Industry hails “vibrant” 100% Optical

Trying out the Kudos virtual lens dispensing experience

From stalwarts to start-ups, the industry’s response to 100% Optical 2024 was one of high praise and positivity.

With record-breaking registrations and 11,725 attendees – representing a 10 per cent year-on-year increase on its previous record attendance – the show marked its 10th anniversary in style with new concepts and partnerships.

For first-time exhibitor UltraVision, the event provided the perfect platform to showcase its new brand, mission and values under the leadership of recently-appointed CEO Sarahjane Cross. The modern logo and brand elements, along with a new website, are designed to reflect Ultravision’s ethos for “improved quality of life through improving vision and eye health for all”.

Thomas Hedley, UltraVision commercial manager, told DO Online: “Feedback from delegates and colleagues visiting the stand was that this event was well rounded with a great mix of exhibitors, education and products. We were delighted with the genuine interest from delegates in our products, and we were able to talk to current and prospective customers about the custom soft contact lens industry. We look forward to sponsoring again in 2025.”

Millmead Optical Group had much to discuss with visitors, keen to participate in the Jai Kudo Lenses Kudos virtual experience and discover more about this new personalised progressive lens design concept. There was an expanded accessories portfolio to browse following Optoplast’s acquisition of Louis Stone’s cases and cloth business, and centre stage from Continental Eyewear was the highly-collectable new Mr Men and Little Miss range.

“The show was fantastic all round,” said Millmead CEO, James Conway. “The visitor numbers were great and the engagement with our partners, both new and old, was very strong. People arrived looking to view new and innovative products – and we hope we captured the imagination of our partners.” The company has already booked for 2025.

CooperVision’s stand focused on the latest stage of its Fresh Thinking campaign, Fresh Start, continuing an industry-wide conversation around how the contact lens patient journey can evolve to help grow the contact lens category. Via interactive touch screens, visitors gleaned hints and tips to help support and grow their contact lens business.

They also cast their vote on the pinch points they find the most challenging at each stage of the contact lens patient fitting journey: 42 per cent found the on-the-day stage to be the most challenging, compared to 29 per cent for both the pre- and post-fit stage. CooperVision CPD sessions provided more 800 education opportunities across the three days, while racing car simulators and a healthy juice bar provided some light relief.

Keran Fordham, CooperVision regional director, UK&I, said: “We would like to thank 100% Optical for creating such a vibrant industry forum over the past 10 years, which has been the perfect place to launch and continue our Fresh Thinking campaign. By facilitating this conversation between eyecare professionals our aim is to help practices’ contact lens fitting to be as efficient as possible, whilst always placing patients at the heart of the experience.”

Racing to the finish on the CooperVision stand

For the National Eyecare Group’s (NEG) IT division Optinet, celebrating the launch of its new cloud-based practice management system Nova, the show “was a truly positive experience”. Phil Mullins, NEG managing director, told DO Online: “It was great to speak to so many independent eyecare practitioners who have such a positive view and who are looking to work with us to support their business. Pleasingly, we had great conversations with young professionals who are just starting out on their independent adventure.

“The launch of the new Optinet Nova was a great success, with both current users and potentially new users all giving very positive feedback, with many practices wanting to install it in their business. Overall, the show seemed busier than in previous years and had a great atmosphere of positivity, which is encouraging for everyone for the year ahead,” added Phil.

Described by Bondeye associate director of business development, Vijay Chauhan, as “by far our busiest year yet” – the show enabled the company to showcase its key brands. “With more than 3,000 products on offer, we were able to speak to students, practice owners and locums on how we can help and support for future purchases,” Vijay told DO Online.

“Highlights for our customers were the colourful SeeSoo personalised lens cleaning bottles with refill station, our easy to fit iPlay children’s frames and we celebrated our approved distribution of big brands such as Volk and Oculus trial frames,” Vijay continued. “We also launched our new website, designed for optometry and dispensing optics students to purchase the equipment they need to complete their course in confidence.”

The Body Doctor team was rendered hoarse after the show such was their level of visitor interaction – leading to record-breaking sales, leads and overall engagement. Sam Wymer, sales and marketing director, told DO Online immediately after the show: “We are unbelievably grateful to every single person who visited our stand.

“We went bigger and better – and felt as though the whole industry did the same, which is amazing to see. Whilst we have no voices left, our bodies feel broken, our hearts are full with the support shown and our heads are already planning 2025. It was the best attended event we have ever had.”

Rodenstock’s BIG Vision For All concept was a key focal point for its stand this year, with visitors trying out the new DNEye Scanner 3, delving into the features and benefits of the new Solitaire LayR coating, and enjoying demonstrations of ImpressionIST 4+ – the latest generation 3D video centring system.

Lucy Hunt, Rodenstock UK marketing director, described the response to the company’s presence at the show as “superb” – with a 100 per cent increase in stand visitor numbers compared to 2023. She said: “We met with so many long-standing Rodenstock partners and introduced the BIG Vision For All philosophy to new practice owners too. Our highly popular Iris Photo Experience offered partners an opportunity to view their iris up close. We created over 300 colourful iris images to demonstrate that Every Eye is Different.”

Showcasing new lens innovations

Essilor Instruments demonstrated optical equipment from its new distribution partners, with the launch of the Medmont Meridia topographer and the slit lamp range from Takagi. Its new in-practice ES edgers range was also front and centre – with visitors enjoying demonstrations throughout the three days.

Alan Pitcher, commercial director for wholesale lenses at EssilorLuxottica, said: “It was a busy few days for the team with a steady flow of visitors to the stand and, as always, the perfect opportunity to network with our existing business partners and welcome new ECPs to our stand to discuss how we can support their 2024 growth plans. This year a key focus for us was on the equipment side of the business, and we used the event as a platform to launch the new ES 700/800 edger ranges, which generated a lot of interest from ECPs keen to upgrade or begin an in-house glazing service.”

For family-run Italian eyewear company Blackfin, 100% Optical 2024 proved “an extraordinary milestone – exceeding all expectations”. CEO Nicola Del Din said: “The enthusiasm and interest shown by top-tier opticians has validated our new branding strategy in the UK and Ireland, which is centred around the distribution through two exclusive Blackfin executive accounts with very strong professional background.

“Our short-term goal is to position the UK market within the top three in Europe, alongside Germany and Italy, further strengthening our presence and impact on the international optical scene. This positive feedback not only fills us with pride but also gives us energy for the upcoming launch of direct distribution in the United States. I am deeply excited about these significant advancements, which I see as a deep evolution in the maturity of our company and brand,” added Nicola.

With 80 per cent of space already booked for 2025, confidence is flying high as 100% Optical looks forward to the next decade showcasing the very best in the world of optics.

100% Optical 2025 will take place from 1-3 March.