Upcoming Educational Events

Upcoming events

    • January 01, 2024
    • December 31, 2024
    • Online
    Register

    Professional Opticians of Florida have partnered with WINK Productions to offer a new on-line program developed to review the fundamentals needed to help you prepare for the American Board of Opticianry (ABO) and the National Contact Lens Examiners (NCLE) Certification Examinations required for licensure in Florida.

    Each virtual interactive lesson consists of slides, audio, speaker notes and a quiz, allowing you to review and complete the training independently. Online testing can make sure the most important information is understood. And, interactive education is more fun and more likely to be retained.

    Your email confirmation will include information on accessing the review courses.


    POF is happy to offer an optician-friendly cancellation policy. If you need to cancel for any reason, POF will give you a 100% credit towards a future event, no explanation needed. Just send us a note confirming you cannot attend & we will credit your account after the event.


    • March 19, 2024
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • Webinar-Online
    Register

    All Florida Apprentices are required to attend an approved two-hour Apprentice/Sponsor Orientation course within one year of registering for

    their program. This webinar will fulfill your orientation course requirement and it includes the latest requirements, current deadlines, new exam updates and educational options for Apprentices.

    A limited number of spaces are available during the webinar, and they will be offered on a first-come first-served basis. Sponsors of Apprentices can participate on the space available basis, however, this webinar will NOT be available for CE credit to Florida Opticians.

    This webinar is FREE to all Future Optician Members of POF and the standard rate of only $29 for Apprentices that are not members of POF. Join POF as a Future Optician Member for only $45 a year for the many benefits, including this Webinar. 

    Join POF


    • May 03, 2024
    • 10:00 AM
    • May 05, 2024
    • 2:00 PM
    • Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, 333 1st St. SE Saint Petersburgh, FL 33701
    Register

    We are looking forward to seeing you and your colleagues at the Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront for West Coast Better Vision 2024.

    You can look forward to multiple educational options every hour so that you can choose the topics and a schedule that fit your needs. We have scheduled a full, education-packed weekend for Opticians, Apprentice Opticians, and Student Opticians.


    For Full Details on West Coast Better Vision


    Schedule at a Glance


    Friday, May 3, 2024

    10:00 am Registration Desk Opens

    12:00 pm CE Courses Start 

    Saturday, May 4, 2024

    7:30 am Registration Desk Opens

    8:00 am CE Courses Start 

    11:45 am Lunch & Trade Show

    Once education ends on Saturday, please join us for Happy Hour in the Trade Show followed by Rock with the Doc and The Pupils 

    Sunday, May 5, 2024

    7:30am Registration Desk Opens

    8:00am CE Courses Start 


      Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront


      • Only 7 Miles from the Majestic Sands of St. Pete Beach
      • 15 Miles to St. Petersburg/ Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
      • 22 Miles from Tampa International Airport (TPA)
      • Hotel rooms only $152/night
      • 25% off posted valet: Self parking options at local garages within walking distance of the property
      • No Resort fees
      • 48 Hr Cancellation policy


      333 1st St SE, Saint Petersburg, Florida, 33701-4342

      800-445-8667

      Group #: POF - West Coast Better Vision

      Please book by April 10, 2024

      BOOK HOTEL


      Driving Directions to Hilton St. Petersburg



      POF is happy to offer an optician-friendly cancellation policy. If you need to cancel for any reason, POF will give you a 100% credit towards a future event, no explanation needed. Just send us a note confirming you cannot attend & we will credit your account after the event.

      • May 04, 2024
      • 11:45 AM - 7:00 PM
      • Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront, 333 1st Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
      Register

      West Coast Better Vision Tabletop Exhibits

      • Tabletop exhibit fee of $495 includes:
      • One (1) six-foot draped table
      • One (1) sign
      • and two (2) representative name badges.
      • Additional representative badges are available at $25 each.
      • Electricity is NOT included.
      • One additional table is available for $100, if you bring or if we provide it.
      • Hotel accommodations are not included.


      West Coast Better Vision will be held at:

      Hilton St. Petersburg Bayfront


      Only 7 Miles from the Majestic Sands of St. Pete Beach
      15 Miles to St. Petersburg/ Clearwater International Airport (PIE)
       22 Miles from Tampa International Airport (TPA)
      Hotel rooms only $152/night
      25% off posted valet: Self parking options at local garages within walking distance of the property
      No Resort fees
      48 Hr Cancellation policy

      333 1st St SE, Saint Petersburg, Florida, 33701-4342

      800-445-8667

      Group #: POF - West Coast Better Vision

      Please book by April 10, 2024

      BOOK HOTEL


      Prefer to not register online?

      Click here to download the 2024 POF Exhibitor Agreement

      • July 23, 2024
      • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
      • Webinar-Online
      Register

      All Florida Apprentices are required to attend an approved two-hour Apprentice/Sponsor Orientation course within one year of registering for

      their program. This webinar will fulfill your orientation course requirement and it includes the latest requirements, current deadlines, new exam updates and educational options for Apprentices.

      A limited number of spaces are available during the webinar, and they will be offered on a first-come first-served basis. Sponsors of Apprentices can participate on the space available basis, however, this webinar will NOT be available for CE credit to Florida Opticians.

      This webinar is FREE to all Future Optician Members of POF and the standard rate of only $29 for Apprentices that are not members of POF. Join POF as a Future Optician Member for only $45 a year for the many benefits, including this Webinar. 

      Join POF


      • September 13, 2024
      • 10:00 AM
      • September 15, 2024
      • 2:00 PM
      • Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, 14651 Chelonia Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32821
      Register

      Your friends at Professional Opticians of Florida look forward to you joining us at Summer Showcase 2023  at The Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek! We put together the best educational speakers in Opticianry for this weekend's event.


      For Full Details on  Summer Showcase Click Here


      Schedule at a Glance


      Friday, September 13th 

      10:00 am Registration Desk Opens

      12:00 pm CE Courses Start 

      Saturday, September 14th 

      7:30 am Registration Desk Opens

      8:00 am CE Courses Start 

      11:45 am Lunch & Trade Show

      Once education ends on Saturday, please join us for Happy Hour in the Trade Show followed by Opticians After Dark  

      Sunday, September 15th

      7:30am Registration Desk Opens

      8:00am CE Courses Start 


      For the  Summer Showcase Education Schedule Click Here

      Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek

      14651 Chelonia Pkwy

      Orlando, FL 32821

      (407) 390-2300

      Please call The Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek 407-390-2300 and ask for the Professional Opticians of Florida group rate of $159 per night or click below to book online.  Please book before August 20, 2024.  

      Driving Directions to Hotel



      • Resort fee waived
      • Self-Parking $15
      • Valet Parking $38




      To ensure your stay is both convenient and cost-effective, POF secures a limited number of rooms at an exclusive group rate. The deadline to secure your special group rate is listed under each event, and availability if first-come, first-served. Once the block is sold out, this discounted rate will no longer be available. 

      Act promptly and reserve your room today!

      Book Hotel


      POF is happy to offer an optician-friendly cancellation policy. If you need to cancel for any reason, POF will give you a 100% credit towards a future event, no explanation needed. Just send us a note confirming you cannot attend & we will credit your account after the event.

      • September 13, 2024
      • 12:00 PM
      • September 15, 2024
      • 4:00 PM
      • Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, 14651 Chelonia Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32821
      • 21
      Register

      Florida Apprentice Contact Lens Certificate Program

      POF's  32 hours of training in Contact Lenses meets and exceeds the Apprenticeship Requirements and Training Program for an Apprentice with a sponsor that is not Board Certified. (FL Admin Rule 64B12-16.003)

      Professional Opticians of Florida (POF)  has formulated their experience and resources to offer a contact lens program designed specifically for Apprentice Opticians in Florida. This new 32-hour course will be offered in two parts: 13 hours of on-line training, plus 19 hours of live and hands-on clinical training offered at this conference.

      Part 1: Available Online in advance of workshop

      The first part of the program is delivered on-line and covers contact Lens theory in carefully designed modules that can be completed at your own pace and in advance of the live hands-on clinical Part 2.

      Part 2: Clinical Workshop in Orlando at POF’s  Summer Showcase 2024 Event

      This part of the program is offered as a clinical workshop model, which is delivered over a three-day weekend. You will spend nineteen (19) hours with highly skilled contact lens instructors learning the key concepts of Contact Lens fitting firsthand. 


      Be sure to register for the Certificate program now and complete the 13 hours of training online in Part 1 before live clinicals  to be eligible to take the clinical workshops listed above.

      Discounted POF Members Registration Total: $425 (including a complimentary one-year POF apprentice membership)


      For additional information on any of these Apprentice Training programs or to register, visit:  POF.org/apprentice.



       MORE on the Florida Apprentice Contact Lens Certificate Program

      Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek

      14651 Chelonia Pkwy

      Orlando, FL 32821

      (407) 390-2300

      Please call The Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek 407-390-2300 and ask for the Professional Opticians of Florida group rate of $159 per night or click below to book online.  Please book before August 20, 2024.  

      Driving Directions to Hotel



      • Resort fee waived
      • Self-Parking $15
      • Valet Parking $38




      To ensure your stay is both convenient and cost-effective, POF secures a limited number of rooms at an exclusive group rate. The deadline to secure your special group rate is listed under each event, and availability if first-come, first-served. Once the block is sold out, this discounted rate will no longer be available. 

      Act promptly and reserve your room today!

      Book Hotel

      POF is happy to offer an optician-friendly cancellation policy. If you need to cancel for any reason, POF will give you a 100% credit towards a future event, no explanation needed. Just send us a note confirming you cannot attend & we will credit your account after the event.

      • September 13, 2024
      • 12:00 PM
      • September 15, 2024
      • 2:00 PM
      • Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, 14651 Chelonia Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32821
      • 16
      Register


      FLORIDA's 20 HOUR CONTACT LENS

      FITTING COURSE   For Florida Board Certification

      A 20 hour course covering state-of-the-art contact lens technologies and fitting techniques presented by the Professional Opticians of Florida.

      Become a Florida Board Certified Optician

      Earn the required 20 hours of training for your State Board of Opticianry Certification. This course fulfills the educational requirement to enable Florida opticians to fill, fit, adapt, and dispense contact lenses without the supervision of the prescriber. FL Statue 484.002(6)

      Education Schedule: New format with an advance live online webinar

      Monday, September 9:     6:30 - 9:30pm Live Online Webinar*

      Friday, September 13:       Noon - 5:00pm at Summer Showcase, Classroom & Hands-on

      Saturday,  September 14:   9:00 - 5:00pm at Summer Showcase, Classroom & Hands-on

      Sunday,  September 15:    9:00 - 2:00pm at Summer Showcase, Classroom

        



      The course will include discussion and review of the following topics:

      • Optical anatomy and physiology
      • Indications and contra-indications of contact lens fitting
      • Identification of abnormal responses secondary to contact lens wear
      • Basic rigid and soft lens design
      • Fitting and follow-up care
      • Identify fluorescein contact lens patterns
      • Special lens designs and fittings
      • Review of clinical fitting case examples
      • 4 hour hands-on workshop with slit-lamps & keratometers

       

      Additional Information

      LOCATION: 

      Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek

      14651 Chelonia Pkwy

      Orlando, FL 32821

      (407) 390-2300

      Please call The Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek 407-390-2300 and ask for the Professional Opticians of Florida group rate of $159 per night or click below to book online.  Please book before August 20, 2024.  

      Driving Directions to Hotel



      • Resort fee waived

      • Self-Parking $15

      • Valet Parking $38




      To ensure your stay is both convenient and cost-effective, POF secures a limited number of rooms at an exclusive group rate. The deadline to secure your special group rate is listed under each event, and availability if first-come, first-served. Once the block is sold out, this discounted rate will no longer be available. 

      Act promptly and reserve your room today!

      Book Hotel


      Due to the nature of this event cancellations up to 2 weeks prior(August 30, 2024) will be issued a credit on their POF account to use for membership or a future education event. Cancellations after August 30, 2024, education registration fees will not be credited or refunded.

      • September 14, 2024
      • 8:30 AM
      • September 15, 2024
      • 3:30 PM
      • Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, 14651 Chelonia Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32821
      Register

       

      LIVE ABO/NCLE Basic Certification Exam Prep Courses:

      September 14 & 15, 2024

      POF, in conjunction with the National Federation of Opticianry Schools (NFOS), is pleased to offer ABO and NCLE live Basic Certification Exam Prep Courses. These live ABO/NCLE exam preps are 6 hours each and are conducted by full time Opticianry program instructors who will review the exam materials and assist you in your exam preparations. Instructors will answer your questions and help you prepare by studying appropriate materials in advance of your exam. 


      NCLE Basic Certification Exam Prep Course

      Saturday, September 14, 2024

      8:15 am Attendee check-in

      8:30 -12:00 pm Welcome & Instruction: Exam Review

      12:00 -1:00 pm Lunch on your own

      1:00 -3:25 pm Instruction: Exam Review

      3:25 -3:30 pm Evaluations, Wrap up & Thank you


      ABO Basic Certification Exam Prep Course

      Sunday, September 15, 2024

      8:15 am Attendee check-in

      8:30 -12:00 pm Welcome & Instruction: Exam Review

      12:00 -1:00 pm Lunch on your own

      1:00 -3:25 pm Instruction: Exam Review

      3:25 -3:30 pm Evaluations, Wrap up & Thank you




      IMPORTANT NOTICE: POF and all other exam review courses can only be a part of a comprehensive study program. Successful exam candidates have used these POF exam review courses to answer questions and solidify knowledge gained by studying the recommended materials in advance of the reviews and exams. Both ABO & NCLE exams cover vast areas of knowledge from years of experience. We strongly recommend that you use this review course in conjunction with adequate individual study of quality review materials.  POF’s recommended study guides for both the ABO and NCLE exams are available on the POF MarketPlace of this website.


      Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek

      14651 Chelonia Pkwy

      Orlando, FL 32821

      (407) 390-2300

      Please call The Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek 407-390-2300 and ask for the Professional Opticians of Florida group rate of $159 per night or click below to book online.  Please book before August 20, 2024.  

      Driving Directions to Hotel



      • Resort fee waived
      • Self-Parking $15
      • Valet Parking $38




      To ensure your stay is both convenient and cost-effective, POF secures a limited number of rooms at an exclusive group rate. The deadline to secure your special group rate is listed under each event, and availability if first-come, first-served. Once the block is sold out, this discounted rate will no longer be available. 

      Act promptly and reserve your room today!

      Book Hotel


      POF is happy to offer an optician-friendly cancellation policy. If you need to cancel for any reason, POF will give you a 100% credit towards a future event, no explanation needed. Just send us a note confirming you cannot attend & we will credit your account after the event.

      • September 14, 2024
      • 11:45 AM - 7:00 PM
      • Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek, 14651 Chelonia Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32821
      Register


      Summer Showcase 2024 Tabletop Exhibits

      Tabletop exhibit fee includes one (1) six foot table, one (1) sign and two (2) representative name badges. Additional representative badges are available at $25 each. Electricity is NOT included. One (1) additional table is available for $100 if you bring it or if we provide it. Hotel accommodations are not included.


      Do you to prefer to register offline?

      Click here to download the 2024 POF Exhibitor Agreement.

      Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek

      14651 Chelonia Pkwy

      Orlando, FL 32821

      (407) 390-2300

      Please call The Wyndham Grand Orlando Resort Bonnet Creek 407-390-2300 and ask for the Professional Opticians of Florida group rate of $159 per night or click below to book online.  Please book before August 20, 2024.  

      Driving Directions to Hotel



      • Resort fee waived
      • Self-Parking $15
      • Valet Parking $38




      To ensure your stay is both convenient and cost-effective, POF secures a limited number of rooms at an exclusive group rate. The deadline to secure your special group rate is listed under each event, and availability if first-come, first-served. Once the block is sold out, this discounted rate will no longer be available. 

      Act promptly and reserve your room today!

      Book Hotel

      • November 01, 2024
      • 10:00 AM
      • November 03, 2024
      • 2:00 PM
      • Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center, 11775 Heron Bay Blvd, Coral Springs, FL 33076
      Register

      Your friends at Professional Opticians of Florida look forward to you joining us at Vision Preview 2024  at

      Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs

      Hotel & Convention Center! We put together the best educational speakers in Opticianry for this weekend's event.


      Schedule at a Glance


      Friday, November 1st 

      10:00 am Registration Desk Opens

      12:00 pm CE Courses Start 

      Saturday, November 2nd 

      7:30 am Registration Desk Opens

      8:00 am CE Courses Start 

      11:45 am Lunch & Trade Show

      Once education ends on Saturday, please join us for Happy Hour in the Trade Show followed by Opticians After Dark  

      Sunday, November 3rd

      7:30am Registration Desk Opens

      8:00am CE Courses Start 

      For the Vision Preview Education Schedule Click Here

      Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs

      Hotel & Convention Center


      • Group Rate-$145/night
      • Resort Fee Waived
      • $6 Overnight Parking
      • Free Daily Parking





      11775 Heron Bay Blvd.

      Coral Springs, FL 33076

       954-753-5598

      Book Hotel

      POF is happy to offer an optician-friendly cancellation policy. If you need to cancel for any reason, POF will give you a 100% credit towards a future event, no explanation needed. Just send us a note confirming you cannot attend & we will credit your account after the event.

      • November 02, 2024
      • 11:45 AM - 7:00 PM
      • Ft Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center, 11775 Heron Bay Blvd, Coral Springs, FL 33076
      • 27
      Register


      Vision Preview 2024 Tabletop Exhibits

      Tabletop exhibit fee includes one (1) six foot table, one (1) sign and two (2) representative name badges. Additional representative badges are available at $25 each. Electricity is NOT included. Hotel accommodations are not included.


      Do you to prefer to register offline?

      Download fillable PDF Form.


      Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel

      &

      Convention Center

      11775 Heron Bay Blvd

      Coral Springs, FL 33076

      Phone(954) 753-5598

      Please call The Ft Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel 954-753-55989 and ask for the Professional Opticians of Florida group rate of $145 per night or click below to book online. 


      • Resort Fees Waived
      • Overnight-Parking $6
      • Daily  Parking - FREE




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