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OWA Unplugged Retreat

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OWA Unplugged Logo

Charleston, South Carolina
October 18-20, 2024

OWA's second Unplugged Retreat was held in Charleston, SC, at the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, and was sponsored by Bausch + Lomb and Zyloware. Attendance was deliberately held to about 35 OWA members, and the purpose of the retreat was to provide an opportunity to "unplug", connect, recharge, relax, and be truly present in the moment, while also laying the groundwork for future retreat planning.

Under the leadership of Connection & Enrichment Committee members Kathy Cruz, Dr. Beverly Bianes, Mary Lanning Jones, Linda Laube, Debbie Myres, and committee chairs Susan Ludwick and Janna Neal, the weekend greatly exceeded all expectations!

The retreat began late Friday afternoon with a welcome reception, followed by an in-person Fireside Chat, complete with s'mores. Saturday highlights included yoga/Pilates, a "favorite things" icebreaker, an OWA Reads book discussion, and a very special bonding event that brought members together through shared experiences and personal stories. A Sunday walk and breakfast wrap-up concluded the weekend gathering. Attendees went home feeling enriched, inspired, transformed, and very grateful to have been part of this incredible experience!

A big thank you also goes out to the companies who provided wonderful mementos of this extraordinary weekend to all attendees:  Bausch + Lomb, Claudia Alan, ClearVision, Lafont, Silhouette, Tura, Visual Inspirations, and Zyloware.

You may click on any photograph to download a high-resolution version. And be sure to check out what some of the attendees had to say!

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What OWA Unplugged Participants Thought

Bridgett Zelasko, VSP

This OWA Unplugged retreat was a transformative and empowering experience, providing a much-needed space for rejuvenation, reflection, and bonding new friends in our industry.

Abigail Crosby, The Vision Council

The OWA Unplugged retreat was an amazing weekend defined by women supporting women, bonding and personal growth. In just three short days, I was able to make what I hope to be life-long connections with women of all ages and backgrounds. While we share love for the optical industry, we took away the business aspect and found community in our shared life experiences.

Amanda Gandolfo, Match Eyewear

I absolutely loved every moment of the OWA Unplugged Retreat! It was a wonderful, intimate opportunity to connect with other women in the optical industry, share our stories and challenges, celebrate our successes, and show support for one another.

Karen Michaelson, KARE Communication

Meeting the women at the retreat has truly impacted my heart. The beauty, vulnerability, strength and trust shared so quickly was nothing I have experienced. I cherish each and every moment being unplugged.

Stephanie McCoy, EyeMed

The support and relationships you walk away from these events with is mind blowing.

Tami Franklin, Vision Source

The OWA Retreat was the time I needed to both pause and strategize to sharpen my own skills and priorities to be better in my personal and professional life. I was running at such a fast pace prior to the retreat, and due to purposely taking the time for the retreat, I am in a much better place to give my time to my colleagues and network. I would remind all women in optometry to make sure you are supporting yourself. The OWA Retreat, all the networking, the new connections, the discussions are vital to me being a better version of myself. I will purposely make time to better myself on a regular/strategic basis going forward. Thanks OWA!

Jennifer Trakhtenberg, ClearVision

I know how much work goes into every detail of these types of events and it is truly remarkable how much dedication the committee has.

Maria Petrucelli, Hoya

So fortunate to have the OWA and the UnPlugged! Retreat where I was able to make meaningful connections with other women in the industry.


Members Photo Collage
Platinum Sponsors
Advancing Eyecare
Bausch + Lomb
ClearVision
De Rigo REM
EssilorLuxottica
EdgePro
National Vision
Safilo Group
Thelios
VSP Vision
Zyloware Eyewear
Gold Sponsors
AEG Vision
CooperVision
Europa
Eyemart Express
FYidoctors
HELIX
Hilco
Kering Eyewear
Marchon
Marcolin
Modo Eyewear
New York Eye
Ocuco
PECCA
Silhouette
SILMO
UnitedHealthcare
Versant Health
Vision Expo
Vision Source
Walman
Silver Sponsors
Art-Craft
Conexiant
Hoya
Jobson Optical Group
Kenmark Eyewear
Keplr
L'Amy Group
Match Eyewear
Maui Jim
The McGee Group
Mondottica
Mondottica
MyEyeDr
Tura Eyewear
Vision Council of America
WestGroupe
Friends of OWA
ABB Optical Group
Amcon Labs
Charmant
CSI Software
Eschenbach
Eye Designs Group
Eyeporters
Eye Recommend
Kavanagh Consulting, LLC
Lafont
New Look Vision Group
Optical Foundry
Windsor Eyes