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2025 ODA
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE

7- 8 March 2025

INTERCONTINENTAL SYDNEY

117 Macquarie Street,

Sydney NSW 2000 Australia

Created by Dispensers for Dispensers

With thanks to our Major Conference Sponsor

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About the Conference

Optical Dispensers Australia (ODA) is thrilled to be collaborating with the International Opticians Association (IOA) for our biennial two-day dispenser conference held in Sydney, on Friday March 7th and Saturday March 8th, 2025. 

Taking place in the luxurious InterContinental Sydney where heritage, wonder and contemporary flair collide, the venue is renowned as one of the city’s prized icons.

Set within the beautifully restored Treasury Building of 1851, and centrally positioned in the heart of Circular Quay, the event is sure to attract guests from across Australia and beyond. During the breaks within the exhibitor areas, delegates will have ample opportunity to optimise their interactions with suppliers over complimentary refreshments.

Due to popular demand and given the success of our 2023 conference in Sydney, we have created a new two-day program featuring international guest speakers and complimented by a generous, dedicated exhibitor space.

"There is something for everyone regardless of your job role or level of experience."

With a fabulous line up of both local and international speakers, the ODA Conference is open to the entire optical industry and is an event not to be missed. ODA CPD Points will be automatically allocated to ODA members for attending each day of the conference.ODOB Accredited CPD Points for NZ Dispensing Opticians will be available as per the individual lectures and Optometrists may claim non-clinical CPD points in accordance with Optometry Australia board guidelines and processes. 

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The ODA Gala


On the evening of Friday March 7th, our annual celebratory ODA Gala evening will take place, celebrating all things optical dispensing.

The ODA Gala will host the ODA National Excellence Awards and ACOD Certificate IV in Optical Dispensing Graduation ceremony, providing another wonderful way to network with dispensers, new and old, in the spectacular setting of Circular Quay.

 

ODA’s last Sydney Gala saw a record number of 246 guests attend, a true testament to the important role dispensers play within the industry.

2025 Program of Speakers

Click on speaker for Bio and Presentation Topics

Dr Alexandra Sipatchin

~ Germany ~

Ph.D. Neuroscientist, International Product & Project Manager at Rodenstock

Nathan Adams

~ Fiji Islands ~

Lecturer at the College of Theology & Evangelism Fiji + Ambassadors of Christ South Pacific

Samantha Day

~ New Zealand ~

Dispensing Optician, National Dispensing Manager at Matthews Eyecare NZ

Virgilia Readett

~ New South Wales ~

Optical Dispenser, Senior Trainer & Assessor at ACOD Australia & New Zealand

Prof Padmaja Sankaridurg

~ New South Wales ~

Professor at UNSW,
Head of Global Myopia Management at ZEISS

Ulli Hentschel

~ New South Wales ~

Optical Dispenser, National Training & Development Manager at Hoya Lens Australia

Nabill Jacob

~ New South Wales ~

Senior Orthoptist, Clinical Relationship Manager at Vision Australia

Fiona Om

~ Victoria ~

Optometrist, Professional Services Manager at CR Labs

Fiona E Anderson

~ Scotland ~

Dispensing Optician, Upper Warden Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers UK

Claire Ferreira

~ France ~

Frame Designer at Face á Face, Co-Artistic Director at the Design Eyewear Group

Shiva Taghvaei

~ New South Wales ~

Optical Dispenser, Senior Commercial Manager at Safilo Australia

Grant Hannaford

~ New South Wales ~

Ophthalmic Physicist, Director of AAOO & 2022 IOA International Optician of the Year

Craig Johnston

~ Queensland ~

Optical Mechanic, National Sales & Marketing Manager at Younger Optics

Justin Chiang

~ Queensland ~

Optical Dispenser, General Manager at Tokai Optical Australia

*Thank you to Rodenstock, Specsavers & Matthews Eyecare for providing international speaker sponsorship.

DIGITAL & PRINT ADVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE.

EMAIL marketing@odamembers.com.au

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FRIDAY - 7 March 2024
 

REGISTRATION OPENS 8am
Barista Coffee and Exhibition Area open from 8am
 

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS: 8.30am - 3.45pm
(4 ODA CPD Points / ODOB CPD Points TBC)

Barista Coffee, Morning Tea, & Lunch Included

ODA GALA at the InterContinenal Sydney 5.30pm - 10.30pm

 

SATURDAY - 8 March 2024

REGISTRATION OPENS 8am
Barista Coffee and Exhibition Area open from 8am

 

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS: 8.30am - 6.00pm
(4 ODA CPD Points / ODOB CPD Points TBC)

Barista Coffee, Morning Tea, Lunch, & Afternoon Tea Included

FULL SCHEDULE

Coming Soon...

Made possible thanks to our Conference Sponsors

Get Ready For Sydney

Sydney is a stunning and vibrant city built around one of the most beautiful bays in the world. From the pearly-white Opera House, to the historic Rocks precinct, there's really something here for everyone.

 

Many Sydney landmarks are clustered close together, in or near the ODA Conference venue, making it easy to get around and take in several attractions in one visit. From music to fashion, art, events, drinking and dining out, to nature and exploring, it's really all at your doorstep.

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Conference Accommodation

You will be spoilt for choice when it comes to accommodation options in and around the CBD with hotels to suit a variety of tastes and budgets.

The InterContinental Sydney has luxury  accommodation options available onsite with an ODA Conference delegate special available via THIS LINK

As an affordable alternative, we have also secured a deal with the Tank Stream Hotel (a flat 6 minute walk away). Use code ODA2025 for any length of stay between 5th - 10th March 2025. BOOK HERE

If you enjoy history, the Sydney Harbour Hotel is situated in the heart of The Rocks, Sydney's oldest neighbourhood (a 10 minute walk to the venue.) Use code ODAMEM for any length of stay between 5th - 10th March 2025. BOOK HERE

Getting To The Venue

The InterContinental Sydney is nestled between the Sydney Opera House, Sydney Harbour Bridge, Royal Botanic Gardens and the ultimate shopping, dining and cultural experiences that the harbour city offers ~ all within walking distance.

Taxis and Ubers can be easily picked up from Sydney Domestic and International Airport and the drive will take approximately 20 minutes.

The Sydney Trains Circular Quay station is a short 3-minute walk away, providing a direct 15-minute connection to Sydney International and Domestic Airports, and connecting you to intercity and suburban trains. Directly adjacent to the Train station is the new Light Rail terminal, connecting you to Town Hall, Chinatown, Surry Hills and Moore Park.

Circular Quay ferry wharves are a short 5-minute walk north-west from the hotel. Ferry services operate 7 days a week, connecting you to Manly, Taronga Zoo, Barangaroo, Cockatoo Island, Double Bay, Watsons Bay, Parramatta, and more.

Buses operate from Circular Quay’s Alfred and Philip Streets, travelling to East Sydney (Coogee, Maroubra, North Bondi, Little Bay & La Perouse) as well as North and West Sydney (Parramatta, Eastwood and Macquarie University).

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Conference Sponsors

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MAJOR SPONSOR

Hoya Lens Australia

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BARISTA COFFEE
SPONSOR

Tokai Optical Australia

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LANYARD SPONSOR

Carl Zeiss 

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FRI MORNING
TEA SPONSOR

Hilco Vision

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FRI LUNCH SPONSOR

Rodenstock Australia

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SAT MORNING
TEA SPONSOR

Younger Optics ANZ

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SAT LUNCH SPONSOR

Safilo

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SAT AFTERNOON TEA SPONSOR

Opticare

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OVERSEAS SPEAKER SPONSOR

Specsavers Australia

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OVERSEAS SPEAKER SPONSOR

Matthews Eyecare NZ

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AUDIO VISUAL SPONSOR

ACOD

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 COLLABORATIVE PARTNER

IOA

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