07 October 2021
“We are raring to go,” Nathan Garnett, Media 10 event director for 100% Optical, said of the 2022 edition of the show, set to be held from 22–24 January at ExCeL London. With registration now open and the event just a few months away, OT caught up with the team to hear how preparations are developing.
“We are well ahead as we’ve had 18 months to prepare for this show,” Garnett said. Recent developments have included the launch of a new website for 100% Optical, aiming to provide a fresh look and easy-to-use experience ahead of the first optical show in the UK in two years.
“We are delighted with the support we have had from the sector and can now boast our biggest line up of exhibitors. We were hoping that 2021 would be that milestone year but 2022 will be extra special after the wait,” Garnett said, adding that exhibitors and partners “are all so eager for an exhibition to take place after the last 18 months of hardship.”
“We are working with exhibitors on their stand activities and I know the education programme is going to be the best yet,” Garnett said, adding that the programme and event activity will be released through autumn.
Comprehensive CPD
As the official event partner and education provider to the show, the AOP has been working on a schedule of education for the event.Dr Ian Beasley, AOP head of education and OT clinical editor, explained: “Planning for education at the event is well underway, with a comprehensive programme of high-profile speakers set to deliver content on a broad range of key topics.
“A choice of lectures and discussion-based sessions will be available across all three days, allowing practitioners to meet their professional development requirements under the GOC’s new CPD scheme, which launches in January 2022.”
In the meantime, OT has launched its CET Survival Pack to help practitioners meet outstanding education requirements before the end of the cycle in December. The pack has nine points on offer covering all competencies for every practitioner type.
New brands, awards and debates
As restrictions on international travel appear to have eased at the time of writing, Media 10 is positive that international colleagues will be able to join the show.
“This is important as we want to make sure we have some of the independent eyewear brands and new entries to the market, as well as all the major suppliers already there,” Garnett said. “We will never stop looking for those great products and services that make optical practices stand out.”
The event team has been working on some new features, as well as plans to bring back returning features for the show, with Garnett suggesting the Future Practice with four suites of education will be “bigger and better” for 2022.
The Love Eyewear Awards is set to be hosted on the Saturday of the show, while event organisers are also working to bring in “some big hitting speakers” to debate topics on the future of the sector, increasing collaboration with the NHS, and “how we can all grow stronger coming out of the pandemic.”
Registration for 100% Optical is now open, and Garnett recommended readers and AOP members book in early.
“Once you are booked you will get first notifications on new education as and when it comes,” he shared, also advising that once registered: “Please keep an eye on emails from us for more information and access to other benefits, like networking, exhibitor promotions or awards announcements.”
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