iDay event postponed until 2022

The organisers behind the Independents Day event have postponed the one-day conference, due to have taken place in Birmingham on 24 October. 

Proven Track Record has confirmed it is now looking at running the event in spring 2022. The conference will retain its theme of Commercialising Myopia Management and plans to keep most, if not all, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors the same.

Event director, Nick Atkins, explained: “Like many other optical events we are sadly a casualty of the current situation and whilst we have continued to add delegates since the summer postponement, sadly the numbers do not make running the event commercially viable.”

Describing a “double whammy conspiring against live optical events,” Atkins suggested the backlog of patients that practices are working through, combined with the potential risks of ill-health to the business, has made it harder for many to consider taking time out to attend events.

Following the announcement, the event organisers revealed plans for a virtual webinar, taking place on the day the conference would have run.

“Not to be defeated following the postponement of a live iDay21, we’ve put together a free to attend two-hour ‘taster’ webinar,” the organisers shared on LinkedIn.

The webinar will run from 11 – 1pm on 24 October, featuring myopia control specialist optometrist, Nick Dash, who will present on A once in a lifetime opportunity: Myopia matters.

Speakers from four of the event sponsors will also present on the latest products for myopia management, including instruments and contact lenses.