International Vision Expo & Conference has announced that Gary Gerber,
OD, Chief Dream Officer at The Power Practice and host of “The Power
Hour,” will broadcast live from International Vision Expo East (held March
14-17, 2013) on Saturday, March 16 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. in the Medical &
Scientific Theater at the Javits Center in New York City. “The Power Hour”
radio shows are sponsored by Essilor of America, Inc.
“The show is optometry’s only live talk radio broadcast and we’re very excited to be bringing it to our audience live from Vision Expo East,” said Dr. Gerber. “We’ve had more than 10,000 downloads of previous shows and are pleased to have the opportunity to bring the show right to the doorstep of the professional eye care community during Vision Expo!”
During the live Vision Expo show, “The Power Hour” discussion will focus on what can be done to reduce the influx of private practices that are closing their doors.
According to Dr. Gerber, 72 percent of third-year optometry students want to start their careers as an independent practice owner but due to college-related debt, only 15 percent actually become owners within their first few years out of school. Meanwhile, 500 independent practices are closing each year as mass market retailers take a larger market share fueled by large advertising and marketing budgets, and strong brand identity.
During the live broadcast, attendees and listeners will hear from a young doctor who went through the steps to finance his practice, as well as an established practice owner, Denis Humphreys, OD, who is now in the process of transitioning his practice for sale. Also joining the show will be Bob Schultz, president and CEO of Vision One Credit Union, and Howard Purcell, OD, FAAO, vice president of customer development for Essilor of America. Together, they will discuss their respective company’s commitments to ensuring practices continue to operate profitably while helping to reduce the number of doors that are closing.
Stop by or tune in to learn strategies and options for profitability at any stage of practice, whether you are just starting out, mid-career or retiring and transitioning out of practice.
The Internet-based talk radio show launched eight months ago and can be heard every Wednesday night at 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time via phone or online (www.PowerHour.info). Attendees can call in to the show by dialing (646) 716-8746. The free program serves as a live discussion vehicle for current practice-building events in optometry, political viewpoints and clinical topics.
