This year’s opti inspired opticians as an industry highlight at the start of the year. 21,500 visitors appreciated the common hub of all protagonists from the ophthalmic world. The exhibitors’ sales successes and the communication of new trends, innovations and inspiration in new formats through the trade show’s supporting programme certainly contributed their fair share to this great community spirit.
The enthusiastic atmosphere that could be physically felt in the halls on all three days of the trade show was the result of close cooperation between the opti team, exhibitors and industry representatives throughout last year, as evidenced by the numerous statements from trade show participants. And of course the numbers reflected the success as well, above all the 21,500 visitors from the industry, a good 60% of whom are decision-makers. Visitors came from 70 countries, attracted by the diverse range of at opti, but also to benefit in this positive atmosphere from the numerous innovative formats for knowledge, sales and dialogue. Visitors rated opti particularly highly: 93.4% of all visitors rated the atmosphere at opti 2024 as good to very good, 92.6% rated opti 2024 as good to very good overall and 82.4% are planning to place orders or commission assignments after the trade show.
The almost 390 exhibitors from 28 countries represented the entire optical supply chain: from machinery and shopfitting to contact lenses and spectacle lenses, from frame manufacturers and the industry’s top brands to young independent designers. The exhibitors’ figures are almost unbeatable: 94.5% of all exhibitors rated the visitor quality at their stand as good to very good in terms of interest in the products, 91% of them rated opti 2024 as good to very good overall.
“opti continues on its successful course! The feedback from visitors and exhibitors in many conversations confirmed that our trade show concept and the date in January are absolutely right. Close co-operation and the development of a joint concept with all trade show stakeholders over the course of the last year were crucial to the event’s success. It’s great to see how the opti community loves its trade show and believes in it – the sense of community is what made this success possible!”
“I’m thrilled! The atmosphere was incredible, the joy of the industry was palpable. The visitors wanted to experience their trade show again and they were able to do just that. opti serves as a compass for the industry in Germany, Austria and Switzerland when designing its product range and provides orientation for the business year as a whole. During this January weekend, opti reaped the success it has sown over the past twelve months through dialogue with the industry, round tables, listening and joint development.”
Very positive assessment by all trade show participants (full quotes below)
“GHM’s great commitment and many strategic considerations over the past twelve months have taken effect at all levels and have paid off completely. The halls were full, the many opti fans resolutely defied the rail strike and in some cases simply switched to other means of transport. There were lots of places to meet, the wide aisles were wonderful and those interested in further training were able to take advantage of a broad range of further training programmes in the various themed hubs. And don’t forget the amazing atmosphere, which was really infectious everywhere and gave us all a lot of courage.”
“opti 2024 impressed with a high frequency and a very good atmosphere among the visitors. At the opti CAFÉ powered by ZVA, we had some great discussions in which we noticed a growing interest in the profession’s development and the topic of vocational training and further education. Our participation in the hub discussions also provided new insights into the wishes of opticians and optometrists.”
Exhibitors from all sectors were very positive about opti 2024 overall:
“opti has once again developed into an absolute gem. An industry gathering par excellence. We’ll be back here in 2025!”
“We are a fan of opti and would like to exhibit here again in 2025. A big thank you to the trade show management for responding to us as exhibitors to such an extent and for taking many of our wishes and constructive criticism into account. It was so nice that we, as exhibitors, were able to have our say and be heard – the keyword here being the round table in Frankfurt. We had great visits, wonderful conversations, were able to network excellently and above all – the main reason we’re here – we sold very well.”
“After a year’s break, we are pleasantly surprised by this year’s opti. The past few days have not only met our expectations, but even exceeded them. The positive atmosphere at the trade show lays the foundation for further intensive discussions this coming year.”
Exhibitor feedback was also very positive in the field of ophthalmic lenses:
“We are very satisfied with opti, which was extremely successful for us. We consider personal contact with our customers very important and their many smiling faces showed us that both sides enjoyed meeting on site. For Rodenstock itself, the trade show was very successful – both on the sales side and in terms of the atmosphere. We look forward to next time”.
The atmosphere among contact lens manufacturers, who were well represented at opti, was excellent!
“opti is back! We are very satisfied, had many visitors, many good discussions – especially on the subject of myopia, which we were able to bring further into the market. We are delighted that we have been able to further position ourselves here as a leading contact lens manufacturer.”
The date is right
One topic that was repeatedly mentioned was the convenient timing of the trade show in January for the industry:
“One of the best things about opti is this date in January. Since opti started, so for 25 years, this trade show has been the kick-off for the industry’s optical year – whether frames, lenses, contact lenses or optometry.”
Exciting supporting programme
The carefully curated events and presentations on industry-relevant topics, which were developed in the spirit of #WEAREopti together with numerous partners from industry and ophthalmic optics, as well as the award ceremonies, allowed trade show visitors to discover trends and technologies, while panel discussions with experts provided answers and solutions for the industry.
“The good numbers of visitors – whether at the opti SUSTAINABILITY HUB, the opti MYOPIA HUB or the new opti TREND HUB at the opti INNOVATION AREA, which was implemented for the first time – show us that we are on the right track with the concept of our supporting programme and that the journey will continue in this direction next year”.Â
The opti HUBS also received top marks in the visitor survey: a good 85% regarded the topics of the opti TREND HUB as relevant to very relevant for them, and just as many respondents positively rated the opti MYOPIA HUB as interesting to very interesting.
The presentation of the opti SUSTAINABILITY AWARD, which went to Andreas Schmidt from Augenblick Brillen Kontaktlinsen GmbH, was extremely popular. The company has set itself the goal of keeping its ecological footprint as small as possible while taking the social aspect into account both locally and in the Augenblick team, including switching to LEDs and motion detectors and replacing a direct water connection by a closed system.
Another highlight of the opti supporting programme was the presentation of the third opti BOX AWARD to the Danish label SKANS – EYEWEAR WITH IMPACT. Its founder, Johanna Skans, comes from Sweden and is a second-generation optician. Sustainability is her lifeblood: she studied Business Sustainability Management at Cambridge and gained international practical experience in Australia. Sustainability is also the basis of her business model. The opti BOX AWARD recognises young designers for innovation, design, functionality and sustainability. SKANS follows last year’s winner LARS Brillen.
 said: „At Skans, every decision we make is via the sustainable lens. We always ask ourselves, can this be done even more sustainably? So, being at opti as an exhibitor is a fantastic experience. It has been of great value to show my frames to the German market, the Central European Market in general as a Nordic brand. I got new clients, my presence here spreads my sustainability message – which is good. I am overwhelmed still about winning the opti BOX AWARD, I am super honoured and flattered and still running on adrenaline. It means a lot to me, because it shows that people and the industry itself are believing in my sustainability concept. I hope it will inspire more people into joining the sustainability journey.“
Anticipation is high for the next opti: opti 2025 is to be held at the Fairground Munich from 31 January to 2 February.
About Opti
opti is the international trade show for optics & design which takes place annually as the industry kick-off in January in Munich. It offers trade visitors the complete spectrum of ophthalmic products, from spectacle frames and lenses, contact lenses, refraction, diagnosis and low vision to shopfitting and technical equipment. opti is the order platform and the location for product premières by international market leaders and start-ups alike. The event was first held in 1998, and since 2008 has been organised by GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH.
Every year at opti, experts and creatives in the optics industry display their newest products. As an international trade show for optics and design, opti represents the whole visual-optical spectrum, from frames to lenses, contact lenses, low vision, shop fittings, IT, marketing and sales, i7nstruments, tools, spectacle elements, accessories as well as technical equipment and professional education.
What can you expect at opti 2024? The product areas range from lenses and frames to diagnostics. As the first order fair of the year, all trends and innovations from the field of ophthalmic optics will be presented as well as product premieres from international market leaders and start-ups alike.
Read more about this show on TEF Magazine or register for free at their website.
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