In 2020, a landmark year for the optical industry, 100% Optical welcomed the highest number of visitors ever across the three-day event, which took place at the ExCeL London from 25 to 27 January.

9,570 attendees visited the UK’s biggest optical event, which showcased hundreds of exciting new product releases, including David Beckham’s newest eyewear launch in collaboration with Safilo, and the first ever Roald Dahl children’s eyewear collection with International Eyewear. There were exclusive show offers and competitions, catwalk shows and over 150 seminars and debates curated by show partners, The Association Of Optometrists.

Visitor feedback indicates that testing out new equipment and technology is one of the main reasons practice managers attend 100% Optical. The demonstrations of Topcon’s DRI OCT Triton and 3D OCT-1 Maestro2 and Cerium Visual Technologies Intuitive Colorimeter Curve were some of this area’s highlights.

Business Services brimmed with new ideas and discussions about shop-fitting design from companies like Sigma DAC and Retail Experience Design, software solutions from Ocuco, and additional revenue streams like eye masks and eye hygiene from The Eye Doctor. The Specsavers CET sessions were in high demand and booked up completely before the show opened.

Information about the connection of marketing leading audiology with independent optometry was available at The Hearing Care Partnerships stand with audiology products presented at the Tune Amp stand.

New features for the show proved popular, with the ‘Ones to watch’ designer eyewear collections from Nina Mûr, Unique Design Milano, Covrt Project, Caron. Eyewear, Alf, 27 Degrees, Monobi, Erkers 1879, Lowercase and Manu Torres getting a lot of attention. The ‘Studio’ area brands of Thierry Lasry, Blake Kuwahara and Bevel,, is where practice managers looking for a unique point of difference gravitated to.

Those in a nostalgic mood enjoyed the ‘Forgotten Eyewear Museum’ display of iconic frames from the last 75 years. Feedback from attendees of ‘The 2020 Future Series’ debates reported that they were looking forward to implementing the strategic insights gained into their practice.

A Saturday night party held at the Central Bar epitomised the special community spirit that gives 100% Optical its own unique feel when comparing to other international shows, with over 500 exhibitors and visitors socialising and dancing till 8pm. The first ever Love Eyewear Awards, sponsored by Shamir, which were introduced to champion and promote eyewear, took place at a sold out Zero Sette restaurant close to the show, with the list of award winners available here.