The Vision Council surprised ECPs across the industry spectrum when it announced it was moving Vision Expo East from New York City to Orlando, Florida starting in 2025.

The decision put an end to a near 40-year run in NYC.

The Vision Council, however, has been looking for ways to infuse new energy into the U.S. eyecare industry’s tentpole events.

“We’re confident that hosting Vision Expo in Orlando will position our customers for greater success and we’re incredibly excited to deliver a brand new, elevated and connected experience there,” says Fran Pennella, Vice President, Vision Expo, at RX, co-organizer of Vision Expo in a press release.

The long-term effects, if any, of VEE’s relocation to Central Florida are yet to be seen.

However, the decision already has begun to create ripples in the optical space.

SECO has enjoyed a bit of a resurgence post pandemic.

However, it’s held the same time of year as Vision Expo East. This year the two events are just two weeks apart.

What happens in 2025 when VEE moves to the same region of the country?

10,000 Frames Midwest Eyewear Show hosted its inaugural event this year in Minneapolis, MN.

It is gearing up for show No. 2 in April 2024.

“We feel there is a void in the industry in our area and wanted to put together an event that is focused on independent frame lines,” says Paige Kraemer, one of the event’s organizers, in a press release earlier this year.

“It can be cost prohibitive to travel to larger national shows, and we wanted to make sure there was a more affordable local alternative.”

The Heart of America Eye Care Congress has been a popular regional show for more than 60 years.

HOAECC President Scott Drakes, OD, touts the event’s educational opportunities, a near triple digit vendor list, and an environment of camaraderie as reasons for its sustained success.

This year’s event is in February in Kansas City, MO.

Not long after The Vision Council announced VEE’s transition to Florida, The North East Optical Show pounced on the opportunity to fill the possible void left behind.

NEOS hopes to build off its annual single-day events in Boston and Washington, D.C. with an added two-day event planned for the East Coast in 2024.

Eyewear Artwalk also released plans this fall for a series of eyewear fashion events across the country in 2024.

“The Visionaries Fashion Show empowers independent eyewear brands to showcase their eyewear collections in both public and private fashion shows.”

The Italian Trade Agency just hosted a pair of successful events this fall in Seattle and Chicago featuring independent Italian eyewear.

From most accounts, the Extraordinary Italian Eyewear Events were a success.

The LOFT Eyewear Show quickly announced on the heels of the Vision Council’s decision to relocate VEE that it had no plans on leaving New York City.

LOFT founder Richard Mewha says in a press release: “We love this city, and after 23 years, cannot imagine holding our event anywhere else.”

Vision Expo East‘s last hurrah in New York City is fast approaching.

VEE runs March 14-17 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan.

Vision Expo West 2024 is scheduled for Sept. 18-21 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, NV.