OAC Convention 2026

Join us for a Saturday of education, networking, and fun! Empower your employees to stay educated to better your office's work environment, business practices & profitability. Bring your whole office for a team bonding day!

General Registration OPEN NOW through 04/10/2026

Late & At-the-Door Registration: 04/11/2026 through the day of the convention for an additional $50 fee. 

• 6+ hours of ABO CE Courses

• ABO Exam Prep Course - Brought to you by United Opticians Association

• Networking opportunities with other optical professionals

• Vendor exhibit hall with prize giveaway and raffle

• Professionals Round-Table Discussion

• Breakfast and Lunch

• OAC Board Meeting

• Happy Hour!

  
  

  

  
  

OAC Membership Meeting & Cocktail Party

Join us for the annual members meeting and Happy Hour! All members are invited and may bring a guest. If you are not a member, this is a great time to join the OAC and join the party!

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RSVP is requested please.

Click here for details and to RSVP.

Education Lineup: ABO CE Courses - 6 Hours

Professionals Roundtable: Elevating Your Practice for Success (2 hours)

The Professionals Roundtable is an engaging panel discussion featuring industry experts who will share insights on distinguishing your practice in a competitive landscape. This session will explore key strategies for enhancing client experiences, fostering wellness-centered services, and delivering exceptional value through personalized care. Panelists will discuss the importance of demonstrating expertise, providing exclusive offerings, and exceeding client expectations with unparalleled service and benefits. Attendees will gain practical takeaways and innovative approaches to elevate their professional presence and drive long-term success.

Beyond The Eyes - Heather Branderhorst, ABO, FNAO

In this class, students will explore a high-level overview in the field of neuro vision.

They will gain knowledge and understanding about neuro visual disfunction and the why’s who’s and how it is treated.

We will define neuro vision and neuro opticianry and the lengths the doctors in our field have to go through to treat a

larger demographic of patients that have been overlooked. With far more people suffering from symptoms of neuro

visual dysfunctions and more conditions being uncovered regularly, opticians will explore new treatments to improve quality of life.

The Epic Patient Experience - Heather Branderhorst, ABO, FNAO

Exceptional vision care is about more than eye exams and eyewear—it’s about how patients feel

at every interaction. This course focuses on creating a memorable, patient-centered experience

from the first phone call to scheduling, through the exam, optical selection, and ongoing follow-

up care. Participants will learn how each touchpoint—communication, efficiency, education, and the in-

office environment—shapes patient trust, satisfaction, and long-term loyalty. By intentionally

curating the patient journey, vision care practices can build stronger relationships, enhance

confidence in clinical recommendations, and differentiate themselves in a competitive market.

Join us as we explore practical strategies to elevate the patient experience, strengthen trust in

care, and deliver vision services that keep patients seeing—and feeling—their best.

Professionally Handle Problems! - Mike Heili, ABOC

Navigating the rocky world of Opticianry isn’t easy. Every day brings challenges, difficult patients, disagreements with coworkers, unclear office policies, and moments where professional judgment is tested. Before reacting ask yourself: is this a personal issue, a policy issue, or a procedure issue?

This course introduces a simple yet powerful three-point plan. Depending on if it’s Personal, Policy, or Procedure will determine your tone, your tools, and yoru next step.”

If it’s about someone’s attitude, tone or behavior…It’s Personal

If there a rule, policy or office standard being overlooked/ignored….It’s Policy

If it is about how something is being done…It’s Procedure?

What do we do? Always apply professional reasoning rather than emotional rationalization of a conflict/issue.

Let’s discuss a few scenarios and hash out a plan!

The Zyl Files - The History, Chemistry, and Sustainability of Plastics in Eyewear - Christie Jo "CJ" Hepp, ABO-AC

Explore the engaging evolution of plastic eyewear materials from the 19th-century pioneers to the high-performance polymers of today. This course spotlights Cellulose Acetate, Bio-resin, and TR-90, teaching you how to identify their unique properties and apply best practices for handling with care. You will gain confidence in balancing durability with aesthetics while integrating eco-conscious practices—empowering you to elevate the selection and dispensing experience.

Meet Our Speakers

Heather Branderhorst, ABO, FNAO

Heather is an ABO Certified Optician with 20 years of experience, has spent most of her career specializing in neuro-opticianry and complex prism prescriptions. She is known for her practical, patient-first approach and her ability to break down challenging visual problems into clear, usable solutions. She is deeply passionate about teaching opticians how to think critically, communicate confidently, and care for patients with intention.

She currently serves as President of the Opticians Association of Oregon, where she advocates for education and licensure, and is the Co-Founder of Calibrate Optics. Her work centers on elevating opticianry through education, mentorship, and real-world application—helping opticians strengthen their skills and trust their expertise.

Christie Jo "CJ" Hepp, ABO-AC

CJ is an ABO Advanced–certified optician with more than a decade of experience in the optical industry. A Colorado native with a deep love for both the sciences and the arts, she brings an interdisciplinary spark to everything she does. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology, a certification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, and she trains as a voice actor. Beyond opticianry, she designs travel‑ and optical‑themed graphics for e‑commerce and is always planning her next creative project or adventure. An insatiable learner at heart, CJ channels her curiosity and creativity into continuing education, sharing her knowledge with others while continually expanding her own. 

Mike Heili, ABOC Mike is a Certified Optical Manager and Optician at Capital Eye Care in Lincoln, Nebraska,

bringing over sixteen years of experience in the optical industry. He has held leadership roles in both

Optical and Contact Lens departments within a multi-location private practice that included a network

of six-practices, 120 employees and 12 doctors. Known as a trusted troubleshooter, Mike specializes

in complex lens challenges, visual pathway issues and sorting through professional frustrations.

He is the Founding President of the Professional Opticians of Nebraska and served as

President of the Nebraska Optometric Association President 2020-22’ (para section).

In 2023, he was named Nebraska’s Paraoptometric of the Year.

Beyond optics, his diverse speaking background is rooted in years of motivational speaking, crisis

counseling, prison outreach, addiction centers, homeless shelters and crawling under bridges to bring

light to those who are in dark circumstances. He has also partnered with Shared Vision

International and led their optical mission teams numerous times in both Haiti and Africa.

Mikes speaking is focused on bringing a component to the optical field rarely taught. Topics such as

Psychology of Vision, Binocular Vision and Belonging, Vision Loss and Identity Disruption,

Hardship(s) of Leadership, The Price of Leadership, Why High Performers Don’t get paid well....and

much, much more.

Outside of work, Mike is a Certified Ironman Coach and Ironman Triathlete where he competes

traveling the country with his wife and 4 children as his biggest cheerleaders! This journey reflects his

dedication to discipline, endurance & challenging oneself towards personal growth and a life worth

living!

 Hotel Room Block Information

Discounted rooms have been reserved for attendees at Ameristar Black Hawk.

How to Book:

• Visit: https://www.ameristarblackhawk.com/

• Click BOOK NOW

• Enter the Group Code below in the Offer Code field

• Click Search

• Select OAC Annual Conference 2026

• Choose your arrival and departure dates

• Click Show Rooms, select your room type, and complete your reservation

Group Code: OACD26A

🔔 Please note: The room block is valid only for the designated conference dates. If you attempt to book outside of those dates, availability may show as sold out.

We recommend booking early!

Registrations are Non-Refundable.