The Hilton Auckland, still the preferred venue for the now postponed CCLS NZ 2022 conference

Despite being planned as a hybrid event, the annual Cornea and Contact Lens Society (CCLS) conference planned for 10-12 March 2022 has been postponed due to modelling of the Covid-19 Omicron variant suggesting a peak in March.

CCLS president Eleisha Dudson said as disappointing as it is, postponing was the right thing to do. “At a recent virtual meeting discussing the conference we were unsure, even for ourselves, where our comfort level sat for travelling during this initial phase of Omicron, especially with the peak predicted to be in March. Our decision to postpone was to prevent risk to our colleagues and to prevent excluding those who would otherwise have attended but for the current Covid situation.”

Working with Hilton Auckland and keynote speakers, CCLS is looking to confirm a new date in June, July or August 2022. “CCLS is really keen to have an in-person event, as a considerable appeal for the society is the chance to interact, exchange ideas and socialise with our colleagues,” said Dudson. “We feel, by postponing, we have a better chance to have a meeting where more of our colleagues can attend and we will also have more time to create a more unique interactive virtual experience for those who are unable to attend. We hope to see you at CCLS’22 Looking back to the Future – take two.”

Another victim of the current Omicron restrictions is the Christchurch Eye Surgery which has cancelled its 12 March seminar day. Rather than trying to reschedule, the new plan is for a bigger event in 2023, said CEO Dorothy Paton.

However, across the Tasman, the Optical Distributors & Manufacturers Association’s (ODMA) O-show scheduled for 27-28 May is shaping up to be an overdue meeting opportunity for the industry, with more than 50 exhibitors signed up to attend, including Designs for Vision, Eyes Right Optical, Hoya, J&J Vision and Optica Life Accessories.

For all the latest dates, see https://nzoptics.co.nz/calendar