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Welcome to the 2008 Association of British Dispensing Opticians Annual Conference and Exhibition – A NEW VISION.

Saturday 27 to Monday 29 September 2008

ABDO is pleased to announce that it is launching a completely new format for it’s annual conference and exhibition. This year’s event will be held at the newly refurbished and prestigious Midland Hotel in Manchester’s vibrant city centre.

The Association is urging it’s members and other optical professionals to book early and come along and experience what will be the start of “ A New Vision” for ABDO. The event will encompass an Exhibition Hall with a number of major sponsors including many international names, which we feel proves the underlying enthusiastic support and commitment for what promises to be a major new event in UK Optics.

Confirmed details at this stage include:-

• The Association’s first ever three day Conference and Exhibition event
• A Cocktail reception evening, hosted by , is to be held in Harvey Nichols on Saturday 27 September
• On Sunday 28 September a Celebration Dinner will take place in the gothic splendour of Manchester Town Hall, featuring live music from a spectacular 10 piece live band, sponsored by
• The dinner will be followed by a fun Casino sponsored by
• The grand final of the Challenge Trophy, a competition for student DOs that offers the winners an expenses paid trip to the USA, will be held on the morning of Saturday 27 September
• In conjunction with Optical World and supported by the FMO the introduction of the first ever ‘SpecTech’ forum which will feature new manufacturing innovations and how they can be applied to retail optics -to be held in the afternoon of Saturday 27 September
• International and High Profile Speakers from the UK
• The ABDO Annual General Meeting will be held on Sunday 28 September
• A comprehensive series of CET approved lectures
• A wide and varied programme of business and personal development related seminars
• The ABDO Conference CET lecture and seminar programme will run throughout Sunday 28 and Monday 29 September
• Style Clinic including a fully sponsored day spa offering complimentary treatments in the private surrounding of Joseph Elliot Hair and Beauty at the Midland Hotel(subject to advance bookings and availability) Sponsored by
• A bigger and better exhibition that will include leading names as well as specialist companies, that will run for all three days from Saturday 27 through to Monday 29 September
• The exhibition will showcase a wide range of products and services including frames, sunglasses, lenses, contact lenses, practice management software, instruments and equipment –
• Optical question time, to take place on Monday 29 September
• A comprehensive partners’ programme
• The event also runs in parallel with the 27th Biennial Convention of the International Opticians Association (IOA)