Zyloware's Jamie Shyer welcomed Randy Jackson and his eyewear collection to the booth.
LBI Eyewear's Alena Lehrer visited with professional boxer Victor Ortiz, who was making a guest appearance to talk about Geek Eyewear.
As part of the Coppertone Polarized Lenses Mia Hamm meet and greet event, customers, media and Vision-Ease Lens employees met the soccer star (c), and had an opportunity for autographs and photos.

LAS VEGAS—Whether exhibiting, shopping for products or looking for technologies to upgrade optical practices, the business atmosphere at this year’s Expo was positive, according to comments from attendees and exhibitors.

Vision Expo West proved to be a busy show—preliminary attendance reports indicate the event attracted over 12,500 attendees, following 2013’s record-breaking 25th anniversary year, according to show organizers. More than 450 brands were showcased in an exhibit hall spanning the length of three football fields, and attendees were introduced to more than 400 hours of new and popular Continuing Education developed by a conference advisory board representing the breadth of the field, show organizers said.

Deborah Castor, vice president of shows and meetings for The Vision Council, said attendees’ desire to learn was clear from the start. “With more than 12,000 attendees and exhibitors and our buzzing social media audience of more than 55,000 eyecare professionals, the entire industry is actively tapped into the news, products and events that debut only at Vision Expo.”

Steven Ferucci, OD, who practices at Sepulveda VA Hospital and spoke at “Discussions in Posterior Segment and Retinal Disease,” found it beneficial for herself and her listeners to present in the CE track. “Every time I lecture at Vision Expo, I actually learn a little something. I think by putting together a presentation, you force yourself to actually be on the cutting edge. As I am teaching participants, I have taught myself, so it helps me as well.”

Valerie Vittu, owner of Margot and Camille Optique in Philadelphia and speaker at “Communicating the Craftsmanship and Technology of High-End Eyewear,” shared Ferucci’s sentiment. “Speaking at Vision Expo benefits me personally because when people ask questions, they are often things I never would have thought of. Sharing with others helps me grow.”

Du Nguyen, OD, of Nguyen Vision Inc., was pleased as an attendee of CE courses. “This is not my first time at Vision Expo but it is the first time I have ever taken a class. I like how interactive the Wet Lab was; they actually brought up patients to try on actual lenses. It didn’t feel like they were trying to sell us the product as much as it felt like they were trying to actually help the patient.”

Karen Hameny, buyer and optician at Eye Clinic of Wisconsin, also had some prior experience with Vision Expo but was especially pleased with the options available for learning and product viewing. “This is my third Vision Expo, but my first one here in Vegas. Being a frame buyer, I was looking forward to Board Management classes. It was very exciting to see all of the trends for this year in class and then go out onto the floor and see them all represented,” Hameny said.

On the Show floor, frames, lenses, lab equipment and new technologies brought buzz and excitement to attendees and exhibitors alike.

Bruce Steffey, president of National Vision, Inc., said, “There’s a very upbeat tone among people we’ve been talking to here at the show this week. There is a lot of excitement around new products, technologies and ideas.”

Joe Tallier, vice president of global sales at Ogi, pointed out a growing enthusiasm among ECPs. “We’ve seen a very enthusiastic customer at this Vision Expo West, it’s been really exciting. The clients that are here are very optimistic about the future of the optical industry.”

Many attendees knew exactly what they wanted and came with mapped out strategies in mind.

“We’re here to learn and get educated. We’ve come to these shows for 31 years and we still love them, we’re still learning. The education, the technology, the exposure to what’s new—we just can’t get enough of it,” said Debra Younkin, optician and Nina Revetta, owner of Sunset Optics in Erie, Pa.

“We come to [Vision Expo West] most years,” said Ann Poloncak, OD, co-owner of Precision Vision Care in Virginia, “and sometimes East as well. We’re opening a new location so we’re doing everything—buying equipment, buying frames and trying to find new labs. My husband’s doing all the frame buying, he’s got the fun part.”

Samantha Millard, optician at Doctor My Eyes in Scottsdale, Ariz., was also on spec for tech, as well as new frame styles. “We’re looking for a lensometer, a topographer and a retinal camera. We want to upgrade the instruments we’re currently using. We’re always looking for the latest and greatest frames: geek chic, xyl, matte. I want to learn what’s coming. That’s what I like best about Vision Expo.”

A takeaway throughout has been appreciation for the networking opportunities Vision Expo West provides. “We’re really excited to connect with current customers, meet some new ones and reconnect with other companies in the industry,” said Anthony Roberts, VP of optical at Babiators. “There is no substitute for a good face-to-face meeting. [Vision Expo] West is where we started in optical so we look forward to coming out here each year.”