The United Opticians Association (UOA) brought opticianry leaders, educators, students, industry partners, and more to Chicago for the 2026 One Vision | One Voice | One UOA Leadership Conference. Held June 25–27, the three-day meeting was designed around discovery, professional growth, and the continued effort to strengthen the national voice of opticians.
The conference gave attendees several opportunities to learn more about the present and future of the profession, including hands-on labs, behind-the-scenes tours, educator programming, advocacy sessions, technology discussions, and other educational programming
Here are some of the key moments and takeaways.
Educators, Innovators & Explorers
The conference opened with a full day built around hands-on learning and professional connection. Day One programming gave attendees opportunities to test new technology, learn from industry innovators, and connect with peers from across the country.
Highlights included innovator labs featuring MEI Systems, EssilorLuxottica, Optikam, and eyebot, as well as exclusive group tours of Europa Eyewear and MEI Systems Chicago headquarters. The day also included an Educators Conference powered by Smart Mirror AI.
The first day concluded with a Welcome Reception that allowed attendees to reconnect, network, and capture memories from the conference at a photo booth.
Advocacy, Educate & Elevate
Day Two expanded the conversation to advocacy, leadership, and the future direction of opticianry. Sessions explored advocacy from multiple angles, including federal and state issues, while breakout sessions examined topics such as contact lenses and smart technology.
In addition, the Vendor Fair offered attendees a look at new products, services, and technologies across the industry.
Get Certified. Stay Certified.
During its Leadership Conference, the UOA debuted its “Get Certified. Stay Certified.” Initiative, which is designed to support certification, strengthen professional standards, and elevate the role of opticians in health care.
The initiative encourages opticians to view certification not only as an individual career milestone, but also as part of a broader effort to create a clear, consistent professional standard that demonstrates expertise, strengthens public trust, and supports the future of opticianry.
Through the campaign, UOA is inviting opticians to access certification study resources, including exam prep tools, and learn more about certification requirements and examination information.
Recognizing Leaders in Opticianry
The Eye on Impact Awards Dinner, presented by Zeiss, recognized individuals whose leadership, service, advocacy, education and innovation continue to strengthen opticianry.
The 2026 honorees were:
- Leader of the Year: Sandy Brown, ABOM, NCLEC, General Manager Recruiter, Visionworks.
- Educator of the Year: Mary Seguiti, ABO-AC, NCLE-AC, ii’s Optical, Odessa, Fla.
- Rising Star: Heather Branderhorst, President, Opticians Association of Oregon.
The evening also featured special recognitions honoring Blair Wong, founding member and Board President of GoodVision USA as International Optician of the Year and celebrating Al Barracato on his 90th birthday. Plus, keynote speaker Matt Havens’ presentation focused on leadership and clarity.
Power to Purpose
The conclusion of the conference shifted the focus toward action and the future of UOA. Programming included micro-learning sessions on opticianry subspecialties and the UOA Delegate Assembly, where delegates helped set priorities and elect the FY27 board.
UOA also announced that the 2027 UOA Conference will take place June 24–26, 2027, in Minneapolis, Minn.