Theme: Texas 2-Step: Profitability and Operations
Profitability doesn’t happen by accident. And in a franchise system, execution is everything. This year, we’re focusing on the Texas 2-Step: getting profitable—and staying there—through disciplined execution.
Benefits of Attending
EDUCATE
Educate yourself and your staff to deliver improved patient care and grow your business.
EXPERIENCE
Experience the latest industry advances directly from our SNAPP Partners in contact lenses, solutions, therapeutics and leading edge medical and diagnostic equipment.
ENGAGE
Engage in essential learning and networking that extends past the classroom into your practice/store(s) and beyond.
Agenda
Arrivals at leisure
+ 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm: Registration at leisure
+ 4:00 pm: Check in to your hotel guest room.
+ 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm: Welcome Reception at Zanzibar (Hotel’s rooftop bar located on the 7th floor)
Breakfast is on your own. SNAPP will cover your $25 resort fee which can be used towards hotel dining, hotel market or room service.
+ 8:50 am: Check into the meeting.
+ 9 am – 4 pm: General Session
+ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm: Lunch
+ 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm: General Session
+ 6:30 pm – 9:30 pm: Dinner off-site
Breakfast is on your own. SNAPP will cover your $25 resort fee which can be used towards hotel dining, hotel market or room service.
+ 8:50 am: Check into the meeting.
+ 9:00 am – 11:00 am: Doctor room COPE CE and Manager room
+ 11:15 am – 12:45 pm: Sponsor Break-outs
+ 12:45 pm – 1:20 pm: Lunch
+ 1:20 pm – 2:30 pm: General Session
+ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Trade Show – Dinner and Cocktails
+ 8:00 pm: Meeting Adjourns
+ Free night to enjoy Austin!
+ 1:20 pm – 2:30 pm: General Session
+ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm: Trade Show – Dinner and Cocktails
+ 8:00 pm: Meeting Adjourns
+ Free night to enjoy Austin!
Breakfast is on your own. SNAPP will cover your $25 resort fee which can be used towards hotel dining, hotel market or room service.
+ 11:00 am: Check out of the hotel guest room.
+ Departures at leisure
Travel Reimbursement Program
Get Reimbursed for Attending!
Up to $600 for Doctors & Owners and up to $300 for Managers
SNAPP’s Travel Reimbursement Program helps offset eligible travel expenses for members who attend and fully participate in our Annual Meeting.
Our conference continues to be one of the most valuable benefits of SNAPP membership, and we’re excited to offer enhanced travel reimbursement to support your attendance.
How to Qualify for Travel Reimbursement
To be eligible for travel reimbursement, participants must meet the following requirements:
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Eligibility per location:
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One (1) Doctor and one (1) non-OD Owner per location
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One (1) Manager per location
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Registration: Register for the meeting by the published registration deadline (four weeks prior to the event)
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Attendance & Participation:
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Arrive on time
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Fully participate in the meeting each day
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Attend all required breakout sessions and obtain verification for each session
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Spend approximately 10 minutes with each sponsor at the Trade Fair Dinner to learn about their products and services and receive verification
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Lodging: Book your hotel stay within the official SNAPP discounted room block.
Important Notes
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Travel reimbursement amounts are based on eligibility and participation and may vary depending on the number of qualifying attendees.
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Reimbursements are intended to help offset travel-related expenses.
Hotel Information
Downtown Austin awaits. You’ll find breathtaking views in every direction and local flair at your fingertips.
A Fresh Perspective Among Hotels in Downtown Austin
Welcome to a chic urban retreat in the heart of Austin. The Austin Marriott Downtown features over 600 iconic guest rooms including 25 stunning suites, a rooftop pool with breathtaking views, two-level lobby bar, a signature restaurant, Corinne, and a rooftop tropical bar with tiki cocktails. The hotel offers over 60,000 square feet of stunning meeting space, and is located East Ceaser Chavez. Marriott Bonvoy Elite members can automatically enjoy exclusive access to our carefully curated M Club Lounge with complimentary snacks, breakfast, and more. Enjoy being steps away from Lady Bird Lake, famed 6th Street, popular shops, and hottest restaurants. Austin Marriott Downtown offers the perfect home base for your stay.
Sponsors
As a trusted SNAPP partner we look forward to seeing you and your team in Austin. Please have each member of your team who will be attending register.
Sponsor Registration Checklist:
Indicate intent to sponsor to memberservices@snappgroup.org and pay sponsorship dues.
NOTE: All individuals from your organization who will be present at any SNAPP functions must be formally registered using the link above and in possession of a SNAPP sponsor name badge in order to be permitted entrance.
If you have additional questions regarding sponsorship please email us at memberservices@snappgroup.org
Featured Speakers
Solomon Gould, OD, MBA
Course Title: Myopia, The Big Picture” (1 hour CE)
A concise update on the global impact and broad focus of myopia, covering the difference in spread across the world, societal Impacts and complications associated with severe myopia.
Biography
Dr. Solomon Gould is an organizational strategy enthusiast, professional speaker, practice management consultant, author and former practice owner of eight private practices. With over 15 years of industry and consulting experience for both the private and public sectors, Dr. Gould brings an unforeseen depth of knowledge, experience and insight. To date, Dr. Gould has helped elevate hundreds of private practices and many of the top organizations in the ophthalmic industry to their fullest potential. During his spare time, Dr. Gould enjoys participating in Spartan competitions nationwide, learning new languages, spending time with his family, travel, and being out on the many wonderful lakes of Minnesota.
Lizette van Jaarsveld, B.Optom/MBA
Course Title: Myopia, The Big Picture” (1 hour CE)
A concise update on the global impact and broad focus of myopia, covering the difference in spread across the world, societal Impacts and complications associated with severe myopia.
Biography
Lizette is an experienced eyecare and business leader with experience across clinical and corporate settings. With a strong foundation in optometry and a proven track record in strategic leadership, she brings a deep understanding of practice management, customer experience, and sustainable growth strategies.
Lizette has led high-performing teams and business operations in private practices and major healthcare organizations. She blends clinical expertise with sharp business acumen, leveraging data analysis and cross-functional collaboration to drive performance, innovation, and patient care excellence.
Kyle Sandberg, OD, FAAO
Diplomate, American Board of Optometry
Course Title: Lasers, Lenses, Inlays and Beyond: A Tech Update
This one-hour course focuses on technology that is currently available in refractive surgery. Patient selection criteria will be reviewed along with appropriate pre-operative counseling to help set patient expectations regarding each type of procedure. The course will also review technologies that are in development and how future surgical offerings will influence the landscape of optometric practice.
Course Title: Systemic Health and the Eye: A Review
This 1-hour continuing education course is designed to equip optometrists with the essential knowledge needed to recognize connections between common systemic diseases and ocular pathology. Participants will review the most common signs and symptoms associated with both systemic and eye diseases, along with current treatment and management strategies. Using multiple case studies, the course will challenge attendees to apply their diagnostic reasoning skills in clinical scenarios.
Biography
Kyle Sandberg earned his Doctorate in Optometry as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Vision Science from Nova Southeastern University College of Optometry. He completed a residency in Ocular Disease and Ocular and Refractive Surgery at the Eye Center of Texas in Houston.
Dr. Sandberg joined the Rosenberg School of Optometry faculty in 2012 and is currently a tenured Associate Professor. At RSO, he acts as the Chief of Refractive Surgery and Laser Services and the Assistant Dean for Professional Advancement. He enjoys music, golf, and traveling with his wife and their 6-year-old son.
Torrey Carlson, OD
Course Title & Time Slot: Staffing for the Future: AI, Delegation, SuperTech’s, and Profitability in Modern Optometry
This course aims to help practitioners understand emerging staffing trends like AI and automation, while teaching effective delegation protocols to maximize productivity. Participants will learn to reduce overhead, increase revenue per patient, and implement a scalable, medical-focused staffing model with clear profitability tracking.
Biography
Dr. Torrey J. Carlson is an optometrist and owner of multiple practices across East Tennessee, operating under Dr. Torrey J. Carlson & Associates, P.C. and Carlson Eyecare Centers. With over two decades of experience, he focuses on full-scope medical optometry, including myopia management, glaucoma care, specialty contact lenses, and advanced diagnostic technologies. Dr. Carlson is a member of the Board of Directors for ALLDOCS and serves on the LensCrafters Optometry Advisory Council. He is a frequent speaker and consultant, known for his work in advancing a patient-centered, technology-driven model of care.
