Post from the president

Are you attending Mido in Milan?

Some might suggest that February is the most dismal month of the year, however, it’s also the shortest and often brings with it the first shoots of brighter, warmer, longer days ahead.

In the optical world, this month marks the beginning of trade show season – with Mido (Milan) on 8-10 February taking place hot on the heels of Opti Munich (31 January to 2 February), Vision Expo East (Orlando) on 19-22 February and 100% Optical (London) on 1-3 March. These events offer members a great opportunity to discover and experience a vast array of new technologies and products.

At ABDO, event plans for 2025 are well advanced. The annual FQE Student Revision Event will be held at our National Resource Centre in Birmingham later this month – while ABDO will be providing CPD opportunities at 100% Optical. Do keep an eye on the ABDO website Events pages, your in-boxes and Dispensing Optics Online for ways to obtain those all-important early CPD points and avoid any stress later on in the new three-year cycle.

I note that National Apprenticeship Week is happening between 10-14 February. As you will recall, ABDO began delivering its Level 6 Dispensing Optician Apprenticeship in September 2024, with students enrolling with partner institutes – ABDO College, Bradford College and City & Islington College.

National Apprenticeship Week 2025 is a great opportunity to draw attention to a career in optics. Student numbers are set to increase this year, so why not take this opportunity to access the government funding (England only) and train up the dispensing opticians of tomorrow? Employers who are interested in enrolling students onto the apprenticeship should approach the affiliated institutes direct.

This month is also designated as Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness and Low Vision Awareness Month. Dispensing opticians and optometrists are important contacts for patients with these conditions, and for answering questions upon diagnosis. As usual, these eye and vision awareness events should be embraced and fully advertised on your websites and social media.

I look forward to meeting members in 2025 at national and regional events.

If you would like to contact me then please email kgutsell@abdo.org.uk

This article first appeared in the February 2025 issue of Dispensing Optics.