Complete Story
07/23/2026
President's Message
Last year, I had the opportunity to be able to take 6 of my staff members to the MIDO Optical Fair in Milan, Italy. They were able to go because they had won a sales promotion we had at our offices.
To say that the Milan trip was more than what my staff had expected is an understatement. The highlight of the trip of course was MIDO, where vendors from more than 50 countries were in attendance, along with more than 42,000 attendees from more than 160 countries.
The enormity of the complex was difficult to comprehend, with 7 pavilions in 8 separate exhibition areas. I would not be telling the truth if I said we had time to visit all of them. Footwear of choice, for most in attendance were athletic shoes, as everyone covers a lot of acreage!
Our group, as guests of MEI Systems, was able to get a private tour of the MEI facility in Bergamo, Italy. They called it a “factory tour”, but this state-of-the-art facility was more like an art gallery than a factory. While touring the assembly area, we did not see one smudge of grease, drop of oil, or the usual trappings of a factory. While technicians worked on assembly, an automated inventory system, reaching a high as the ceiling pulled need parts. The grand finale was lunch in a “cafeteria” where the food, prepared by Italian chefs, was displayed in an area befitting a 5-start restaurant. Everything about the tour and MEI was top notch.
Of course, the trip to Milan was more than business and includes seeing amazing sights such as the world famous Duomo, fabulous food, and a side trip to Rome for some, and Switzerland for others. “Once in a lifetime” is the best way to describe this trip.
Before you think I am telling you all of this simply to talk about our company trip, allow me to explain the true reason of my going on about Milan: As most of you know by now, the OAO is selling raffle tickets for the very trip I just described above: Included for two persons is 5 days in Milan, Italy, including flights, lodging at the NYX Hotel Milan, Entrance to the MIDO Optical Fair, a private tour of the MEI Systems facility, and fantastic food. (The trip is being sponsored by OAO, with help from our partner, MEI Solutions.)
If you didn’t read anything else, here’s the most important part: The tickets are $100 each, and that is for 2 people to go. Also, we will sell no more than 500 tickets, but as of this writing, we have sold less than 100 tickets! That means that if we only sell 99 tickets, we will still have the drawing, and your chances of winning are extremely good. Ticket sales are not restricted to only optical folks, so please tell your family and friends, and encourage them to enter. Not a traveler? No problem, you can opt out of the trip in exchange for $3,000.00!
If $100 for two people is too much for you to consider, we also have a raffle for a trip to Vision Expo in Las Vegas. The cost of that ticket is $60.00 and that is also for 2 people. Either way, you’ve got an excellent chance of winning a once in a lifetime experience!
