Image courtesy of GHM
MUNICH, Germany—opti 2022 concluded in Munich, Germany on May 15 after three days at Fairground Munich. From May 13 to 15, the show saw about 13,000 visitors from 71 countries, according to show organizers, with about three quarters of visitors saying their main aim at the show was to “exchange ideas with colleagues in the industry and to initiate business relationships.” This special spring edition of opti, the first time the show has been held in May, showcased 368 exhibitors from 25 countries, including a number of first-time exhibitors. The show was originally scheduled for Jan. 14-16, 2022 but was rescheduled to May due to increasing COVID-19 cases, VMAIL reported.

Dieter Dohr, chairman of the opti organizer GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen, said, “opti 2022 is first and foremost an emotional experience. Finally a trade show again. Finally personal exchanges again. The conditions were not easy, and we are delighted to see how many have deliberately chosen the May edition. Visitors, exhibitors, trade show specialists—like never before, the focus was on bringing together all the stakeholders in opti and conducting exchanges between everyone. At this spring opti, everyone once again became fully aware of what we have missed over the last two years.”

Dohr said, “We certainly couldn’t pick up exactly where we left off before the pandemic, and that was also never the goal. Holding opti was an important signal and the right first step. In times of global change and challenges, sustainable discussions are a fundamental need. Now more than ever, it is important to find new solutions and opportunities together and through exchanges with all.”

Thélios was among the first-time exhibitors at opti 2022. Imke Nietfeld, managing director/country manager DACH at Thélios Deutschland GmbH, said, “opti 2022 was the first trade show worldwide where Thélios presented its Maisons. The optics industry was able to get to know our broad portfolio of brands and to convince itself of the quality of our glasses, without obligation. We have made good contacts and reached quite a few new customers.”

opti 2023 is scheduled for January 27 to 29 at Fairground Munich, returning to its traditional winter edition. Registration is not yet open.