(L to R) Joseph May, Thomas Truckenbrod and Dieter Dohr.

MUNICH—Vision Monday was on hand, along with over 24,000 visitors from more than 80 countries, for last weekend’s Opti trade show, held from Jan. 10 to 12 at the Fairground Messe Munchen, based here. More than 500 exhibitors from 34 countries showed their products and collections in four sold-out halls. In 2013, organizers reported 23,200 industry professionals from 70 countries attended the show and 491 exhibitors participated.

According to organizers, the trade show, which takes place annually in January, is the ideal start for the industry. “Concentrated, compact, efficient and friendly,” is how Dieter Dohr, chairman of the management board of the GHM Gesellschaft fur Handwerksmessen mbH, described Opti. “In Munich, the most trendy companies from all sections of the optical industry exhibit, from frames to lenses and contact lenses to technical equipment, low vision, shop fittings and shop design.”



The success of the past years and the product ranges on offer have attracted the attention of trade visitors from far beyond the borders of Germany and Europe, as such, in 2014, Opti increased the number of international visitors. Additionally, a wrap up survey of participants once more proved their satisfaction with the product range of the exhibitors—94 percent of all visitors rated Opti as good or very good and gave organizers top grades. Additionally, 90 percent of visitors said the search for novelties, or new products, was a priority for them this time and they found what they were looking for: many exhibitors used the opportunity to present their new collections and product innovations in the sections of design and technology.

For Dohr, the increasing number of exhibitors, as well as visitors, is “a clear statement in favor of Opti and a clear vote for its date right at the beginning of the year.”



Organizers said Saturday was the best-visited day, followed by Friday, which also saw an increase in its number of visitors. However, despite the higher number of overall visitors, Dohr said it is not all about the numbers when accounting for the success of the show. “The right visitors have to come,” he explained. “It is the special atmosphere, the excitement, the exhibitors and visitors, which make Opti an event, that no one wants to miss out on.”

“The optical industry has gained a lot of support from Opti and is glad about the good start into the new year,” added Josef May, chairman of the Industry Association SPECTARIS. “The majority of exhibitors are very satisfied with the receipt of orders and the visitors. As regards the internationalization of the show, we’ve advanced once again. It had already started very well on Friday with full trade show corridors and stands. Additionally, the atmosphere was once again excellent. We now hope that a good and successful year with an increase in purchases lies ahead of us and that we together can carry this enthusiasm to the final consumer, in order to convince them of the different additional glasses and contact lenses.”

“Once more, right at the beginning of the year Opti has proved that it satisfied the taste of the visitors with its mix of up-to-date information, new ideas, products, and as an important industry meeting point,“ concluded Thomas Truckenbrod, president of the Central Association of Opticians. “And not only do the German opticians accept this offer. The good mood of the exhibitors also counts toward the success of Opti. I am satisfied that the dialogue within the industry works and I hope that the good atmosphere and the success of Opti will be reflected in the business of the opticians in the coming months of this year.”

Look for a full report and scenes from the show floor in the February 10 issue of Vision Monday.

The next Opti takes place Jan. 8 to 10, 2015, a move from Thursday to Saturday, at the Fairground Messe Munchen.