October 18 (9:00AM) - 19 (4:00PM), 2025

2025 OAK Fall Convention & Apprentice Training

2 days of In-Person Continuing Education

Hyatt Regency, 401 High Street, Lexington, KY 40507

Registration will open 09/01/2025.  A $15 earlybird registration fee is available until 9/14/2025.  A late fee of $75 goes into effect on 10/05/2025

Sign in begins at 8:00 AM.  Meeting starts promptly at 9:00 AM.

Continuing Education - One Tract ABO & NCLE Education

Saturday, October 18, 2025 - $185 Member or $325 Non-member

Sunday, October 19, 2025 - $185 Member or $325 Non-member

Both Days - $295 Member or $475 Non-member

Price includes 6 hours of continuing education and lunch.

Apprentice Training - Saturday NCLE Review & Sunday ABO Review

Members - $140   Non-Members - $265

Price includes 6 hours of continuing education and lunch.

Featured Speakers:

Phernell Walker ABOM, NCLEC		Bill Gerber ABO, NCLE, COPE
Licensed Dispensing Optician; Commissioner, Commission on Opticianry Accreditation; Director, American Board of Opticianry (ABO); Treasurer, United Opticians Association (UOA); Internationally-recognized speaker; VP of Optometric Relations at VSP Eyefinity; MBA, BS in Business, and an AS in Ophthalmic Optics. He is the recipient of the prestigious "Beverly Myer’s Achievement Award" in Ophthalmic Optics, the "Joseph Bruneni Award" in Optics by the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, and "Educator of the Year" from the National Academy of Opticianry.   With a career spanning over three decades, his renowned textbook Pure Optics is in its third edition.		Bill Gerber is the Founder + CEO of Omg! Optical Marketing Group and Contentlinq. His companies focus on creating highly engaging optical spaces and extraordinary customer experiences. He serves on the Vision Council and is a strategic advisor to many of the most successful companies in our field. He is also an award winning speaker, author, emcee & drummer. Bill is considered the eyecare industry’s leading expert in design and customer experience. His work can be found in over 15,000 optometry practices / optical stores worldwide, online and in the ethos of modern optical design. Bill and his team are currently focused on creating next level optical retail experiences.
Robert J. Russo PhD, ABOC, NCLEC
A professor emeritus, he is the past chairperson of Vision Care Technology and was the anatomy and physiology, contact lens, and ophthalmic business practices coordinator. Presently, Professor Russo is an adjunct professor at Middlesex Community College, Middletown, Connecticut. Professor Russo holds an Associate Degree in Ophthalmic Dispensing, a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management, and a Master of Arts degree in Education. He has been named “Educator of the Year” by the National Federation of Opticianry Schools, "Optician of the Year” by the New York State Society of Opticians, and received the National Academy of Opticianry’s “Joseph Bruneni Memorial Education Achievement Award".