(PRESS RELEASE) ALEXANDRIA, VA – With its 30th anniversary show, Vision Expo West experienced a nearly double-digit increase in attendance compared to 2017. Pre-audited results show close to 13,000 eyecare professionals from across the world attended the event, with attendance increasing in nearly every category and substantial increases in attendance titles of opticians and optometrists, as well as in independent OD and MD practices, multidisciplinary practices, chains/superstores and laboratories.
Of those in attendance, over 4,500 participated in the various education programs learning the latest in contact lens, business solutions, optical technology, retail strategies, clinical concepts and more. The buzz extended beyond the convention center, with Vision Expo’s social channels garnering over 3.8 million impressions, an 11 percent increase from last year.
OptiCon @ Vision Expo, a dedicated program for opticians and contact lens technicians, had a successful debut at Vision Expo West, with almost 700 packages sold and a record turnout of attendees at the party and OptiCon Hub. Throughout Vision Expo West, a variety of other events and celebrations seamlessly combined networking with education on and off the show floor to provide attendees the opportunity to connect and collaborate. Heavy foot traffic was evident throughout the halls, including new Exhibit Hall neighborhoods, BLOCK and NEXT, featuring new exhibitors and standing room only fashion shows and panel discussions.
Winner of Best Brand Activation in the Best Booth Awards, Europa Eyewear/STATE Optical Co., created a 3D virtual experience giving attendees an inside-look at their manufacturing process. Costa took home the Best Booth Award for Most Creative Booth Design.
The winners of this year’s Vision Choice Award, in which attendees can view and vote for the best product featured in the Product Gallery, included first place winner Miraflex, second place winner Lunette and third place winner Mó Eyewear.
Vision Expo East 2019 is around the corner, taking place from March 21–24 at the Javits Center in New York City, and Vision Expo West 2019 is set for Sept. 18–21 back at the Sands. Plans to expand successful programs from this year’s Vision Expo West will provide the vision community the opportunity to learn and grow in their careers while guiding the industry forward.
View attendees’ testimonials on this year’s events, activations and education are here. To learn more about Vision Expo, visit VisionExpo.com.