Purpose

The "2008 Seminar in Optometry" brings the latest information to regional optome-trists. The sessions will greatly benefit individual practices and will meet licensing requirements in optometry in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Tentative Agenda

Certification

A total of 14 hours of instruction (1.4 Continuing Education Units) will be offered using the ARBO OE Tracker Card. The program has been submitted to the following states for continuing education credit approval: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. Approval by any of these states is not guaranteed. Attendees are urged to contact their individual states to confirm approval. Council on Optometric Practitioner Education (COPE) approval is pending. Full attendance is mandatory to receive full credit.

Program Faculty

William J. Benjamin, O.D., P.h.D, F.A.A.O., Professor, University of Alabama School of Optometry, Birmingham, AL

Leo Semes, O.D., F.A.A.O., Professor, University of Alabama School of Optometry, Birmingham, AL

Kelly K. Nichols, O.D., P.h.D., F.A.A.O., Professor, The Ohio State University College of Optometry, Columbus, OH

Mohan Iyer, M.D., Retinologist, Athens Retina Center, Athens, GA

Program Administration

For the Society of Professional Optometrists, Inc.
William Shuman, O.D., Athens, GA
Jack Moomey, O.D., Martinez, GA
James D. Barber, O.D., Covington, GA
Jon Forché, O.D., F.A.A.O., Athens, GA
Nadine Forché, O.D., M.S., F.A.A.O., Athens, GA

For the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center & Hotel
Jane Mertens, C.P.P., Senior Event Coordinator

Society of Professional Optometrists

The Society of Professional Optometrists, Inc. (SOPO) is dedicated to providing optometric continuing education to upgrade professional skills and to satisfy relicensing requirements in Georgia and other Southern states. This is our only agenda; we have no political goals nor do we support any specific political party or candidacy. We thank those of you who support us in this effort.

The University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center & Hotel provides the type of environment we feel is most appropriate to achieve our goal of providing quality optometric continuing education in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Conference registration fees are separate from, and do not include, SOPO dues. SOPO dues, $50 annually, are payable directly to the Society treasurer (James D. Barber, O.D., 5165 Cook Street, Covington, GA 30014) and are due by December 31 of each year. By paying the dues in a timely manner, you are eligible to save at least $100 per meeting by registering at the member rate rather than at the nonmember rate. If your dues have not been paid, please pay them immediately!

We promise that, with your support, we will be able to continue to provide optometric continuing education programs that are among the best available.

Georgia Center Information

The Georgia Center for Continuing Education Conference Center & Hotel, located on the beautiful, historic campus of the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia, provides innovative lifelong learning opportunities that develop intellectual and human potential. A total living and learning environment, the Georgia Center includes a 200-room hotel, restaurants, banquet areas, conference rooms, auditoriums, a fitness center, and computer lab — all under one roof. As a unit of UGA's Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach, the Center brings the University's teaching, research, and service expertise to the people of Georgia and beyond! For more information, visit www.georgiacenter.uga.edu.

Special Needs:
If you require special services, facilities, or dietary considerations, contact your event coordinator, Jean Mann at 706-542-2237 or Jean.Mann@georgiacenter.uga.edu, at least five business days before your event.

SOPO Member Conference Rates
To qualify for the SOPO member rates, you must be on record with SOPO as a member as of December 31, 2007.

Lodging (Georgia Center Hotel):
A block of rooms is being held for your conference until 5:00 p.m. ET, April 24, 2008. Policies: (1) Tax Exemption — The State of Georgia only allows tax-exempt charges for a payment by a state-issued credit card or check or by a direct bill to a state agency (with a Georgia State Tax Exemption Certificate). (2) Lodging Cancellation — Cancel your reservation by 4:00 p.m. ET the day prior to your scheduled arrival to avoid being charged one night's room and tax. (3) At check-in, you must present your credit card or a completed credit card authorization form (for a copy, call 800-884-1381, Mon.-Fri., 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET). Note: The Georgia Center is a smoke-free building; all lodging rooms are nonsmoking.

Travel Information:
Athens, Georgia, is located about 60 miles northeast of Atlanta. For directions, see www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/conferences/about/directions.phtml. A parking deck is located adjacent to the Center (hourly rates, maximum $8 each 24-hour period; vehicle height limit, 7 feet). Athens is served by two airports. Athens-Ben Epps Airport offers connecting flights to and from Charlotte, NC. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is located about 90 minutes southwest of Athens, with scheduled ground shuttle service and rental car service available between the airport and the Georgia Center.

Program Cancellation Policies:
(1) Full refunds are available for cancellations made by 5:00 p.m. ET, May 9, 2008. No refunds will be issued thereafter; substitutions will be allowed. (2) If a program is cancelled for any reason, the Georgia Center will not be responsible for any charges related to travel.

Registration