ABDO celebrates centenary at PAC 2026

L-R: Ed Fox, Brenda Rennie and Alistair Bridge attend PAC 2026

The 2026 Specsavers Professional Advancement Conference (PAC) provided a fantastic opportunity for ABDO to engage directly with members, celebrate a significant milestone for the profession, and showcase the wide range of support available to dispensing opticians (DOs) across the UK.

Held at the Birmingham ICC on Sunday 13 September, PAC 2026 brought together thousands of clinicians and team members for a day of learning, professional development and collaboration across optics and audiology.

Alongside the conference programme, DOs and dispensing teams were recognised at a series of activities marking the profession’s centenary year.

Celebrations included dedicated dispensing learning sessions, a VIP dispensing area and special conference branding. The event also saw the launch of a social media campaign – #LoveDOWeek – designed to celebrate the contribution DOs make to patient care and practice success.

From the opening address onwards, delegates were reminded of the enormous contribution DOs have made to eyecare over the last 100 years, creating a strong sense of pride among attendees and highlighting the important role DOs continue to play within modern multidisciplinary eyecare teams.

Kirsteen Newman takes a selfie with Doug and Mary Perkins, and Daniel Green, Specsavers head of dispensing development and ABDO board member and regional lead

Special programme for DOs

One of the most visible signs of the celebration was the special-coloured lanyards and tote bags provided exclusively for DO delegates, helping to distinguish and recognise the profession throughout the conference.

Around the venue, interactive poster boards encouraged delegates to share why they love being DOs. These displays filled with messages reflecting passion, professionalism and pride, creating a vibrant reminder of the positive impact DOs have on patients’ lives every day.

The event provided valuable opportunities for ABDO representatives to discuss the Association’s centenary activities, listen to members’ experiences, and highlight the support available through ABDO membership.

Conversations covered a wide range of topics, including professional development, qualifications, continuing education and the evolving role of DOs within the wider optical sector.

The ABDO stand was a hub of activity throughout the day, with delegates showing strong interest in the Association’s recently-published centenary supplement, which was distributed to help commemorate the profession’s 100-year journey. The special keepsake supplement gave members an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of previous generations, whilst looking ahead to the future of the profession.

Giles Edmonds introduces plans for DO Week

ABDO was also pleased to see Specsavers placing a strong spotlight on the importance of DOs within multidisciplinary clinical teams. Throughout the conference, messaging reinforced how DOs complement optometrists and other eyecare professionals, bringing specialist expertise to enhance patient outcomes and contributes to high quality eyecare services.

“Exciting time to be qualifying”

The conference programme also included a newly-qualified professionals’ lunch introduced by Giles Edmonds, Specsavers’ clinical services director, and attended by ABDO’s chief executive officer, Alistair Bridge.

The gathering brought together colleagues from a range of professional backgrounds who had recently completed qualifications through Specsavers programmes. It was a valuable opportunity to celebrate achievement, discuss career development, and encourage the next generation of optical professionals.

Brenda Rennie with delegates at the DO stand

Speaking to attendees, Alistair said: “For dispensing opticians, in particular, this is a really exciting time to be qualifying. The centenary of the profession has provided a great platform for ABDO, as your professional body, to highlight the excellent patient care you provide and the value you add to optical businesses.”

Reflecting on his conversations with DOs and contact lens opticians (CLOs) while visiting practices around the UK as part of the centenary celebrations, Alistair said that: “What has shone through is their dedication and professionalism and the satisfaction they gain from improving people’s lives on a daily basis.”

Addressing the newly-qualified DOs and CLOs in the audience, he concluded by saying: “You are joining a fantastic, fulfilling profession. Congratulations once again.”

Reflecting on the event, Ed Fox, ABDO head of membership services, said: “Specsavers PAC was a fantastic opportunity to connect with ABDO members and celebrate what is a truly significant year for the profession. There was a real sense of pride throughout the conference as dispensing opticians reflected on 100 years of professional achievement and looked ahead to the future.

“It was particularly valuable to speak with members about the support ABDO provides, from professional representation and education to membership benefits and career development. Events like PAC remind us of the strength of our profession and the importance of working together to support dispensing opticians at every stage of their careers.”

DO delegate Stephen Pratt told DO Online: “PAC is always a valuable opportunity to reconnect with colleagues from across the profession, share ideas and reflect on the positive impact we can have on patient care. This year, DO Week was a particular highlight, shining a well-deserved spotlight on the knowledge, clinical skills and wider contribution of dispensing opticians. It was a fantastic reminder of the important role DOs play within practice, and of the value we bring to both patients and the wider optical profession.”

“So proud to be a DO”

Ed Fox with DO delegate, Stephen Pratt

Speaking after the conference, Kirsteen Newman, head of dispensing advancement at Specsavers, said: “Seeing DO Week come to life at PAC was incredibly special. But nothing prepared me for the emotion of watching post after post come in from dispensing opticians and dispensing teams.

“Every photo, every story and every thank you shared has reminded me why I’m so proud to be a dispensing optician. I’ve shed a few tears of joy seeing the pride, passion, recognition and celebration of our profession. For me, this has never just been about a week of celebrations. It’s about shining a light on an incredible profession and the amazing people behind it. I am so proud to be a dispensing optician.”

Kirsteen added: “I also want to congratulate ABDO on their incredible celebrations for the centenary year for the dispensing profession. It was also brilliant to welcome ABDO president, Brenda Rennie, and chief executive officer, Alistair Bridge, to PAC to support DO Week.”

Dispensing colleagues were also recognised as part of annual awards presented by Specsavers founders, Doug and Dame Mary Perkins. Nicola McLeod from Specsavers Exeter received the Doug Perkins Award for Clinical Excellence in Dispensing. Anni Waldorf from Specsavers Spytty Road, Newport, won a Dame Mary award for customer service.

As ABDO’s celebrations of the centenary of the profession continue, the success of PAC demonstrated both the strength of the profession, and the enthusiasm of members to be part of its future.

The conference highlighted the vital contribution DOs make every day and reinforced ABDO’s commitment to supporting members through education, advocacy, professional development and community engagement for the next century and beyond.