The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions, organizers of Vision Expo, announced that Vision Expo East 2021, originally scheduled to take place March 18-21, will now take place May 25-28 at the Javits Center in New York City.
The date change “reflects a proactive decision by the Show’s organizers in the interest of providing more time for companies to effectively plan their participation during this challenging period for the optical marketplace,” organizers said in a statement.
Education sessions will take place May 25-28 and the exhibition is set for May 26-28.
“While we are more eager than ever to bring the vision care community together as soon as possible, the needs of our members and the industry at large is our number one concern,” said Mitch Barkley, vice president of trade shows and events at The Vision Council. “The decision to host Vision Expo East in May instead of March is the result of thoughtful and frequent communication with our members over the past few months, during which we learned that due to the pandemic and the uncertain environment for holding events, finalizing Q1 plans is proving to be a challenge for many members of the optical community. With this in mind, as well as the health and safety of the community, we have made the decision now to host the event in late May to give our members and exhibitors at Vision Expo the time they need to make their plans.”
Additional details on Vision Expo East’s new neighborhoods, educational programming and special features will be announced in coming months.
“2021 marks the 35th Anniversary of Vision Expo East and we are very excited to bring the community together to celebrate this milestone,” said Fran Pennella, vice president of Vision Expo at Reed Exhibitions. “Over the next few months, we will be working closely with The Vision Council on finalizing the Show’s programming and neighborhoods. While 2021 may look different than years past, we are energized by the resilience the industry has demonstrated in the face of COVID-19. Our community is only as strong as its friendships, associations, and business relationships, which is why we are working diligently to host a Vision Expo event where new relationships are forged and friends can meet face to face again.”
To learn more about Vision Expo East, click here.