NEW YORK—As Vision Expo East 2019 begins its final day, show organizers are upbeat about the mood and momentum of this year’s show. Initial pre-registration figures showed an increase in registration for key categories, including optical buyers, practice managers, optometric technicians and opticianry assistants, Vision Expo reported. And of the 7,000 companies present at this year’s Show, one-third of attendees represent new practices and optical locations. Here’s what co-owners of the Show, The Vision Council and Reed Exhibitions, told the Daily about this year’s Vision Expo.

“More than ever before, the importance of eyewear and eyecare can be seen throughout New York City and the nation. Earlier this week, a full-page ad ran in the New York Times highlighting the importance of vision and the options available in seeking care. In Times Square, Think About Your Eyes videos are playing in multiple locations once an hour, and eyewear advertisements can be seen on taxis throughout the city. The message is clear: There have never been more ways to care for your eyes.

“Each year, Reed Exhibitions and The Vision Council work to ensure that quality buyers and industry professionals attend Vision Expo. As a result, the Shows continue to be the largest of their kind in the country and serve as the complete event for the vision community. Each exhibitor and every individual’s attendance enable Vision Expo to provide a memorable event as well as aiding The Vision Council in fulfilling its mission of promoting the industry though education, advocacy, research, consumer outreach, strategic relationship building and industry forums.

“Vision Expo continues to be an event for the entire optical industry to come together under one roof. Over the course of three days, more than 50 supporting organizations and their members attended Vision Expo East to hold meetings, network and learn, including state optometric associations, colleges, trade associations, alliances and buying groups.”

According to show organizers, to further increase awareness about the importance of eyewear and eyecare, The Vision Council hosted several press events throughout Vision Expo East to showcase exhibitors. On Thursday evening, 36 eyewear and medical exhibitors gathered at The Gramercy Park Hotel to highlight their product to more than 80 consumer and trade influencers, as well as members of the media. The following day at the Javits Center, press participated in an Exhibit Hall tour to experience the Show first-hand.