Optrafair 20/20 postponed until September

Optrafair 20/20, scheduled to have taken place from 4–6 April, has been postponed until 19–21 September, due to concerns surrounding coronavirus (COVID-19).

The event organisers had previously confirmed the event would go ahead as planned, with a number of enhanced hygiene and sanitation measures.

However, the FMO Board and MA Exhibitions have now announced that, having monitored the situation and taken onboard stakeholder views and concerns, the “unanimous” decision has been made to postpone Optrafair 20/20.

The decision was taken in consultation with the venue and with advice from the Government and public health authorities, organisers confirmed.

“The health, safety, and well-being of Optrafair 20/20 exhibitors, visitors and staff has always been our number one priority,” MA Exhibitions said in a statement. “We hope that by making this decision now we can eliminate the uncertainty and reduce the inconvenience felt by registered exhibitors and visitors,” it added.

Optrafair 20/20 will now take place from 19–21 September at the NEC Birmingham. Organisers confirmed all bookings would be transferred.

BIB Ophthalmic Instruments had planned to exhibit at Optrafair 20/20 and were due to officially launch 'TuneAmp,' a new hearing device, at the event as the newly-appointed exclusive UK distributors for their range of products.

“We are now in a soft launch at the moment. Though we had planned a much larger launch at Optrafair 20/20, the postponement is not going to put a stop to the launch,” Tim Baker, Group CEO of BIB Group Holdings told OT. He added: “We’re going to carry on marketing the products through the usual trade journals, direct marketing, as well as via the main BIB website where full information is now live.”

“It’s not going to be too much of a loss for us at this stage, though pick-up may be slower than we had planned with our official launch,” Mr Baker continued. “I think everyone has to get used to the delays with the world crisis surrounding COVID-19, there is nothing to do except to postpone and plan for a good outcome once things have settled down.”

Event organisers behind Optrafair 20/20 also looked ahead in the statement, concluding: “We now have the opportunity to realise our promise of the best ever Optrafair in September without the uncertainty which inevitably faces us all at the moment.”

OT endeavours to keep the most up-to-date news on our website and this information was correct when published. However, the situation regarding COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. Please check OT’s rolling optics-specific coverage for the latest news and guidance on COVID-19.