See & Savor: Dinner with Insight
What happens when the Optical Professionals of Minnesota team up with a stellar vendor partner? You get an unforgettable Opti-Pop Up event and Mankato showed up in style.
A massive THANK YOU to Cooper Vision and Tim Floyd for sponsoring and bringing the 1 ABO credit course to life. The topic, Managing Without a Managed Care Mind, was presented by Karen Michaelson, ABOC, and Tim Floyd, and it sparked real energy in the room.
Held at the fun and edgy 418 Room in Mankato, the atmosphere was buzzing. Attendees mixed, mingled, and enjoyed fantastic food and drinks. The weather was gorgeous—if we could’ve moved it outside, we would have! But once the crowd found their groove, the energy was electric.
The Learning Was Real
The session focused on increasing capture rate—a familiar topic, but this time with a twist. Tim walked optometrists, opticians, and contact lens techs through eye-opening scenarios showing how much revenue slips away from practices. Meanwhile, Karen made it visual—literally tossing hundred-dollar bills to drive the point home.
Tim shared practical formulas, tips, and strategies to:
Maximize insurance and rebates
Offer no-cost shipping
Save time and money
Strengthen patient relationships
Karen pushed the conversation further, exploring new revenue streams beyond traditional walls. From aesthetics to nutraceuticals, skincare, vitamins, and more—she showed how patients are already spending on these services elsewhere. Why not bring them into your practice?
“What is current is past.” Every moment gone is one you could be reimagining your business and outcomes.
What’s Next?
The response was phenomenal—we’ve already been asked to bring more courses back to Mankato soon!
Want an Opti-Pop Up event in your area? We love collaborating with vendors and eye care professionals to create fun, impactful experiences. Let’s make it happen.
Reach out to OPM at opticalprosmn.com
Hosted by OPM & CooperVision | ABO Credit Included
LensWorks Lab Tour
Minnesota is full of optical gems, and LensWorks Optical Lab is one of its brightest. Privately owned and operated, LensWorks stands out in today’s landscape—and their recent lab tour proved just how special they are.
Imagine visiting a waterfall with no water falling. That’s what a lab tour would be like without the people, the process, and the action. Thankfully, LensWorks delivered the full experience.
Behind the Scenes, Front of the Line
With huge thanks to Debbie, Clint, and Travis, the LensWorks team graciously hosted not one, but two lab tours—a morning session for early birds and an evening one for the after-work crowd. Over 35 attendees showed up, and many weren’t even there for the ABO credits. That’s true dedication to the craft.
The tour offered 2 ABO credits, but the real highlights were:
The Anti-Reflective (AR) room
Custom tinting demonstrations
A behind-the-scenes look at how a frame can mysteriously go missing
The dialogue and camaraderie were top-notch, with professionals sharing insights, laughs, and a genuine love for the industry.
More Than Just a Tour
LensWorks didn’t just open their doors—they opened minds. The event was a celebration of optical excellence, community, and curiosity. You could see it in every smile, every question, and every moment captured in the photos.
Hats Off
A heartfelt thank you to the LensWorks team for hosting Optical Professionals of Minnesota (OPM) and everyone who attended. You made the day unforgettable.
June 2025
Minnesota Optical Professionals:
Outreach Opportunity!
Special Olympics Healthy Athletes Opening Eyes Tent.
Join us to provide free vision screenings and eyewear to SOMN Athletes on June 21, 2025. Half-day and full-day shifts available.
We need all levels of optical professionals, (ODs, MODs, Opticians, Techs) to volunteer at the summer games. We are expecting a record number of athletes this year!
REGISTER by May 14th. If it is FULL, please add yourself to the waitlist and plan on coming. We will never have too many volunteers. :)
June 25-28, 2025
Optometry’s Meeting®️ | 5th World Congress of Optometry will be held June 25-28, 2025, at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Optometry's Meeting 2025 hosts the 5th World Congress of Optometry, in partnership with the World Council of Optometry, in Minneapolis, where our globally minded event will focus on advancing universal access to high-quality eye health and vision care, as well as an industry-leading conversation on technological advancements across the eye health care industry.
April 2025
10,000 Frames, Midwest Eyewear Show
Exhibitor
April 5, 2025 | Minneapolis, MN
VIP Experience 8am-10am
General Admission: 10 am-4 pm
Optometric Clinical Update:
Chu Vision Foundation
Exhibitor
April 11, 2025 | Edina, MN
ABO Credited Courses:
Karen’s Gone Wild!
Elevating the Patient Care Experience Through Technology & AI
Truly Paperless: Creating a Frictionless, Patient-Centered Experience
Courses start at 8:15 am CDT
