Latest News Countdown to International Opti-Munich 2013 By Staff Monday, January 14, 2013 12:24 AM MUNICH— Opti 2013, to be held at the Fairground Messe München from Jan. 25 to 27, kicks off the new business year of the international optics industry. This year, over 450 international exhibitors will be showcasing their innovations and latest product releases with 23,000 industry professionals from over 60 countries expected to attend. According to organizers, many exhibitors are reacting favorably to the number of international visitors, which has been growing over the years, as it provides an ideal platform for unveiling new lenses and eyewear, but also for meeting international partners. Oliver Kastalio, CEO of the Rodenstock Group, said “We wouldn’t miss Opti for the world. It’s the best way to kick-start the new financial year. The German market still forms the crux of our business but we are also seeing huge potential in the emerging markets, in the Middle and Far East, in the Asia-Pacific region and in South America. Even the developed markets in Europe represent a real opportunity for further growth.” “We are expecting to see lots of international visitors at the trade show,” said Marchon managing director, Tony Klijn. He shared that brand managers will be flying in from Italy for opti 2013 to offer brand training and to learn more about opticians’ needs and also believes that the trade show will be useful for exchanging information on an international level and discussing new strategies. “Our company’s top international managers from the USA, Italy and the Netherlands will be at Opti, because we are all well aware of how important the German market is to our company at an international level,” concluded Klijn. “We see Opti as an important platform for making international contacts,” added Lunor chairman Ulrich Fux. “It’s important to us because we would like to build contacts with distributors in Turkey and Portugal.” Launched in 1998, Opti takes place annually at the beginning of the year and is held at the Munich Trade Fair Centre. Since 2008 the trade show has been run by GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH.