Upcoming Educational Events

Upcoming events

  • ABO & NCLE Exam Reviews (Online)

    • January 01, 2023
    • December 31, 2023
    • 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.


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  • Gulf Coast Chapter Education

    • October 22, 2023
    • 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
    • Florida SouthWestern State College, 8099 College Parkway, Ft Myers, FL 33919, Room U-110
    • 12
    Register

      

    GULF COAST CHAPTER PRESENTS

    4 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION

    October 22, 2023


    Florida SouthWestern State College

    Room U-110

    8099 College Parkway

    Ft Myers, FL 33919 


    9:00 a.m. - 9:50 a.m.  -  Drivewear

    Stephen Apat - One (1) Hour Technical


    10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.  -  Finding the Style in Lenses

    Stephen Apat - One (1) Hour Technical


    11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.  -  Optical Correction for Myopia Management

    Ben Konynenbelt, OD, FAAO - One (1) Hour Contact Lens


    12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m.  -  Specialty Lenses for Keratoconus

    Ben Konynenbelt, OD, FAAO - One (1) Hour Contact Lens

    *Refreshments will be provided

    Members - $35.00 education included

     

    Nonmembers - $35.00 + $20.00 per hour


    *Rates increase $10 one week prior to the event-Early registration is recommended  

    *No Onsite Registrations*

    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.

    (CE Provider #50-1645)


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  • POF's West Coast Coast Chapter @ Philippe Park

    • October 28, 2023
    • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • 2525 Philippe Pkwy, Safety Harbor, FL 34695
    • 44
    Register


    Come Join Us for Food, Fun & Quality Optical Education


    Sponsored by:

      

    PROFESSIONAL OPTICIANS OF FLORIDA'S WEST COAST CHAPTER PRESENTS

    Picnic in the Park

    2 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION

    October 28, 2023


    Philippe Park

    2525 Philippe Park

    Safety Harbor, FL 34695


    *In case of rain the CE's will be held at Future Lab, *


    9:45 am - 10:00 am - Registration 


    10:00 am - 10:50 am - How to Create a Magical Experience for Your Clients -1 Hour Elective

    Stephanie A. Kannage


    11:00 am - 11:50 am - Choose Your Words Carefully; They Can Make You or Break You -1 Hour Elective

    Stephanie A. Kannage


    11:50 am - Lunch Provided


    Meal provided and served beginning at 11:50 a.m.

    Member Rate - $30.00         

    Standard Rate - $30.00 + $20.00 per hour of education


    *Rates increase $10 one week prior to the event-Early registration is recommended  

    *No Onsite Registrations*

    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.

    (CE Provider #50-1645)

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  • Space Coast Chapter Education

    • October 29, 2023
    • 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
    • Freedom Optical, 4725 Fay Blvd, Cocoa, FL 32927
    • 27
    Register

      

    SPACE COAST CHAPTER PRESENTS

    4 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION

    October 29, 2023

    FREEDOM OPTICAL


    4725 Fay Blvd

    Cocoa, FL 32927


    7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. - Check In

    8:00 a.m. - 8:50 a.m.  - Contact Lenses: A Lid for Every Pot

    Dr. Gordon Penn - One (1) Hour Contact Lens


    9:00 a.m. – 9:50 a.m. - When Single Vision Isn't Enough

    Nick Veliz, ABOC - One (1) Hour Technical


    10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.  -  Overcoming Inertia: Dealing with Resistance to Change

    Nick Veliz - One (1) Hour Elective


    11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.  -  A Dream Come True! Growing My Independent Optical in a Corporate World

    Stacie Hart Sidwell, LDO - One (1) Hour Elective


    Members - $35.00 education included

     

    Nonmembers - $35.00 + $20.00 per hour


    *Rates increase $10 one week prior to the event-Early registration is recommended  

    *No Onsite Registrations*

    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.

    (CE Provider #50-1645)

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  • 2023 Vision Preview

    • November 03, 2023
    • 10:00 AM
    • November 05, 2023
    • 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 2023  at ! We put together the best educational speakers in Opticianry for this weekend's event.


    Schedule at a Glance


    Friday, November 3rd 

    10:00 am Registration Desk Opens

    12:00 pm CE Courses Start 

    Saturday, November 4th 

    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 5th

    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-$149/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.

    Show details

  • Florida Apprentice Contact Lens Certificate Program @ 2023 Vision Preview

    • November 03, 2023
    • 12:00 PM
    • November 05, 2023
    • 5:00 PM
    • Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center, 11775 Heron Bay Blvd, Coral Springs, FL 33076
    • 12
    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.

    *Online Education Must Be Completed by October 27, 2023*

    Part 2: Clinical Workshop in Coral Springs at POF’s  Vision Preview 2023 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


    Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel

    & Convention Center

    HOTEL RESERVATIONS:  The Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center is pleased to offer POF guests a reduced room rate of $145.00 with resort fees waived.


    For those staying at the hotel, overnight self-parking is reduced to $6 per day.  Daily self-parking is FREE.

    Please use the link above to make your hotel reservations or call the hotel at 1-954-753-5598 and advise the hotel representative that you are with the Vision Preview 2023 group in order to receive the reduced rate.  Please book your room by October 6, 2023.

    BOOK HOTEL

    Due to the nature of this event cancellations up to 2 weeks prior(October 20, 2023) will be issued a credit on their POF account to use for membership or a future education event.  Cancellations after October 20, 2023, education registration fees will not be credited or refunded.

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  • Contact Lens Fitting Course for Board Certification

    • November 03, 2023
    • 12:00 PM
    • November 05, 2023
    • 2:00 PM
    • Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center, 11775 Heron Bay Blvd, Coral Springs, FL 33076
    • 13
    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, October 30:     6:30 - 9:30pm Live Online Webinar*

    Friday, November 3:       Noon - 5:00pm at Summer Showcase, Classroom & Hands-on

    Saturday,  November 4:   9:00 - 5:00pm at Summer Showcase, Classroom & Hands-on

    Sunday,  November 5:    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: 


    Fort Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel

    & Convention Center

    HOTEL RESERVATIONS:  The Ft. Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center is pleased to offer POF guests a reduced room rate of $145.00 with resort fees waived.


    For those staying at the hotel, overnight self-parking is reduced to $6 per day.  Daily self-parking is FREE.

    Please use the link below to make your hotel reservations or call the hotel at 1-954-753-5598 and advise the hotel representative that you are with the Vision Preview 2023 group in order to receive the reduced rate.  Please book your room by October 6, 2023.

    BOOK HOTEL

    Due to the nature of this event cancellations up to 2 weeks prior(October 20, 2023) will be issued a credit on their POF account to use for membership or a future education event. Cancellations after October 20, 2023, education registration fees will not be credited or refunded.

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  • Exhibiting - 2023 Vision Preview

    • November 04, 2023
    • 11:45 AM - 7:00 PM
    • Ft Lauderdale Marriott Coral Springs Hotel & Convention Center, 11775 Heron Bay Blvd, Coral Springs, FL 33076
    • 16
    Register


    Vision Preview 2023 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?

    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 $149 per night or click below to book online. 

    Driving Directions to Hotel



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




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  • POF's West Coast Coast Chapter @ Hillsborough Community College

    • November 29, 2023
    • 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
    • 4001 Tampa Bay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33614, DTSU108
    • 26
    Register

    WEST COAST CHAPTER PRESENTS

    2 HOURS OF CONTINUING EDUCATION

    November 29, 2023 


    Hillsborough Community College

    Building DTSU 108

    4001 Tampa Bay Blvd

    Tampa, FL 33614






    6:30 p.m. – 6:55 p.m.  - Registration 

    7:00 p.m. - 7:50 p.m. - Creating Perceived Value

    Judy Lew, LDO, ABOC, NCLEC - 1 Hour Elective

    8:00 p.m. - 8:50 p.m. - Abbe Value and Refractive Index - The Ongoing Battle

    Thomas Neff, B.A., LDO, ABO-AC, NCLEC - 1 Hour Technical

    Member Rate - $30.00         

    Standard Rate - $30.00 + $20.00 per hour of education


    *Rates increase $10 one week prior to the event-Early registration is recommended  

    *No Onsite Registrations*

    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.

    (CE Provider #50-1645)

    Show details

  • CE's on the Seas 2024

    • January 18, 2024
    • 1:00 PM
    • January 22, 2024
    • 8:00 AM
    • Port of Tampa, 651 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
    • 445
    Register

    CE's on the Seas 2024

    Join POF on a Voyage to Remember

    Sailing out of Tampa, FL to Cozumel, MX


    Join us on Carnival Cruise Lines

    Carnival Paradise 

    *All prices are based on double occupancy. Port fees and taxes are included (gratuities not included)

    Interior Cabin- Starting as low as $358.20

    Oceanview - Starting as low as $395.20

    Porthole, Balcony & Suite - Pricing offered at best available rate.

    Group rates end October 1, 2023 so book now with a deposit to secure your desired cabin, with full payment due October 31, 2023.

    Group Name: POF

    Call your POF Travel Agent:

    Travel Advisers International

    401-427-0806



    Cruise Itinerary:

    Thursday, Jan 18 - Depart Port of Tampa, FL -4:00 PM - 4 hours of education

    Friday, Jan 19 - Fun Day at Sea & 6 hours of education

    Saturday, Jan 20 -Cozumel, Mexico   - 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM

    Sunday, Jan 21 - Fun Day at Sea & 6 hours of education

    Monday, Jan 22 - Arrive Port of Tampa, FL - 8:00 AM -disembark


     

     20 hours of approved Florida and ABO/NCLE credit* while having FUN!

    Due to the nature of this event,

    event education registration fees are non refundable

    *2 hours of Florida Laws & Rules and 2 hours of Reduction of Medical Errors will be offered as a take-to-cabin course and exam.  If you turn in your exam by the end of the cruise, you will receive your CE slip for credit before you disembark.  Those who prefer to complete those courses at your leisure will be given the option to take the courses as home study courses on pofce.org free of charge or to attend the two courses at any live POF event in the 2024 free of charge.

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  • 2024 Spring Spectacle Conference

    • February 23, 2024
    • 10:00 AM (CST)
    • February 25, 2024
    • 2:00 PM (CST)
    • The Island Ft Walton Destin by Hotel RL, 1500 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 Phone: (850) 337-9194
    Register


    Spring Spectacle will be hosted at the beautiful Island Ft Walton Destin by Hotel RL.  

    Here are just some of the benefits for you at this location.

    Low Hotel Room Rates at the The Island, Ft Walton/ Destin by Hotel RL.  Starting as low as $125 per night,

    • Resort fee waived
    • Free Parking
    • Free Wi-Fi.

    Must book room by January 25, 2024

    BOOK HOTEL

    Guests may also book over the phone by calling 850-337-9194.

    Monday through Friday 9:00 am to 6:00 pm CDT to make their reservations.

    ·         Spring Spectacle  offers you the best in Optical Education available anywhere.

    ·         Earn all 20 CE hours for the renewal of your Florida license

    ·         World class education presented by the Nation's Leading Instructors 

    ·         Full Schedule of Education with eight hours of CE on Friday & Saturday

    ·         Apprentice/Sponsor Orientation & Hands-on Frame Fitting Workshop available

    ·         Visit International Optical Vendors & Suppliers at Spring Spectacle

    ·         Attend and support your profession 

    Full Details on Spring Spectacle 2024

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