Optrafair and 100% Optical to merge
The Federation of Manufacturing Opticians (FMO) and Media 10, organiser of 100% Optical, have announced a new partnership to deliver one UK industry show from 2021 onwards following the cancellation of Optrafair 2020.
Optrafair 2020 had been due to take place at the NEC Birmingham between 19-21 September, however, the FMO along with MA Exhibitions, a member of the Mark Allen Group, have cancelled the show due to the continued uncertainty surrounding delivery of events as a result of Covid-19.
Under the new agreement, the Optrafair brand will transition to Media 10 ownership from the 2021 show onwards; due to take place at the ExCeL London from 23-25 January.
Nathan Garnett, event director at 100% Optical, said: “We are living through uncertain times. Whilst this agreement would have been reached without the current pandemic, its importance now is magnified as the optical industry needs solidarity at this time.
“With the FMO’s full backing of 100% Optical, coupled with that of the AOP [Association of Optometrists] and ABDO, I can see huge potential for us to take 100% Optical forwards, grow our attendance levels, increase the diversity of our content, and make it an even more unmissable date in the UK and international optical calendar.”
FMO chairman, Stuart Burn
Stuart Burn, chairman of the FMO, commented: “We are delighted with the outcome of this agreement that will allow FMO members to concentrate on one major exhibition, which will be fantastic for all of us. I am looking forward to working with Media 10, and believe this partnership will provide both tangible benefits and cost savings to our members and other exhibitors. Now more than ever we can come together as an industry at 100% Optical and tackle the key issues facing optics today.”
On the cancellation of Optrafair 2020, Matt Govett, managing director of MA Exhibitions, had this to say: “In addition to the Optrafair brand transitioning across to Media 10, and in light of the current circumstances around the viability of events due to the pandemic, MA Exhibitions and the FMO reluctantly made the decision to cancel Optrafair 2020, which was due to take place in September at the NEC. We fully support the move between Media 10 and the FMO to create one new event to support the sector from 2021 onwards. We wish Media 10 and the FMO well in their new endeavours.”
Henrietta Alderman, AOP chief executive, responded: “As the official partner to the show, the AOP is pleased that the optical bodies representing the different constituent parts of this industry can come together at 100% Optical in 2021. The sector as a whole will benefit from this new collaboration and together we will continue to lead the profession through a changing landscape.”
ABDO general secretary, Tony Garrett, said: “ABDO has had a long and happy association with Optrafair, and therefore there is some understandable sadness that it will not continue. However, it is very good news for the whole sector that there will be just one show each year which we can all fully support. We look forward to a successful working arrangement with 100% Optical for many years to come and a show that is able to grow and develop.”
Media 10 said it was working with ExCeL London and the local health authorities on ways to ensure 100% Optical 2021 is Covid-19 safe, with adherence to all the latest government guidelines on running safe trade exhibitions.