Though the start of 2024 already feels like a world away for many, for OT the fun of 100% Optical continues as the team works through interviews, product demonstrations, and lecture notes from the event.
The 2024 show, which marked 10 years of 100% Optical, was also the biggest yet, with 11,725 visitors – a 10% increase on figures in 2023.
Organisers shared that 96% of respondents to the post-show survey were either ‘very satisfied’, ‘fairly satisfied,’ or ‘somewhat satisfied,’ with 74% of visitors confirming they plan to return in 2025.
Most visitors were from independent optometry practices – those with less than five practices – the organisers found.
Survey data revealed the most common reasons for attending the show included: searching for eyewear, gaining continuing professional development points, networking opportunities, and discovering new innovations.
Selin Pera, senior marketing executive at Media 10, the organisation behind 100% Optical, commented: “We are incredibly proud to find that 96% of our visitors were satisfied with the exhibition this year. Being the UK’s only optical show bringing together the optical community and wider practice teams, it’s massively important to us to provide an event that really does bring the whole industry under one roof and represent every aspect.”
“100% Optical has now expanded to be the fastest growing optical event in Europe, bringing British and international brands to a global audience and so to start off a new decade of 100% Optical knowing that we’ve experienced our largest number of international visitors, travelling from over 50 countries, is a real coup,” she continued.
Pera added that, with positive feedback from the 2024 show, organisers plan to grow the event with larger stands and new additions. Plans are underway to enhance the newly co-located 100% Ophthalmology for 2025.
“No optical event has previously brought together the optical and ophthalmic community under one roof, to this scale and all for free, so for us 2024 will always be a significant milestone reached,” she concluded.
Reflecting on the show, OT gathered key stats, stand-out reports, and unmissable video interviews for readers to re-experience the highlights of one of the biggest events of the optical calendar.
100% Optical 2025 will take place from 1–3 March at ExCeL London. Find out more on the 100% Optical website.
OT’s highlight reel
Laurence Derbyshire, video production editor for OT, picked out five videos from 100% Optical 2024, from product demonstrations, to interviews, and insight into market trends.
1 100% Optical 2024 show review
Trying to capture the vibe of a show is always tricky, especially with so many disparate parts. Here we try to show a slice of the totality that encompasses 100% Optical.
2 Tech from Thomson Software Solutions
Eye tracking binocular vision tests, improved near vision tests, and virtual synoptophore: exploring new avenues of diagnostics are just cool. Here we see something coming from research towards practice.
3 Eyesi Slit Lamp from Haag-Streit
How many frogs do you need to kiss before a posterior vitreous detachment comes along? With this tech, students can get to see a lot more pathology with no patient needed.
4 Paediatric designs: the Star Fit collection
Lots of data drives the design of a new collection, engineered to ensure the best fit for kids’ frames. Learn the details here.
5 EssilorLuxottica’s edging suite
Edging may not be the most exciting part of optics, but efficiency is efficiency, and EssilorLuxottica takes aim at ensuring you will have frames out as soon as possible. OT received a demo.
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