Middle East’s largest optical trade show hosts more than 250 exhibitors
His Excellency Abdul Rahman Saif Al Ghurair, Chairman of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry, officially opened Vision-X 2014, the Middle East’s largest optical trade show, today.
Accompanied by Abdulrahman Obaid, Senior Vice President, Protocol & Facilities Management at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), Al Ghurair toured the venue’s Sheikh Saeed Halls where more than 250 exhibitors from 26 countries are showcasing the latest optical eyewear and eye care industry technologies, styles and findings across a significantly-expanded exhibition area.
Taking place until 27 November, the three-day exhibition brings together hundreds of respected optometry professionals for a series of accredited educational seminars, luxury eyewear brand showcases and demonstrations of the latest eye-care technology to hit the region.
“This exhibition is the most anticipated event in the regional optical industry; it is a comprehensive platform for optometry professionals and optical business leaders visitors to network, attend educational session and experience the latest technologies in the eyewear and eye care industries,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Exhibitions & Events Management, DWTC, the show organiser.
To mark the event’s crystal anniversary, Vision-X 2014 boasts a series of new features such as fashion shows and a specialist showcase area for new technologies including innovative 3D screens for displaying brands in advertising and retail environments. Elsewhere, the Future in Focus feature, another show first, allows healthcare professionals to meet international business leaders and global experts in one-to-one sessions where they can discuss various management practice issues, experience the revolutionary Google Glass product and learn how to leverage social media to drive revenue generation across their businesses.
For the first time in the Middle East, GfK, the show’s Retail Intelligence Partner, is utilising Vision-X to reveal new insights into the regional optical industry and share key data obtained from the GfK Optician Census study. The tailored analysis will enable Vision-X participants to assess the dynamics of the regional landscape in which they operate.
As the unified platform for the optical sector’s fashion and medical spheres, Vision-X 2014 features two distinct zones: Optistyle, a dedicated arena for retail opticians and optometrists, and Opticare, a platform covering the entire spectrum of technical eye care products and services, where eye care providers, medical practitioners and technology suppliers will discuss and display the latest services, equipment and machinery on the show floor.
For the first time in its history, Vision-X is also offering regional opticians and optometrists fully-accredited education sessions to update their professional skills. Providing the essential professional development required by the optical healthcare industry, the Continuing Medical Education (CME) accredited programme is one of the most anticipated features of this year’s Opticare Conference, sponsored by Essilor, as it offers 9.75 accreditation points.
Dr Yazan Gammoh, Managing Director of the optical and ophthalmic division at Arab East Medical and a speaker at the Opticare conference, said: “By combining the industry’s trifecta of style, education and health, this year’s Vision-X is shaping up to be the most important industry show in the MENA region.”
The first day also saw the debut of the Vision-X VP Awards. Introduced as a new concept, the awards received an overwhelming response in terms of participation from some of the leading brands in the optical industry across the globe.
The popular Hosted Buyer Programme also returns, providing top-level buyers with a cache of opportunities to meet leading international and regional manufacturers, suppliers and distributors showcasing their latest trends in fashion eyewear and medical eye care products, as well as attend Business Breakfast and networking meetings with leading speakers at the Future in Focus zone.
Vision-X 2014 is supported by Headline Sponsor Vision & Fashion; Nikon & Kefan; Egma, GKB Hi-Tech and Medicals International. Held in DWTC’s Sheikh Saeed Halls from November 25-27, Vision-X Dubai is strictly a trade- only event, open daily from 10am to 6pm on November 25 and 26 and 10am to 5pm on November 27. More information is available at the event’s new website: www.vision-x.ae.
