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25 April 2018

ExpoÓptica 2018 closes its doors having surpassed all expectations

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During its celebration, the trade show organised by IFEMA registered over 8,300 participants and brought 159 direct exhibiting companies together as well as close to 170 brands - 14 por ciento more than during the 2016 edition. Exhibitors presented their new products and innovations in an exhibition space of close to 5000m2, located in hall number 9.

ExpoÓptica, the International Optics, Optometry and Audiology Exhibition, Iberian Peninsula's leading professional fair for the sector and a business meeting place for all its agents in Spain and Portugal, has now concluded its thirty-second edition, which was held from the 13th to the 15th of April at IFEMA- Feria de Madrid, and which surpassed all expectations.

The trade show organised by IFEMA, registered over 8,300 participants and brought 159 direct exhibiting companies together as well as close to 170 brands - 14 por ciento more than during the 2016 edition. Exhibitors presented their new products and innovations in an exhibition space of 4879m2, located in hall number 9.

A new concept was launched for this latest edition of the event, in accordance with the market's new needs, incorporating 14 por ciento more prestigious national and international brands, as well as new attractive content which featured everything from the latest advances in the world of optics and optometry to the latest fashion proposals from the renowned brands present. Audiology was also granted special prominence this year, with the launch of a new dedicated space: ExpoAudio.

ExpoÓptica featured ophthalmic lenses, contact lenses, frames, sunglasses and optical instruments, raw materials, optical equipment, furniture, machinery, cases, accessories, spare parts, maintenance products, IT solutions for opticians, franchises, training, and much more. In short, the variety being showcased offered a very comprehensive view of the industry and of the Optics, Optometry, Contactology, Ophthalmology, Vision Loss (Health), and Preparation for Points of sale sectors.

ExpoÓptica 2018 wins back renowned brands amongst its exhibitors
This edition of the show boasted the renewed participation of renowned brands from the Optics and Audiology sectors. Some of the prominent Optics brands included, Prats, Essilor, Indo, Optiwin, Zeiss, Topcon, Visual Global, Bausch & Lomb, Grupo Nos, Optiwell, Servilens, Centrostyle, Visionix, Panoptica, Conoptica, Eurolent, Jaytesa, Quiksilver, Mark’Ennovy, Tiwi, Recoletos, ABS. And from the Audiology sector, Beltone, Interton, Bernafon, Otometrics, Widex, Audio Service, Inventis, Humangechnik and Oticon

Apart from the considerable number of businesses participating in ExpoÓptica, it is also worth noting the support it received from the sector's main associations and entities, such as the Spanish Federation of Optics Associations, FEDAO; the Spanish Association of Manufacture, Commercialization and General Import of Optics and Ophtalmology, AEO; the General Council of Optical Optometrist Colleges, CNOO; and the public interest association Vision and Life.

Fashion, one of this edition's main points of interest
Fashion played a prominent role in this edition of ExpoOptica - with its own dedicated area in the show for the second year running, called ModaÓptica. The area showcased glasses with a high fashion and design component which strive to reflect a lifestyle, including prescription frames and sunglasses.

Specifically, the ModaÓptica area featured the collections of new and established designers, as well as independent brands, with exclusive, cutting-edge creations which are very much in line with current fashion trends. Some of the designs on show featured innovative or ecological materials. This was a unique opportunity to discover the latest trends in frames and design first hand, before they are launched into the market.

All the products featured in this space will be included in a catalogue to be made available at opticians in Spain, Portugal and South America. This will expand their reach to potential consumers, as well as to professionals and press specialising in optics and fashion.

ExpoAudio, new monographic sector dedicated to Audiology
Audiology was also granted special prominence this year, with the launch of a new dedicated space: ExpoAudio. ExpoAudio was a monographic area within the ExpoÓptica framework where all the most notable developments in this industry were showcased. This new section came about as a result of the growth in the Audiology market over recent years and the growing trend through which opticians are offering a space dedicated to Audiology in their establishments, next to their optic and optometry facilities.

Optics Gala
One of the most significant new additions for this edition was the celebration of the first ever Optics Gala, conceived as a party for exhibitors and visitors, during which prizes were awarded to brands in recognition of their design and fashion focus and new product trends.

Five prizes were awarded during the Gala. The prize for Best Business Trajectory was awarded to Francisco Prats; the prize for the most chic glasses, which combine design and practicality, chosen by a group of experts, was awarded to Optiwell and the award for the most chic glasses, which show attention to trends, style and fashion, voted through polls on social media, went to Emoji. Finally, the prizes for a life in optics and to the sector's personality of the year were awarded to Juan Delgado Espinosa (Multiópticas) and Juan Carlos Martínez Moral (CGCOO) respectively.

Advances in the sector, at the Scientific and Technological Innovation Gallery
ExpoÓptica 2018 hosted the second edition of the Scientific and Technological Innovation Gallery for the ophthalmic optics and optometry sector. This gallery, which was held for the first time at the previous edition of the show, was organised by Ifema-ExpoÓptica and the General Council of Optical Optometrist Colleges (CGCOO), and is an R D I showcase for the industry featuring the most advanced optometry and ophthalmic optics products and services. The businesses chosen at this second edition were: Beltone, with its products Beltone Trust and Beltone Remote Care; Oticon, with Oticon Opn; Conóptica at Stand 9B03 presenting Life Experience, the new training concept and lastly, Audio Service, with their new Audio Service platform.

The ExpoÓptica Gallery
Similarly, ExpoÓptica 2018 hosted the third edition of the ExpoÓptica Gallery, an area of the fair where the exhibitors can highlight their most significant product. This time the companies who took part in this attractive showcase were Zeiss, Jaytesa, Life Loft, Natural Optics Group, Optic View, Conóptica, Oticon, Medical Equipment Design, GN Hearing Care, SAUINVENTIS and AS Ibérica.

25th edition of the OPTOM Congress
As at every edition, ExpoÓptica coincided with the celebration of the 25th International Optometry, Contactology and Ophthalmic Optics Congress, OPTOM. OPTOM is a scientific and professional event with significant international projection and prestige. This is an unmissable event for visual health experts and specialists, organised by the General Council of Optical Optometrist Colleges. Well known national and international experts within the Optics and Optometry sector took part in this edition of the congress which took place from the 13th to the 15th of April at the Puerta Norte Convention Centre at Feria de Madrid. This edition of the congress registered a total of 1.300 professionals.

And so, ExpoÓptica 2018 has now closed its doors till its next edition in 2020, confident that the great rhythm and excitement felt during this edition will result in many sales agreements and benefit all the exhibiting companies and brands.