MILAN—The 52nd edition of Mido will open tomorrow, Saturday, February 3, 2024 and run through Monday, February 5, in Milan. The seven pavilions of Fieramilano Rho will host more than 1,200 exhibitors (up 25 percent from last year) from 50 countries, and visitors from more than 130 nations. Mido president Giovanni Vitaloni said, “Anticipation surrounding this new edition is off the charts because the entire system needs an energy infusion to face the new year with optimism.

"Above all, Mido's mission is to bring together supply and demand in a conducive atmosphere to do business. Our exhibitors and the thousands of trade professionals who visit Mido each year know that here they can close major deals, and we aim to facilitate that process by giving them all the logistic and organizational support possible,” Vitaloni said.

In addition to exhibitors, Mido hosts meetings, continuing education and interaction. OTTICLUB, in Pavilion 1, hosts a series of events, workshops and seminars, designed and developed to address issues facing the industry. It will host speakers including Diego Dalla Palma, Ernst Knam, Mara Servetto and Ico Migliore, who will be interviewed by sociologist Francesco Morace during the MIDO MIDday Talks each day.

 
 Mido president Giovanni Vitaloni.
The OTTICLUB will also host a Market Insight talk, a HOW TO? series, seminars on medical and scientific topics as well as AI, sustainability and DEI. In addition, the "Inclusive language – Words Matter" Empowering Optical Women Leadership program will be discussed at the OTTICLUB on Saturday. The results achieved one year after the inception of the program that supports women in leadership positions in the eyewear industry, sponsored by ANFAO and Fondazione Bellisario, will also be presented at that time. A full schedule of events is available online here.

At a press conference on Wednesday morning ahead of the show, ANFAO president Lorraine Berton shared Italian eyewear industry trends and the outlook for the coming year, explaining, “The year 2023 closed on a positive note, with growth in exports and production; the number of companies has remained stable and employment is experiencing moderate growth. With the new year, we are once again faced with uncertainty, especially internationally, to the detriment of exports, essential to our industry more than to others, because they are the driver of Italian manufacturing and the litmus test of our global competitiveness.”

In a report from ANFAO, Berton said, “We are once again facing an uncertain situation, but—as before—our Association will do its share, supporting companies and staking our claim to the necessary instruments, which must necessarily include a new national and European industrial policy. To maintain current levels of excellence and represent the most authentic Made in Italy, we ask the institutions to encourage investment: only by investing in new technologies and new skills can we truly innovate and be competitive.

"Companies must be assisted in the two main challenges of today: the digital transition and the green transition. Made in Italy itself embraces—in all its forms—the concept of sustainability. Our eyewear has always been well-designed and well-made, now it needs to also be increasingly sustainable and innovative. This is a goal we must pursue with all our strength, giving free rein to creativity and resources,” Berton said.

Journalist Alessandra Albarello shared a look at 2024 trends at Wednesday's press conference as well. She focused on trends in neutral shades, nature-inspired colors, sustainable materials, contrasting thicknesses, sculptural shapes and an overall tactile feel.

Alongside the in-person show, Mido has updated its website for accessibility and developed new reserved areas with exclusive content differentiated by user type. The Mido app features an updated profile section that allows exhibitors to save visitors’ accesses to their stands and for visitors to save the most useful information from their show. Those who are not attending the show can follow along on Instagram, Facebook and X.

Mido will be held at Fieramilano Rho, (Strada Statale del Sempione 28) from Saturday Feb. 3 to Monday Feb. 5 with the following hours: Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Monday 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.