As social media becomes an increasingly used marketing tool for all sorts of industries, the International Vision Expo West will be dedicating 12 hours of its program to social media and internet marketing in the optometric industry. The program will include a hands-on workshop, interactive teaching, and reviews of websites and Facebook pages already in existence.

One session, "FOCUS 2012: Embracing the 'i' Craze" by Eyefinity, will be a four-plus hour session on mobile technology and its relation to the optometric practices. The keynote, "“The Future of Health: Where Can Technology Take Us?,” will be given by Daniel Kraft, MD, (Harvard- and Stanford- trained physician and scientist). This session will take place on September 5 at 7:30AM.

Alan Glazier, OD, founder of ODs on Facebook, will host a happy hour event for eye care professionals (sponsored by Europa International and Cinzia Designs) on September 7 at 6PM.

Show management at the Vision Expo West has been all over social media answering questions, posting videos, and promoting the show. Social networks being utilized include Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

The International Vision Expo West will be taking place at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas from September 5-8. Go to the Vision Expo West website for the full press release on social media and this year's show.

And speaking of social media, check out Optometry Times on Twitter (@OptometryTimes) and on Facebook.