ZVA Marks 75 Years with Reflection on Structural Evolution and Leadership Continuity

The German Central Association of Ophthalmic Opticians (ZVA) marked its 75th anniversary in August 2026, highlighting its transformation from a traditional office to a modern interest representation body. Long-time Managing Director Joachim Goerdt (1983–2013) and his successor Dr. Jan Wetzel (since 2013) discussed the association's success factors, emphasizing personnel continuity and deep industry knowledge as critical assets. While technological shifts from fax machines to digital voice recognition altered daily operations, both leaders noted that understanding member concerns remains vital. Wetzel pointed out that digitalization and the pandemic accelerated communication speeds, requiring faster responses from members, politicians, and media. The article attributes the ZVA’s enduring relevance to these structural strengths rather than chance.