Imaginative and prescient Expo East 2024 – The Final Hurrah

Hundreds of our colleagues gathered final weekend on the Jacob Javits Conference Middle in Midtown Manhattan one final time to study, store, community, and have enjoyable one final time in New York Metropolis for Imaginative and prescient Expo East 2024. After nearly 40 years, this was the final hurrah in New York Metropolis for the biggest optical conference in the US.

Imaginative and prescient Expo East has all the time been an optical wonderland and showcase of and to the North American optical market. It has and continues to be the place to go to buy all the things optical in the US and Canada. At one time it appeared to take up each little bit of exhibition house within the 660,000 sq. toes of exhibition house on the 2 principal ranges of the Jacob Javits Middle.

Whereas post-COVID the present had condensed to take up all the 410,000 main-level, Imaginative and prescient Expo continues to be the optical commerce honest the world desires to showcase their merchandise to the 1000’s of optical professionals who come to New York each March. Add to the massive exhibition ground are near 100,000 sq. toes of classroom house that homes over 150 programs for optometrists and opticians.

At instances prior to now, Imaginative and prescient Expo was so full of occasions one would ponder whether folks got here to buy and study, or simply to play video video games, acquire optical swag, and occasion. Whereas one may definitely do all of it, there have been all the time lengthy traces of individuals at sure stands who appeared to have loads of time on their arms to do nothing greater than see if they might win a $1 branded water bottle or choose up one other vinyl tote bag or low cost t-shirt so as to add to their assortment.

There has all the time been loads to see and do at Imaginative and prescient Expo East. After hours there have been all the time events massive and small. In fact, having the occasion in New York Metropolis meant there was no scarcity of nice meals. You title the tradition and you might be certain to search out culinary masters of it within the Large Apple.

I’ve had each the pleasure and honor of touring to many optical commerce exhibits and gala’s all over the world, each massive and small. I’ve made no secret of my wide-eyed admiration of a number of of the European optical commerce occasions that eclipse Imaginative and prescient Expo in dimension, scale, and visible splendor. It continues to stay my mission to get as many North American ECPs to take the effort and time to make the journey to see one in every of these marvelous commerce present occasions and be as blown away as I used to be the primary time I visited these exhibits within the sheer quantity that’s the world-wide optical market. I’m nonetheless captivated by the splendor of those European exhibits yr after yr.  That being mentioned, I nonetheless root for the house staff and see enhancements in Imaginative and prescient Expo every year.

This yr, The Imaginative and prescient Council and RX made Imaginative and prescient Expo East, the perfect model of the present I’ve skilled. From the large cubicles of the large optical gamers to the small startups who participated, Imaginative and prescient Expo East 2024 was a full present with loads to see and do. Day one had lengthy traces of individuals attempting to get their badges as all of them needed to present ID to get them first. As if any of us are tall sufficient to cross as Invoice Gerber. Nearly each different present I attend means that you can print your badge at residence, saving a ton of effort and time. Half of the exhibits help you scan your badge ID out of your telephone, serving to to avoid wasting the planet on the identical time. One thing for RX and The Imaginative and prescient Council to think about for subsequent yr.

I used to be notably impressed with the revamped Atelier part of Imaginative and prescient Expo East. The sales space areas, whereas spartan in look, had been simply large enough for members to show their unbiased manufacturers for all to see and admire. Sure, the Atelier lacks the wonder and congruity of MIDO’s Lab Academy, however for a Imaginative and prescient Expo, this yr’s Atelier made a believer that they’re headed in the suitable route. In the course of the Atelier was a pleasant relaxation space with massive sectional seating the place one may maintain conferences, accented with a DJ taking part in trendy music that was saved to an inexpensive quantity. You didn’t must attempt to shout over the music to talk with anybody. One thing another exhibits and some different stands in different exhibits ought to emulate. Right here is one in every of my video walkthroughs exhibiting the Atelier and surrounding space.

The primary stage at Imaginative and prescient Expo East featured optical vogue exhibits for the primary time, paying homage to the great Catwalk vogue exhibits that 100% Optical does such an incredible job in London with. There have been nonetheless loads of different shows, talks, and even performances as nicely.

This yr’s Imaginative and prescient Expo East additionally featured a particular space the place the Italian Commerce Fee introduced in over a dozen smaller Italian manufacturers in a fantastically crafted massive house with a cappuccino bar within the heart. Whereas the showcases had been in all probability too tall by a foot or so, there was loads to see in every house. Subsequent door was a set of French manufacturers additionally showcasing their wares collectively, anchored by perennial exhibitor, Morel.

As well as, there was actual and comfy carpeting at Imaginative and prescient Expo East this yr. In years previous, the carpet laid down appeared extra to guard the concrete from us than us from the hardness of the ground under. This yr although, the aisleways had been a pleasure to wander on the brand new black carpets.

The one “cringe” second I had at Imaginative and prescient Expo this yr was seeing the signal “Look East” at the back of the corridor. That is the title of the realm the place most of the smaller Asian distributors had been grouped collectively. I spoke to a couple buddies who additionally discovered the title to be a bit out of step with at this time’s sensibilities. Nonetheless, maybe Imaginative and prescient Expo is prepping us for the very un-woke environment that we’ll expertise in Florida subsequent yr.

Attendance at Imaginative and prescient Expo appeared slightly off this yr. Friday was very busy, however Saturday appeared slightly slower than regular. Sunday, all the time the slowest day, appeared even slower than regular. Which may have been exacerbated by the truth that many had been hung over by St Patrick’s Day consuming the evening earlier than, or the gorgeous climate of the weekend. I heard from a number of ECPs who mentioned they had been holding off on attending this yr, in favor of going to Orlando subsequent yr. On the identical time, I heard from different ECPs who proclaimed they’d no intention of following the present south subsequent yr. How issues truly form up for 2025 stays to be seen. I for one plan on attending. Even with a seemingly truncated attendance, I heard of constructive gross sales from most of the distributors I chatted with and on the finish of an costly weekend at a commerce present, that’s what really issues.

I’ve all the time considered making a sweatshirt that as an alternative of claiming the long-lasting “I LOVE NY” ought to learn “I Like NY As A Buddy, however assume we should always see different cities”…and so we will, as Imaginative and prescient Expo East strikes to Orlando, Florida beginning subsequent yr.  Be part of The Optical Journal at Imaginative and prescient Expo East 2025, operating February 19^th by means of the 22^nd 2025.