25 September 2026
What will your plans for the first few months of 2027 look like? Considering your own professional goals and planning your continuing professional development (CPD) as the final year of the cycle begins? Exploring networking opportunities? Comparing new brands and equipment to take the practice to the next level?
All of the above and more can be found at 100% Optical, taking place at Excel London between 27 February and 1 March 2027.
Registration is now open for the annual optical event, which promises plenty of opportunities to browse the latest in design and technology, attend valuable continuing professional development (CPD), and catch up with friends from across the profession.
The AOP is the official UK partner for 100% Optical, with Dr Byki Huntjens, education lead at the association, curating an education programme for the 2027 event.
Huntjens told OT: “100% Optical gives you permission to be curious. You can deepen your knowledge in your own area, but also discover something completely new.”
With 2027 marking the end of the current CPD cycle, practitioners are encouraged to review their CPD progress – the knowledge gained and consolidated at the event can have immediate benefits for practice.
Huntjens said: “Good education should travel home with you. I hope delegates leave 100% Optical with at least one idea that they can put into practice the next day.”
Delegates are encouraged to register early to receive updates and announcements over the coming months. Organisers will also be exploring provision for those who will be observing Ramadan. Delegates can note if they will be observing Ramadan when registering.
OT heard from two practices about the reasons they attend 100% Optical, and how they prepare ahead of time to make the most out of the event.
100% Optical gives you permission to be curious
Woodhouse Opticians
The whole practice team at Woodhouse Opticians in Blackpool attended 100% Optical in 2026: practice manager, optometrist and two dispensing opticians.
Sukie Woodhouse, director of Woodhouse Opticians, explained that the show offers the practice a way to build relationships as a team, while also connecting into the larger optical profession.
When preparing for the show, Woodhouse said the team will discuss their aims, from visiting existing suppliers and to attending CPD, to sourcing new equipment and ranges.
At the 2026 show, the team wanted to check out new arrivals with Hudson Eyewear, so they pre-booked an appointment, and also caught up with their lens suppliers, Deepcove Optical.
Woodhouse explained how the focus of the practice refines their search. “We were looking to introduce a new range – something we do annually to keep interest and originality – we have a particular focus on sustainability so only purchase from suppliers who can evidence their frames’ provenance and the fact that they are on the journey to sustainability or net zero,” she told OT.
Ahead of the 2026 show, the practice identified that they wanted to look into upgrading its optical coherence tomography and so attended to consider offers.
A highlight from the show was making a new connection, Woodhouse said: “We were very taken with the winner of the Love Eyewear Award for accessories, Kodes.”
Members of the practice team take the opportunity to attend education at the event, while networking is also important. Woodhouse said: “It’s great to meet our colleagues in the independent sector who we often only see at 100% Optical.”
The Focal Rooms
Billy Brown, partner at The Focal Rooms in Southport, described the show as “invaluable” for the practice in maintaining and strengthening relationships with its key independent suppliers.
He told OT: “Staying plugged into the wider optical world, hunting down fresh frame designs and getting hands-on with new tech is a huge deal for us as an independent practice. We’ve been making the trip for years now and honestly try not to miss it.”
For the practice, the priority is to catch up with their core frame representatives and software partners early, with staying at the forefront of boutique design, such as Blake Kuwahara and Feb31st, key.
“Our game plan is always a mix of military precision and total spontaneity,” Brown said.
“We strictly apply a rule to leave big chunks of time completely wide open. That way, we can just wander the floor, get lost in the buzz, and stumble upon incredible new niche eyewear designers we might never have found otherwise,” he added.
When it comes to preparing for the event, Brown explained: “We like to have a loose plan of key people and brand stands to visit, but we also leave plenty of space to explore and see where the day takes us.”
“Having a mix of structured catch ups and open wandering works best for discovering hidden gems,” he said.
The show also provides an opportunity to celebrate achievements, as the practice won the 2026 Love Eyewear Award for Eyewear Retailer of the Year.
Brown shared: “We’re riding that momentum and continuing to fly the flag for boutique, independent frame craftsmanship and custom in-house glazing.”
Reflecting on outcomes from the event, Brown said: “It’s been absolute gold for building real, lasting relationships with independent suppliers and frame houses. Beyond bringing home gorgeous new frame lines to show off, getting to test-drive practice management software up close and catch up face-to-face with industry mates makes the whole trip with its weight in gold.”
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