We’ll gather and learn from many outstanding speakers, who we have been introducing here over the past few months. You won’t want to miss Mile Brujic, OD, FAAO, on Wednesday morning, as he addresses two important clinical topics:

• Rule These Out Before You Diagnose It As Dry Eye: This two-hour course focuses on differentiating dry eye disease from other ocular surface conditions with similar presentations.

• OCT for the Anterior Segment: This course will explore clinical utilization for anterior segment OCT for anterior disease management and contact lens design.

Dr. Brujic is a partner of Premier Vision Group, a successful four-location optometric practice in Northwest Ohio. He practices full scope optometry with an emphasis on ocular disease management of the anterior segment and specialty contact lenses. He has published more than 450 articles and is well-known international lecturer on contemporary topics in eye care.

☆ Join Us Monday Night

Photo courtesy of the Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Our Monday night event takes us to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home to many kinds of rescued sea creatures. It’s also the film location for the Dolphin Tale movies, featuring the inspiring story of Winter the dolphin.

Journey with us to the aquarium via the Clearwater Trolleys. We look forward to sharing this lively night of networking with all of you!

☆ Don’t Miss Your Stipend Opportunity

Our Member Rewards Program allows you to receive stipends for attendance, but you must be registered at least 4 weeks before the meeting. That means that time is running out to take advantage of this opportunity to get $600 for ODs and owners and $300 for managers.

Get all of the details on the Clearwater 2025 page, and register today!

All of the important SNAPP Group links you need are now in one place: our SNAPP Group link tree. Find what you need or share our group with a colleague!

Through the years managing both one and two locations, Plumb says that the SNAPP Group and its membership has provided great support to his business. It’s an ever-evolving group, as the SNAPP Board listens to its members and continues to provide enhanced experiences and education.

Focus Solely on SNAPP

Plumb saves the dates for the SNAPP Group meeting on his schedule each year. He’s particularly looking forward to this year in Clearwater, a destination located just a road trip away from home. Also, this year, the meeting will be held independently of other trade shows.

That’s a major benefit, he says. He’s appreciative that the SNAPP Board acted from member feedback and detached the meeting. Now, he can strategically plan to attend meetings of importance to him without being out of the office for a whole week at once.

Meeting Perks

Each meeting brings value to his business, and he is excited to visit the other cities that are selected for future meetings. The SNAPP Group keep topics and engagement interesting. He details a few favorite things about the event that keep him returning each year.

• Learn about timely topics. Plumb is intrigued to learn more about the connection between AI and eye care. While its impact can feel scary at times, he knows that SNAPP will help shine a spotlight on how it can help his business. “Whether you like it or not, AI will be entrenched in our industry sooner rather than later,” he says. “It will be nice to get some information and take away the benefits. I hope we, as an optical industry, can navigate the waters of AI in a positive way that gives us better outcomes in the end. Let’s all get on board and find out the best way to tackle it—head on. If used properly, it will be a benefit to our industry.”

• Meet your fellow LOs. Each year, SNAPP Board Member Milissa Stone leads the group through a meet-and-greet session that is always valuable. It offers a personal atmosphere where members can be comfortable in honest conversations and asking questions. He’s learned many business tidbits through connections made with other LO business owners who understand his work. “I always get something out of it,” he says.

• Hear from quality speakers. He looks forward to seeing who is on the agenda each time. From the newer speakers to those who return, everyone brings interesting ideas to the table. Plumb particularly likes to hear from Joe DeLoach, OD, on HIPAA compliance issues. “He is a great speaker. He points me in the right direction. You want to listen to what he has to say.”

• Get paid to attend. In a world where everything is costing more, you can get paid to attend the SNAPP meeting and improve your business. Plumb says that he preaches this point to other franchise owners he meets. “You can walk out the door with a check in your hand,” he says. “No one does that other than SNAPP.”

Plumb appreciates that the SNAPP Board has cultivated a group that continues to help him with his business. He’s grateful that many of them have become not just colleagues but also friends. “I will always go,” he says.

Security Rules Update

By Practice Performance Partners (PPP)

Cyberattacks are one of the most significant risks facing optometrists. Every practice has cyber risk—from ransomware, phishing emails or other cyberattacks.

There’s a lot to know and keep track of. Here’s a rundown of important elements to monitor, from cyber insurance coverage to risk assessments, establishing policies and staff training. Read more.

Questions can be directed to info@practiceperformancepartners.com.

By Becca Bailey, Sales Optimization Expert

Encouraging patients to purchase an annual supply of contact lenses benefits both the practice and the patient. For practices, it creates steadier cash flow, higher capture rates and improved patient loyalty. For patients, it reduces the risk of lapses in contact lens wear, supports better eye health and often saves them money through rebates or bundled pricing.

Despite these advantages, many practices still see patients opting for smaller, incremental purchases or turning to online retailers. The key is addressing patient hesitations while making the annual supply decision easy and appealing. Here are a few practical strategies to help more patients choose annual supplies.

1. Communicate Value and Convenience
Patients often assume an annual supply costs more. Take time to show them the per-box price, available rebates, and savings on shipping or visits. Plus, reinforce the convenience factor by highlighting that ordering once means fewer hassles and no risk of running out.

2. Offer Flexible Options
The upfront cost can be a barrier. Practices can reduce friction by offering payment plans or subscriptions that spread out costs. Offering direct shipping to the patient’s home, and return or exchange policies can also ease concerns about prescription changes.

3. Make Reminders Routine
Even if patients don’t commit to an annual supply at first, consistent follow-up can capture the sale later. Automated reminders via text or email prompt timely reorders and help ensure patients never run out of lenses.

4. Equip and Coach Your Team
Your team plays a central role in helping patients see the value of annual supplies. Review your practice’s annual supply rate regularly, celebrate progress and use role-playing to build confidence in patient conversations.

It’s also important to prepare staff with responses to common objections like “I don’t wear lenses every day” or “I can’t afford to pay for a year upfront.” Consistent, empathetic messaging ensures patients feel understood while still recognizing the benefits of ordering annually.

Download this free resource for practical scripts your team can use.

Becca Bailey has developed and honed a passion for helping people see better and making the eye care experience as simple as possible for patients and practitioners. She spent years working in an independent eye care practice where she developed a deep understanding of key touchpoints in the patient journey, from the exam lane to the optical. Now, she leverages her expertise to support and coach both independent offices and the country's largest eye care retailers in optimizing and growing their contact lens businesses while providing exceptional patient care.

Photo credits—Clearwater Marine Aquarium: Exterior shot of aquarium | Getty images: listening ear: Oleksandr Shchus; what's new: canbedone; contact lens: Alessandro de Leo; heart: InspirationGP; eye: Daniel R. Haug