Specsavers to celebrate 100 years of dispensing profession at PAC 2026

Specsavers to celebrate 100 years of dispensing profession at PAC 2026

Dispensing professionals will take centre stage at PAC 2026 as Specsavers marks the profession’s centenary year.

A special programme is being planned to recognise dispensing colleagues at Specsavers’ flagship professional development conference (PAC). It takes place at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre on 13 September and is open to clinicians from across the eye health sector.

‘Celebrating 100 years of the dispensing profession is a significant moment and it’s brilliant that it is being marked at Specsavers 2026 PAC,’ says Brenda Rennie, president of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO).

‘I’m looking forward to attending and seeing dispensing opticians recognised in such a visible way. It will be a fantastic event for clinicians. I know colleagues from ABDO are also looking forward to being part of it.’

There will also be a dedicated VIP area bringing together dispensing colleagues, exhibitors and professional bodies.

‘The profession has made a huge contribution to the nation’s eye health over the last century – and this year’s PAC will help mark this special birthday,’ says Kirsteen Newman, head of dispensing advancement at Specsavers.

Ms Newman will also lead a session examining how the profession has evolved over the past 100 years and the opportunities ahead.

‘The session is about celebrating dispensing opticians past, present and future. We’ll look at how the role has evolved, what remains at the core of the profession today and where it might go next. There is a lot to look forward to,’ she adds.

Dispensing opticians, contact lens opticians and other colleagues interested in attending can register here: https://specsaversevents.co.uk/pac/general/home.asp