United Opticians Association

04/22/2026

Is May 6th on your calendar? 🗓️

We’re just two weeks away from the State of UOA Webinar with UOA Board Members and Staff. If you want a clear picture of how UOA is advocating for your profession and what’s on the roadmap for the rest of 2026, this is the session to attend.

Quick Facts:

✅ Who: All opticians (Members + Non-members welcome!)
⏰ When: May 6th 7:00 PM EST


Join us for a look at our progress and your future in the industry.

Live Bonus: We’re announcing a live-only giveaway. You’ll want to be there live to take full advantage! 🎁

🔗 Register Today: https://www.opticians.org/event-details/state-of-the-uoa

What’s the roadmap for UOA in 2026?

Whether you’re a longtime member or new to the community, we invite all opticians to join UOA Board Members and Staff for a live State of UOA Webinar. This online briefing is a transparent look at how we are working to support Opticianry. Get the latest on our current progress, upcoming advocacy initiatives, and the strategic direction for the year ahead.

📅 When: May 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST
📍 Where: Live Webinar (Registration Required)

Everyone is welcome, UOA members and future UOA members (non-members) to learn how we are amplifying our collective impact.

Secure your spot: https://www.opticians.org/event-details/state-of-the-uoa

04/21/2026

NEW EPISODE OUT NOW!!

Scott Harris Shapiro, Executive Director, Industry Relations of , joins Gwen Cooper, Executive Director of UOA and Host of Mission:Optician, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation on advocacy, education, and the future of opticianry.


Scott shares why government relations and policy are top priorities and makes the case for helping more opticians recognize the true value and impact of their profession!

Gwen and Scott explore the impact of certification, especially from the consumer’s perspective, and discuss how better-trained opticians can reduce returns, improve patient outcomes, and drive revenue for optical practices.

Plus, Scott reflects on what it was like to grow up in a family business and how he aims to maintain those people-first values as the company grows.

In this episode, you will learn:

👁️ Why advocacy and legislation are essential to advancing opticianry
👁️ What the data reveals about consumer expectations — and how opticians can respond
👁️ Why stronger collaboration among opticians, optometrists, and industry partners benefits everyone

Tune in on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio

Listen to the full conversation at opticians.org/podcast. Link in bio.

04/15/2026

Early Bird ends TONIGHT. ⏳

This is your final chance to lock in the lowest rate for the UOA Leadership Conference in Chicago (June 25–27).

Build the skills and connections that move your career forward alongside the leaders shaping the future of opticianry.

💡 Pro tip: UOA members save the most. Joining now + registering still costs less than the standard non-member rate.

Review the agenda and secure your spot: https://www.uoaleadership.org/agenda

04/11/2026

💥 THE BIG REVEAL! 💥

We’ve promised you a leadership experience like no other at this year’s One Vision | One Voice | One UOA Leadership Conference, and we’re delivering.

We are thrilled to announce our Keynote Speaker: Matt Havens!

Matt is a former corporate leader and a firm believer that we overcomplicate our work by overthinking the solutions. He’s spent 14 years in the trenches of a multi-billion dollar company, and he’s coming to our Eye on Impact Awards Dinner powered by ZEISS Vision to show you how to:

✅ Stop overcomplicating leadership and start seeing results.

✅ Bridge the gap between generations in your practice.

✅ Find the fun in business growth (even during a strategic overhaul).

Whether you’re a student looking to make your mark or a seasoned pro leading a large team, Matt’s approach to leadership is practical, high-energy, and, most importantly, genuinely funny.

📍 Chicago, IL | June 25-27

⏳ Early Bird registration ends April 15. Grab your spot now and join us for the highlight of the year for the optical community.

🔗 https://www.uoaleadership.org/

04/10/2026

It’s time to unify opticianry nationwide!

From defending current licensure and fighting for minimal competencies to closing the perception gap with our patients, we are drawing a new roadmap for the profession.

🎧Listen Now: https://www.opticians.org/podcast

Let's talk! Should certification be required in every state: yes or no? Tell us in the comments.

04/09/2026

THE WINNERS ARE IN!

Huge congratulations to the 15 students and apprentices who have been awarded a grant to attend the One Vision | One Voice | One UOA Leadership Conference in Chicago this June!

A massive thank you to Hoya Eyeglass Lenses for their generous support in investing in the future visionaries of our industry.

⏰ If you haven’t secured your spot in Chicago yet, the clock is officially ticking. Early Bird pricing ends at 11:59 PM ON APRIL 15!

From independent practice owners to state leaders and students, we are meeting in Chicago to define the roadmap for 2026. Be in the room where it happens.

🔗 Claim Early Bird savings before they’re gone: https://www.uoaleadership.org/

04/08/2026

We are thrilled to share this recent feature from Invision Magazine highlighting our very own board member, Pablo E. Mercado, LDO, B.A., ABOM, NCLEC, FNAO!

Pablo’s commitment to United Opticians Association and ABO NCLE helps drive our mission forward every day. His passion for patient care and his unique way of sparking conversations is an inspiration to opticians everywhere.

Check out the full feature here: https://invisionmag.com/a-master-optician-with-an-impressive-frame-and-optical-themed-neckwear-collections/

Who finds solace in time spent with his autistic adult children and driving his old jeep — top and doors off — music playing.

04/07/2026

The wait is over. Mission:Optician is officially LIVE!

Debut episode: Gwen Cooper + Bob Alexander on why the optician’s voice directly impacts the future of the profession and patient outcomes.

Tune in on your favorite platform: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | iHeartRadio | PlayerFM

🔗 Listen to the full episode at opticians.org (just click Podcast on our website).

04/06/2026

What’s the roadmap for UOA in 2026?

Whether you’re a longtime member or new to the community, we invite all opticians to join UOA Board Members and Staff for a live State of UOA Webinar. This online briefing is a transparent look at how we are working to support Opticianry. Get the latest on our current progress, upcoming advocacy initiatives, and the strategic direction for the year ahead.

📅 When: May 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM EST
📍 Where: Live Webinar (Registration Required)

Everyone is welcome, UOA members and future UOA members (non-members) to learn how we are amplifying our collective impact.

Secure your spot: https://www.opticians.org/event-details/state-of-the-uoa

04/03/2026

We’re proud to support Opticians Association of Oregon’s optical community and partner on this important opportunity. Investing in education and certification is how we strengthen both individual careers and the profession as a whole. Looking forward to seeing the impact this workshop creates!

👓✨ ABO Prep Course Announcement!
We’re excited to share an incredible opportunity for Oregon’s developing optical community, an ABO Prep Course led by the amazing Dr. Aceto, proudly sponsored by United Opticians Association 👏

As our state continues to grow and our industry evolves, strong education and certification confidence are more important than ever. This course is designed to empower opticians with the knowledge, skills, and preparation needed to succeed on the American Board of Opticianry certification exam.

Whether you're building your foundation or leveling up your career, this is your moment to invest in your future and strengthen our profession together.

📚 Learn. Prepare. Grow.
💪 Build confidence through education.
🌟 Join a community committed to excellence.

🔗 Registration link in our bio- OAO Spring Conference 2026! ☝️

04/02/2026

What happens when you pair a 2026 Eyecare Business Game Changer with a Master Optician who has seen every side of the lab? You get Mission:Optician.

Meet the hosts behind your new bi-weekly podcast:

🎙️ Gwen Cooper, MPA CFRE | The Advocate

Gwen isn’t just our Executive Director; she’s a radio veteran who spent a decade on-air before leading national healthcare advocacy. Named a 2026 Eyecare Business Game Changer, Gwen knows how to shake up the world (as she says in Episode 1) to ensure the work of the 73,000 opticians is finally understood by lawmakers and consumers alike.

🛠️ Bob Alexander, ABOM, NCLEM | The Master Optician

If there’s a certification in this industry, Bob has mastered it. From wholesale labs to global education for brands like Maui Jim and HOYA, Bob is a self-proclaimed "Optical Nerd" driven by one goal: unifying the profession through elite education. He’s spent his career in the trenches and is here to share the intel you need to lead yours.

Why this pair?

As Bob puts it in our debut: "We’re drawing a map that’s never been drawn before."

Gwen brings the strategy and the megaphone; Bob brings the technical precision and the legacy. Together, they are bridging the gap between advocacy and the dispensing desk.

Mission:Optician officially launches April 7.

👇 Who do you want to see Gwen and Bob interview? Tell us in the comments!

04/01/2026

Our Executive Director, Gwen Cooper, speaks to leadership and the opportunity in front of this profession.

Thank you to Insight Media Group for the HER Insight Podcast feature!