Dubai - ASIATODAY.COM - The upbeat nature of the international eye-care industry was highlighted by strong growth at the Middle East’s largest optical trade show, Vision-X, with the 15th edition of the event welcoming 4,268 unique visitors to a significantly expanded exhibition arena.
More than 150 exhibitors from over 26 countries showcased the latest international trends, technologies and designs during the three-day show, which took place from November 25-27 at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC).
The new-look show drew universal praise from exhibitors, with the UK’s Norville Group, the Netherlands’ Hoya Vision Care Europe and India’s Akriti Oculoplasty Logistics among dozens of international manufacturers and suppliers reporting strong show-floor trading and sales.
“We sold out three months’ worth of production by the second day,” said Adbul Ghani Khader , Sales Manager of Akriti Oculoplasty Logistics. “If Vision-X was held every three months that would be my business done.”
Paul Walden, Marketing Director at Norville Group, added: “Norville makes contact lenses in the traditional way so we can offer a much wider range and higher capacity than other international suppliers. We linked with buyers from Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Lebanon and Iran on the show’s first day alone and we made some great leads.”
With the refreshed show concept hinged on new brands and enhanced features, the Opticare Conference Programme – which was accredited by Dubai Health Authority and awarded 9.75 CPD Credit Points to delegates - attracted large numbers of attendees who were given the opportunity to earn CPD approved hours.
Drawing in the crowds, UK-based Hakim Group educated business owners on the competitive optical business environment with one-to-one professional guidance at the all-new Future in Focus seminars. Delegates were also given the opportunity to see, try and handle Google Glass live at the show – the first chance to do so in the region.
Ijaz Awan, business partner of Hakim Group said: “It was refreshing to see how receptive and attentive delegates and business owners were to new technologies - it stands the MENA optical industry in good stead to develop and grow over the next decade.”
With the world’s top fashion houses and designers rolling out dedicated eyewear lines, the 2014 edition of the region’s leading optical trade event featured a star-studded line-up of the optical industry’s biggest catwalk names.
Fashion TV Eyewear section, one of the 250 brands at the show, turned the venue into a replica scene from Paris Fashion Week with models taking to the catwalk to highlight their latest eyewear collection. Leading Lebanese dress designer; Walid Atallah, made a surprise appearance on the final day of the event, personally dressing the models with his latest clothes range.
“Vision-X is the most important show in the region in relation to the optical industry,” said Hiba Kadri, Designer and Creative Director at Fashion TV Eyewear. “It was vital for us to exhibit this year as this is Fashion TV’s brand new eyewear line and there is no better place for us to present our collection to customers and industry experts. You can clearly see the market that Vision-X is targeting and it was great to see such a high number of visitors attending the exhibition.”
Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions and Events Management, DWTC, added: “The rise in the number of unique visitors, which does not take into account multiple entries over the show’s three days, demonstrates the local, regional and international trade audience’s overwhelmingly positive response to the refreshed format of Vision-X.”
A trade-only event, next year’s Vision-X will take place from 7-9 December, 2015, at DWTC.
Vision-X 2014 was supported by Headline Sponsor, Vision & Fashion; Nikon & Kefan; Egma, GKB Hi-Tech and Medicals international. It was held in DWTC’s Sheikh Saeed Halls from November 25-27, Vision-X 2014 was strictly a trade-only event. The show opened daily from 10am to 6pm on November 25 and 26 and 10am to 5pm on November 27. More information about Vision-X 2014 can be found on the event’s website: www.vision-x.ae.
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