Accolades presented at ABDO conference

A number of accolades were presented at the gala dinner of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).

The event last month (20 September) was held at The Midland Hotel, Manchester during the association’s conference at Manchester Central, and was “lively and at times emotional” during the special award presentations according to ABDO.

Life membership of ABDO was awarded to Optical Confederation chairman Chris Hunt, former president of the AOP. Past ABDO president, James Russell, received the Hamblin Memorial Prize, while the ABDO area prize went to dispensing optician Brenda Rennie  of Ferrier & MacKinnon Optometrists, Fife. An honorary fellowship of ABDO was presented to Deanne Gray, administration manager at ABDO’s journal, Dispensing Optics.

The extensive CET programme included streams hosted by the AOP and the British Contact Lens Association (BCLA). The programme included keynote lectures delivered by Dr Nicola Lagan and Dr Maggie Woodhouse, receiving highly favourable comments from conference delegates. Pictured is ABDO president, Peter Black, left, with AOP head of education and OT clinical editor, Dr Ian Beasley, ABDO vice president, Fiona Anderson and Malla Hussain, AOP education assistant.

Commenting on the event, ABDO’s head of marketing and communications, Michael Potter, said: “Based on comments received from those that attended, the 2015 ABDO conference is arguably the best we have hosted so far. The CET sessions were of the highest standard and the networking events were outstanding and highly enjoyable.”

Dr Beasley told OT: “The impressive education offering by ABDO, with contributions from the AOP and the BCLA, along with a lively gala dinner ensured a successful conference for all.”

Other social events at the conference included a pre-conference golf tournament held at the Whitefield Golf Club, sponsored by Oakley, followed by a pre-conference welcome reception at Manchester Central Library.

The gala dinner also featured a trailer for the 2015 ABDO Insight programme which was produced by the association in partnership with ITN Productions. The news-style programme is presented by Natasha Kaplinsky and reports on the latest innovations and best practice in eye care. It also looks at the widening role of dispensing opticians in the health care system.

The programme is on the association’s website.