Three days of international networking in an inspiring atmosphere, sales successes right at the start of the year, trends conveyed in new formats and promotion of innovation for optics & design – that was opti 2023 at the Munich trade fair centre.
opti inspired as an industry highlight right at the start of the year and put the ophthalmic optics family in the mood for successful cooperation and order growth in 2023. With an increase in visitors of 19.2% compared to the previous year, opti seems to be in an upbeat spirit together with the entire optics & design industry.
This year, around 15,500 visitors from 67 countries gathered in Munich to take advantage of the diverse range of innovative formats for knowledge, sales, and exchange in a positive atmosphere. A total of 307 exhibitors from 28 countries exhibited at opti 2023.
“opti is back and on course for success! Three inspiring trade show days with visitors and exhibitors from all over the world have come to an end. I would like to explicitly thank everyone who believed in opti with us and made the success possible! Seeing the industry united again in such a great atmosphere was my highlight,” says Klaus Plaschka, Managing Director of GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH.
Summary of the trade fair and visitor interest
The new hall constellation created a special atmosphere. opti was a successful relaunch of an essential trade show for the optical industry in Munich. The compact number of halls were well attended, contributing to a pleasant trade show feeling.
Innovative programme features
Impulse lectures followed by discussions in the SUSTAINABILITY HUB and MYOPIA HUB offered interested visitors the opportunity to learn about trends, research methods and technologies as well as to discuss individual questions and challenges within a group. Exhibitor tours, organized by epitop GmbH and other exhibitors, addressed various key topics in ophthalmic optics,.
The social media sessions were also popular, with Sarah Schleicher, German optician and eyewear blogger (19,000 Instagram followers) and French optician Anne-Sophie Lapetite (100,000 Instagram fans) from AnSoStyle answering questions.
Promoting innovation and new talent
Another highlight was the presentation of the second opti BOX AWARD. The winner is LARS Brillen – Swiss Made, a start-up that has scored with its 3D printed frames and pays attention to timelessness and sustainability. They were chosen by an international jury of experts, who honour emerging designers for their unique products with the award, evaluating the new criteria of “innovation”, “design”, “functionality” and “sustainability”.
opti 2024 – the industry is looking forward
According to survey results, 83% of visitors are already looking forward to the next opti. opti 2024 will take place in Munich from January 12 to 14, 2024.
Voices from the industry on opti 2023
“Viva opti! The curiosity of many visitors and the returned longing for networking have prevailed. We are all returning home now in great spirits with some interesting novelties, trends, lectures, encounters, and a few pleasing orders in our luggage. We are looking forward to an intensive dialogue with each other in the upcoming months; we all feel a strong commitment to opti.” – Mirjam Rösch, Chair Consumer Optics, SPECTARIS.
“opti 2023 showed that opticians and optometrists want this trade show in Munich at exactly that time of the year. The order volume for us was very good and thus the trade fair has proven to be an optimal start to the year. The decisive factor for us in this positive assessment is the crowd of opticians, making the journey to Munich in large numbers.” – Werner Paletschek, Managing Director of OWP Brillen GmbH.
“opti has been very positive for Sea2see. German opticians understand the sustainable path Sea2see started six years ago and thanks to them we are generating a change in this industry. More than 1,000 of them already promote our value in Germany. I am pleased to be a reference sustainable brand today in the market and looking forward to inspiring more. Congrats on the great initiative of creating a sustainable hub, that’s how positive impact is generated.” – François van den Abeele, Founder & CEO Sea2see Eyewear.
