Because education should move your practice forward—not just check a box.
Built by independent educators, Excellence LIVE talks and workshops give you tools you can actually use, conversations that challenge how you think, and inspiration that lasts far beyond the CE hours earned.
RSVP to the Courses Below
Downloadable ScheduleThursday, Feb 19th
Friday, Feb 20th
Saturday, Feb 21st
Thursday
Thursday, Feb 19 at 9:00am
Small Batch Tools Factory Workshop -
Day 1
with Chad Sobodash & Travis LeFevre
*This workshop is sold out*
Thursday, Feb 19 at 3:00pm
Using Today’s Technology for Today’s Lenses
with Joel Wolf
1 hour ABO Credits have been ordered for those who registered
Today’s advanced lens designs demand greater measurement precision and stronger patient engagement than traditional dispensing methods can provide. This course explores how modern dispensing technology captures critical measurements—such as wearing vs. anatomical PDs, vertex distance, pantoscopic tilt, and face form—to improve lens performance, comfort, and adaptation. Attendees will also learn how digital tools enhance patient understanding, elevate professionalism, and deliver a more accurate, personalized dispensing experience.
Thursday, Feb 19 at 4:00pm
Power Up Your Presence: Online Necessities for Opticals
with Heather Harrington 45 minute Workshop
Your optical already has a brand—this session shows you how to own it online. Learn a simple, no-fluff framework for building a cohesive digital presence on social media that actually reflects your practice. No overwhelm, no guesswork—just clear steps you can put into action. Attendees will leave with usable prompts, organizational tools, and perspective to refine what’s already working and move forward with confidence.
Thursday, Feb 19 at 5:00pm
Decoding Gen Z: Proven Methods to Build Outstanding Optical Teams
with Kayla Ashlee 1 hour COPE & ABO Credits have been ordered for those who registered COPE Pending
Bridge the generational gap that is holding back your success. Many doctors and optical leaders have no idea how to create a high performing team. Add to that the disconnect with hiring Gen Z employees and most just cringe. You will learn about what Gen Z responds to and is motivated by. Then you will be given tactical steps you can implement to build a stronger team and create a more modern experience in your practice.
Friday
Friday, Feb 20 at 8:00am
Small Batch Tools Factory Workshop - Day 2
with Chad Sobodash & Travis LeFevre
*This workshop is sold out*
Friday, Feb 20 at 9:00am
Proven Frame Merchandising: Techniques to Influence Patients
with Kayla Ashlee 1 hour COPE & ABO Credits have been ordered for those who registered COPE Pending
The disappointment of patients leaving with their prescription is all too common. Would you believe that many of us are actually influencing them to NOT buy from us? Once you can identify how your team and your display merchandising is contributing to the patient walking, you can change it. This course will give you the techniques to genuinely influence your patients’ decisions that you can begin implementing right away. Bring the whole team in for this one!
Friday, Feb 20 at 11:00am
Stop the Walkouts
Using Master Communication Techniques
with Kayla Ashlee 1 hour COPE & ABO Credits have been ordered for those who registered COPE Pending
Would you believe that the interactions you and your team are having with the patient are unintentionally sending signals to NOT purchase from you? Verbal and non-verbal communication can be mastered to send the right signals along with stronger patient connections. This course will give you and your team the control to genuinely influence your patients’ decisions.
Friday, Feb 20 at 1:00pm
It’s Time to Stop Being so Myopic: or Better Yet Your Patients
with Dr. Brianna Rhue
2 hours COPE Credits have been ordered for those who registered COPE Pending
Myopia control is the present and future of optometry. We will cover the current options available. Learn how to easily implement it in your clinical practice and how to set parents and kids up for success.
Friday, Feb 20 at 4:00pm
Happy Hour:
Techifeye Patio Crawl
During the Techifeye Patio Crawl attendees will take part in a shark-tank-style event with independent technology vendors. Complimentary drinks, signature cocktails, and hors d’oeuvres will be served while Techifeye partners wow attendees with innovative solutions to their daily challenges.
Friday, Feb 20 at 4:00pm
Frame Refurbishing Workshop
with Bad Ass Optical 2 Hour Course
Join legendary frame-polishing master Scott Balestreri for an exclusive 2-hour course on polishing and restoring acetate frames. Learn hands-on techniques from the mythical grandmaster himself.
The course is $1,000 and includes everything you need to get started: You will take home a professional polisher, wheels, chalk, and all the tools required to turn this skill into a new revenue stream for your optical shop.
Saturday
Saturday, Feb 21 at 9:00am
3 Proven Habits to a Highly Profitable Inventory
with Kayla Ashlee 1 hour COPE & ABO Credits have been ordered for those who registered COPE Pending
So many opticals have inventory data from their EHR, but have no idea what to do with it! Take a look at 3 major stats to reference in your optical’s data to optimize your frame retailing. Stop allowing stagnant inventory to hold back your profitability and learn to rethink how you can intentionally structure and manage your frame boards to allow the investment in your optical to thrive.
Saturday, Feb 21 at 10:30am
Making Fans: Creating an Undeniable Patient Connection
with Tom Sasso 1 Hour Course
Making Fans focuses on the power of intentional communication and human connection in the patient experience. This session teaches how to transform routine encounters into memorable moments that patients talk about long after their visit. Attendees will learn how to elevate the everyday patient experience in ways that build loyalty, confidence, and emotional buy-in. When connection is prioritized, patients naturally become advocates for your practice.
Saturday, Feb 21 at 11:30am
The ECP Ecosystem
with Steve Alexander 1 hour COPE & ABO Credits have been ordered for those who registered COPE Pending
Discussing the last 25 years of tremendous changes, technological breakthroughs, generational shifts in mindsets and attitudes in eye care and the economy. We discuss why many institutions within Eyecare have not kept up with those specific changes, and how we might adjust our behavior based on that recognition.
Saturday, Feb 21 at 1:00pm
The Decision-Making Patient:
Turn Clinical Excellence into Action
with Dr. Brianna Rhue & Kayla Ashlee 1 hour COPE Credits have been ordered for those who registered COPE Pending
The modern patient experience is no longer about information, it’s about decision confidence. This course teaches optometrists & opticians how to design each step of the visit to reduce confusion, build trust, and improve follow-through on treatment plans and eyewear recommendations. Learn how clarity and innovation transform great clinical care into real-world results. Doctors and opticians will walk away with proven flows and scripts that will have your patient thrilled to take action!
Saturday, Feb 21 at 2:00pm
Billing Nightmare Workshop:
The Insurance Trap
with Andrea Brown 2 hour workshop
This interactive workshop needs you! Bring me your EOBs that keep getting denied and we'll troubleshoot them as a group to get you PAID!
Yes, my talk does start at 2:30. This is purposeful. Meeting at 2pm about any tough challenges you are having allows me to modify the 2:30 talk to the unique troubles that my attendees are facing. We will then return back to the workshop after the talk to create solutions for these problem-EOBs to get you paid.
Registration for the workshop will automatically register you for the 2:30 talk.
Saturday, Feb 21 at 2:30pm
Stop Guessing, Start Getting Paid: Billing & Coding Demystified
with Andrea Brown 1 hour course
This is a no-nonsense course on medical billing and coding for optometry—no vision plan fluff, just what you need to bill medical insurance properly. Learn the key differences between HMO and PPO plans and how they affect patient responsibility, staff communication, and claim submission. The session includes downloadable, quick-reference tools your team can use immediately at the front desk.
If you would like for me to go over any troublesome EOBs with you, please register for the 2pm workshop.
Meet your Speakers
Excellence LIVE at Eyeball is designed to go beyond compliance, these talks and workshops focus on real-world solutions that improve optical performance, team communication, retail strategy, and patient engagement. Sessions are taught by industry leaders who actively work in independent practices—not corporate theory, not recycled lectures. You will gain practical insights, optical-tested systems, and fresh perspective you can take straight back to your optical to implement on Monday mornin'.
Tom Sasso
ABOC. @tomsgotglasses
Tom began his career in optical in 2016, in an administrative role in his home state in New Jersey, and opticianry quickly joined his list of favorite things – along with Bruce Springsteen and spaghetti. He became a certified optician three years later, after moving to Michigan, and has devoted his time to developing his skills in optical science and technique, while also fostering his interest in the fashion and craft of independent eyewear production. Tom is thrilled to share his enthusiasm and knowledge with colleagues at Eyeball Palm Springs this February!
Brianna Rhue
Optometrist
Dr. Brianna Rhue is a practicing optometrist, entrepreneur, and national speaker who lives at the intersection of patient care and practice growth. As co-founder of Dr. Contact Lens and Techifeye, she’s helped independent practices recapture hundreds of millions in revenue by modernizing the patient experience through smarter systems, data, and AI. Brianna blends real-world clinical experience with bold business strategy, delivering high-energy talks that challenge doctors to opt in to leadership, efficiency, so they can have long-term impact on their communities.
Kayla Ashlee
ABOC @bespexy
As the founder and CEO of Spexy®, Kayla created a binge-worthy online training platform designed to help independent opticals master the art of connection, selling more eyewear, and build thriving, profitable practices. She’s a certified optician, international speaker, podcast booster, and the creator of FrameTurn®. Known for her bold, no-BS delivery and relatable, high-energy presence, Kayla’s been featured as one of Vision Monday’s Most Influential Women in Eyecare in 2025, appeared on the cover of Invision Magazine, and was honored with the 2025 Optical Women's Association Emerging Leader Award.
Whether she’s speaking to a packed room of industry pros, is coaching optical teams online, or headlining popular podcasts, Kayla brings fresh ideas, fierce encouragement, and proven tools to back it all up. If you’re ready to rethink optical? You’ve found who you need. To learn more visit www.spexy.co.
Steve Alexander
Steve Alexander has been in the eye care industry for 25 years and has worn many hats including optician, ophthalmic tech, lab tech, practice manager, regional manager, operations consultant, CE certified speaker and other in both private and corporate eye care settings. Over the last 12 years, he has been consulting with practices to find ways to better understand their patients, the ecosystems in which they work, and how to create a practice of which they can be proud.
Andrea Sarich Brown
BS / MS
Hi, I'm Andee — Your friendly, independent eyecare billing and coding specialist, optician, and admin extraordinaire. Currently serving as the Practice Admin at Northern Avenue Eye Care in Phoenix, and freelance consultant, I help both new and established practices adopt revenue cycle best practices, policies and procedures utilizing automation and integrations to maximize reimbursements. You won't find me giving gimmicky "advice" that walks the line. I provide evidence-based solutions and audit-proof methods. With almost 30 years of healthcare experience, and over half of that in eyecare, I’ve partnered with companies to help end the insurance nightmares. When I'm not working or consulting, you can find me hiking with my Malinois pup, Daisy, baking sourdough, volunteering with the American Legion Auxiliary, traveling, and trying all the local coffee roasters.
She can be contacted at https://www.northernaveeyecare.com/
Heather Harrington
ABOC @opticalnomad
Also known as Optical Nomad, Heather is an optician and strategic thinker working across the optical industry. Drawing from experience in independent practices, industry leadership, and editorial and digital initiatives, she brings a well-rounded, real-world perspective to brand presence and visibility. Her work focuses on clarity, organization, and practical structure—helping professionals make sense of how they show up. Heather is known for translating complex ideas into simple, usable frameworks that support consistency without overwhelm. Her approach meets people where they are and emphasizes progress over perfection.
Joel Wolf
Joel Wolf is a licensed optician with over 40 years of experience in the optical industry, spanning practice ownership, lab operations, consulting, and optical technology. He owned and operated a successful optical practice for more than 30 years, growing it from an independent shop into a full-scale operation with 13 ophthalmologists and optometrists on-site.
Earlier in his career, Joel owned and managed two independent finishing laboratories, helping independent practices compete with national chains through faster turnaround, competitive pricing, and higher-quality products. He has consulted with numerous optometry and ophthalmology practices, focusing on profitability, workflow efficiency, and technology adoption.
Today, Joel serves as National Trainer for Optikam, where he helps practices and labs increase efficiency, elevate the patient experience, and drive sustainable growth.
