Each year more than 7,000 national and international eye care professionals, vendors, and allied ophthalmic personnel attend SECO for its unparalleled educational opportunities and "Optometric Marketplace" exhibit hall. Yet just a fraction take advantage of the many benefits associated with registering early for this popular event.

The SECO 2007 early pre-registration period runs from November 1 - December 31, 2006 and offers the biggest savings from the on-site registration fee. SECO 2007 pre-registration services are available until February 2, 2007. SECO encourages registrants to register early and take advantage of discounted registration fees. Additionally, SECO encourages registrants to make their hotel reservations early as well to guarantee accommodations. Additional registration details are available online at www.seco2007.com, choose from the Registration button submenu.

With 15 weeks left before SECO 2007 is set to begin, the continuing education program for optometrists (ODs) is 91 percent approved by the Council of Optometric Practitioners Education (COPE). Only nine courses are pending. In addition, the continuing education offering for those certified by the Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology (JCAHPO) is 90 percent approved. Only 10 courses are pending. SECO's AOP Program is approved in its entirety by the American Optometric Association for paraoptometrics. Courses are noted as "PARA Approved" in the registration brochure. In addition, the majority of the AOP courses already have been approved by the American Board of Opticianry and National Contact Lens Examiners with less than a third of the courses still pending approval.

"To be this far ahead of the Congress with so many of our courses already approved by the licensing boards and certifying organizations is a major accomplishment," said Paul C. Ajamian, O.D., general chairman of SECO's CE Committee. "This is particularly noteworthy considering 80 percent of the OD Program is new and has never before been approved by COPE," he added.

These approvals came in time for SECO's pre-registration period, which opened on Nov. 1 , 2006 and won't close until Feb. 2, 2007. ODs and optometry professionals can register online (www.seco2007.com) for the meeting, which will be held February 21-25, 2007 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

SECO will report CE credits of attendees who provide license information to the state licensing optometry boards of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia. In addition, SECO reports CE credits for those providing an ARBO ID to the Association of Regulatory Boards of Optometry and its national databank OE Tracker. For optometrists and opticians with a Florida license, SECO will report CE credits to CEBroker.com. These Florida professionals only need to supply SECO with their Florida license number and retain the verification of attendance forms they will receive upon exiting the course. All SECO attendees must retain their verification of attendance forms as they are the official proof of attendance.

Click Here for more information regarding course accreditation for SECO 2007.

With popularity stemming from SECO's superior continuing education, eye care professionals have another reason to flock to Atlanta this February. More than 240 companies that are leading the Optometric industry in cutting edge technology, equipment, fashionable eyewear, pharmaceutical products and profitable business services are showing their products at Optometry's Marketplace at SECO 2007. For the attendees that can only visit one show this year, SECO offers everything that professionals need to keep their practice ahead of the curve.

As the capital of the South, SECO's central location of Atlanta, Georgia allows for convenient transfer of purchased items. Shopping at Optometry's Marketplace is made simple with an easy-to-navigate floor plan where attendees can purchase items for their practice and take them home without hassle.

This year Optometry's Marketplace is featuring a luxury eyewear marquee called The View. Presenting some of the most innovative and fashionable frames available in the world, the View carries lines such as Theo, Anne et Valentin, I Connection, LaLoop, IC Berlin, Lindberg, Optical Shops of Aspen and Oliver Peoples. Whether fashion forward or retro-inspired, the looks found in The View can be seen on the most recognizable faces around the world and every SECO attendee has the opportunity to bring them to their patients.

The awesome shopping experience at Optometry's Marketplace will also include one of a kind jewelry at The Pink Zebra. Located at booth number 162, The Pink Zebra carries stunning jewelry from southern artisan, Jane Compton. Those with a flare for fashion and the finer things will enjoy this added bonus at SECO.

In addition to the selection and convenience, Optometry's Marketplace offers fun! Tasty lunches, prize giveaways, caffeine boosts, internet connections and opportunities to mix and mingle with friends and colleagues provide great ways to have a blast at SECO 2007!