Media10/100% Optical
16 February 2023
Three days of education, product launches and networking with the optometry community approach as 100% Optical 2023 dawns.
Taking place this year between 25–27 February at London ExCeL, the optical trade show is set to see 15% more exhibitors join the show than in 2022.
Nathan Garnett, 100% Optical show director, told OT: “In terms of exhibitors, we have the strongest line-up in all areas of the industry we have ever had, with the addition of new exhibitors like CooperVision for contact lenses; Inspecs in eyewear bringing together Norville and Eschenbach to the show; Olleyes the US tech company; Visionix in the equipment; Pampaloni in the Studio sponsored by Nikon, with their bespoke luxury eyewear; and last but not least, New Medical Systems and Staar Surgical for the strong ophthalmology offering.”
Reflecting on the event, he said: “The show has a great buzz about it, with live catwalk shows three times a day, main stage panel discussions and, of course, the CPD sessions. You won’t be short of things to do and see.”
Major contact lens brands will be represented at the February show, with CooperVision joining the event, alongside Johnson & Johnson Vision, Bausch + Lomb, and Safilens, which are also all confirmed.
Visitors to 100% Optical will be able to gain insight into consumer trends in the eyewear industry as Euromonitor returns to the show for a second time.
Eyewear expert and senior consultant, Natasha Cazin, will identify three factors from Euromonitor International’s Top 10 Global Consumer Trends that are expected to have the most impact on the eyewear industry in the near future.
Cazin will illustrate the changes in consumer values and behaviour that are driving trends, the impact on businesses in eyewear and examples of company responses within the eyewear market and from other industries. Following a short introduction, a panel of experts will discuss the themes of the presentation.
“It’s not only been the number of entries that have blown us away this year, but the quality – and from some of the biggest names in the industry,” Garnett said.
Sponsored by Olleyes, the awards will see eyewear suppliers and retailers recognised across 12 categories. See the shortlist here.
“As we enter the second year of the CPD cycle, 100% Optical offers a unique opportunity to earn points and make sure you’re meeting the GOC’s requirements across all domains,” Beasley said, “There are a variety of peer reviews to engage in, and all points gained from the show are interactive.”
CPD sessions have approximately one third of capacity, which represents over 2500 seats, set aside to accept walk-in delegates on a first-come-first-served basis to ensure more visitors can benefit from the variety of education at the show.
“It is a good idea to make notes during the session, or take pictures of the session slides for the purpose of writing reflective statements after the session, but also as a record of attendance for the future,” he recommended.
Emails to confirm verification of attendance will be issued after 10 working days following the event, with Beasley advising visitors to check spam or junk folders.
Jai Kudo Lenses: The lens supplier will be showcasing its products and services, including its Glazed Package solution, offered in conjunction with sister-company Continental Eyewear, to provide the frame, lenses and glazing “all under one roof,” explained Shaun Bace, key accounts, business development manager for Jai Kudo Lenses.
The supplier’s Honeycomb lenses will also be a focus at the show, exploring how the coating can distribute light more evenly across the lens to improve vision and reduce eye fatigue.
“There will be some exclusive insights and unveilings into projects that we have been working on in the last 12 months, such as our brand-new RX tinted gaming lens, which we are extremely excited about,” Bace said.
The stand will also host the sculpture, ‘Heavy-Light’ created as a collaboration between Millmead Optical Group and designer Yair Neuman, and Jai Kudo Lenses will again be working with Topcon Healthcare at 100% Optical with exclusive gift vouchers for customers.
Caledonian Optical: The manufacturing arm of Duncan and Todd Group will be highlighting its new £1.5 million laboratory at the show. When open in early 2023, the new facility is expected to significantly increase production capacity.
Mark Robertson, head of manufacturing at Caledonian Optical, explained that the new lab in Dyce, Aberdeen, is more than double the company’s previous capacity, “allowing us to increase our volume of lenses being manufactured.”
The new facility also offers the opportunity for more sustainable practices. Robertson shared: “We have invested in new machinery which uses recycled water for processing. This is a fantastic step forward for the business and one that we know is important to our customers.”
“We are looking forward to seeing everyone at 100% Optical and showcasing the new lab,” Robertson added.
The Caledonian Optical team will be joined on its stand by its lens design partner, IOT, to discuss the technology of the products.
Nikon Lenswear UK: The company has plans to unveil its latest innovations in ophthalmic lens technology at 100% Optical 2023.
Jill McLellan, managing director of Nikon Lenswear UK, shared: “We’ll be sharing our cutting-edge products, as well as the tools and value we provide to independent practices above and beyond lenses.”
McLellan added: “We are also extremely excited to be hosting the bar within the Independent Studio, where we will be sharing some of the details of how independents can complete the luxury experience in their practice.”
The company is known for the networking opportunities it provides, she suggested, “so we are looking forward to bringing that excitement to a wider audience during the show.”
“We look forward to welcoming our existing partners, customers and those new to Nikon entirely,” she added.
Taking place this year between 25–27 February at London ExCeL, the optical trade show is set to see 15% more exhibitors join the show than in 2022.
Nathan Garnett, 100% Optical show director, told OT: “In terms of exhibitors, we have the strongest line-up in all areas of the industry we have ever had, with the addition of new exhibitors like CooperVision for contact lenses; Inspecs in eyewear bringing together Norville and Eschenbach to the show; Olleyes the US tech company; Visionix in the equipment; Pampaloni in the Studio sponsored by Nikon, with their bespoke luxury eyewear; and last but not least, New Medical Systems and Staar Surgical for the strong ophthalmology offering.”
Reflecting on the event, he said: “The show has a great buzz about it, with live catwalk shows three times a day, main stage panel discussions and, of course, the CPD sessions. You won’t be short of things to do and see.”
Not to be missed
Garnett noted that: “100% Optical will feature a bigger focus on contact lenses than ever before.”Major contact lens brands will be represented at the February show, with CooperVision joining the event, alongside Johnson & Johnson Vision, Bausch + Lomb, and Safilens, which are also all confirmed.
Visitors to 100% Optical will be able to gain insight into consumer trends in the eyewear industry as Euromonitor returns to the show for a second time.
Eyewear expert and senior consultant, Natasha Cazin, will identify three factors from Euromonitor International’s Top 10 Global Consumer Trends that are expected to have the most impact on the eyewear industry in the near future.
Cazin will illustrate the changes in consumer values and behaviour that are driving trends, the impact on businesses in eyewear and examples of company responses within the eyewear market and from other industries. Following a short introduction, a panel of experts will discuss the themes of the presentation.
Love Eyewear Awards
The Love Eyewear Awards returns in 2023 with an official awards ceremony to be held on 25 February.“It’s not only been the number of entries that have blown us away this year, but the quality – and from some of the biggest names in the industry,” Garnett said.
Sponsored by Olleyes, the awards will see eyewear suppliers and retailers recognised across 12 categories. See the shortlist here.
Meeting domains
Dr Ian Beasley, AOP head of education and OT clinical editor, explained that there will be around 8000 seats available in over 140 continuing professional development (CPD) sessions across the three-day event.“As we enter the second year of the CPD cycle, 100% Optical offers a unique opportunity to earn points and make sure you’re meeting the GOC’s requirements across all domains,” Beasley said, “There are a variety of peer reviews to engage in, and all points gained from the show are interactive.”
CPD sessions have approximately one third of capacity, which represents over 2500 seats, set aside to accept walk-in delegates on a first-come-first-served basis to ensure more visitors can benefit from the variety of education at the show.
“It is a good idea to make notes during the session, or take pictures of the session slides for the purpose of writing reflective statements after the session, but also as a record of attendance for the future,” he recommended.
Emails to confirm verification of attendance will be issued after 10 working days following the event, with Beasley advising visitors to check spam or junk folders.
“I’m looking for… the latest lens designs”
OT heard what visitors can expect from lens manufacturers.
The supplier’s Honeycomb lenses will also be a focus at the show, exploring how the coating can distribute light more evenly across the lens to improve vision and reduce eye fatigue.
“There will be some exclusive insights and unveilings into projects that we have been working on in the last 12 months, such as our brand-new RX tinted gaming lens, which we are extremely excited about,” Bace said.
The stand will also host the sculpture, ‘Heavy-Light’ created as a collaboration between Millmead Optical Group and designer Yair Neuman, and Jai Kudo Lenses will again be working with Topcon Healthcare at 100% Optical with exclusive gift vouchers for customers.
Mark Robertson, head of manufacturing at Caledonian Optical, explained that the new lab in Dyce, Aberdeen, is more than double the company’s previous capacity, “allowing us to increase our volume of lenses being manufactured.”
The new facility also offers the opportunity for more sustainable practices. Robertson shared: “We have invested in new machinery which uses recycled water for processing. This is a fantastic step forward for the business and one that we know is important to our customers.”
“We are looking forward to seeing everyone at 100% Optical and showcasing the new lab,” Robertson added.
The Caledonian Optical team will be joined on its stand by its lens design partner, IOT, to discuss the technology of the products.
Jill McLellan, managing director of Nikon Lenswear UK, shared: “We’ll be sharing our cutting-edge products, as well as the tools and value we provide to independent practices above and beyond lenses.”
McLellan added: “We are also extremely excited to be hosting the bar within the Independent Studio, where we will be sharing some of the details of how independents can complete the luxury experience in their practice.”
The company is known for the networking opportunities it provides, she suggested, “so we are looking forward to bringing that excitement to a wider audience during the show.”
“We look forward to welcoming our existing partners, customers and those new to Nikon entirely,” she added.
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