Staff Management, Marketing, Optical, and Emerging Technologies).
2. Participants will select the three topics they are most interested in and locate the first of those tables. (We recommend having an alternate topic in mind should you find that your first-choice table is full.)
3. Each table will have a list of potential discussion topics.
4. Each round will be 30 minutes and after the end of the round, you will shift to a new table and topic.
Q: What is STATE and why are they offering a tour?
A: Redefining American Luxury, STATE Optical Co. frames are proudly manufactured in Chicago, IL. This line of handmade acetate eyewear celebrates the quality, character, and individual style that make the frames – like the people who wear them – so genuinely authentic, appealing, inspiring and original.
They are located less than an hour from our conference hotel and wanted you to experience STATE while in town! Gain a new appreciation for quality handcrafted goods by taking a closer look at U.S. eyewear manufacturing – built from the ground up – right here in Chicago.
Along with the tour, you’ll learn about Europa’s different brands, meet the craftspeople behind the frames, attend the presentation, Two is the New One - Increasing Multiple Pair Sales, and spend time in the showroom where you can view and try on frames.
Transportation and lunch are provided. Free to attend, but limited spaces are available!
Q: Can I bring a guest to the conference?
A: If your guest is an OD or staff member, please have them register for the meeting. Any other guests not associated with an optometric office are not allowed to attend the conference but are welcome to attend the reception on Wednesday night.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Most attendees dress in business casual. The meetings rooms can get cold, so bring a jacket!