(PRESS RELEASE) Organizers of International Vision Expo West 2016 say early figures indicate increased attendance as well as strong sales at the event, which ran Sept. 14-17 in Las Vegas, NV.
“ECPs reported that they found a huge amount of value in the Vision Expo West education sessions, which was reflected in the Global Contact Lens Forum and Ocular Surface Disease and Wellness Symposium — both of which sold out in less than three weeks,” said Tom Loughran, Reed Exhibitions industry vice president. “We almost broke the record for attendance at Vision Expo education sessions, and are proud to be able to provide attendees with sessions that they’re finding so valuable.”
In addition to over 320 hours of education, Vision Expo West offered 180,000 square feet of exhibit space with more than 100 new fashion brands debuting fall lines, accessories and new eyewear trends, according to a press release.
“Exhibitors have reported strong buying activity in the exhibit hall, with high levels of traffic and a sense of vibrancy,” said Ashley Mills, The Vision Council vice president of trade shows and meetings. “With the new pop-up talks, Visionaries toasts, and the addition of the lounges, the show floor has become a hub for learning, buying and networking.”
The show was host to over 65 events and parties including a full slate of events for young professionals and over 370 show specials, including exhibitor and entertainment discounts. The ODs on Facebook party was moved to a new venue within TAO Nightclub this year in order to accommodate the increasing numbers, reaching over 750 attendees. Additionally, the 13 pop-up talks held throughout the show floor — a new series this year — “received high levels of attendance and overwhelmingly positive reviews from attendees,” according to the release.
With voting beginning on the show’s opening day and the winners recognized on Friday, International Vision Expo honored the recipients of the 2016 Vision Expo West Vision Choice Awards, sponsored by Eyecare Business and Breton Communications: emoji sunglasses took home first place honors, followed by Davette’s Lunettes in second place and Specs of Wood receiving third place honors. The Vision Choice Awards distinguish the best of the best in new eyewear products and technology, as voted upon by Vision Expo attendees.
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Interaction with the show via social media reached record levels, with a 700 percent increase in Facebook engagement over 2015 and a more than 30 percent increase in Twitter impressions. The official show hashtag, #VisionExpo, was used more than 4,500 times during the show, and more than 20,000 people viewed the official Vision Expo Snapchat filter.
International Vision Expo East 2017 is scheduled for March 30 through April 2 at the Javits Center in New York. International Vision Expo West 2017 is set for Sept. 14-16 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas.
To learn more, visit: VisionExpo.com.
