A rush of re-bookings were made for Optrafair Birmingham 2015 at last weekend’s London show as optical companies clamoured to secure their favourite stands in prime positions at the Midlands edition of the optical event.
A total of 32 companies signed contracts for 35 stands at the show while a dozen more signed letters of intent for specific stand options. A further 30 companies are discussing the size and positions of their place at the event. Among the companies first in line to sign contracts to be in Birmingham were big hitters from the frame, equipment, pharmaceutical, finance and software sectors.
Frame companies planning their presence at the NEC in April next year include International Eyewear, Continental Eyewear and Dunelm.
David Baker, managing director of International Eyewear, said: ‘We had a good Optrafair order input and were pleased to achieve our communication objectives overall. We are pleased to confirm our participation with Optrafair in Birmingham in 2015. We will again have many new product launches on our existing brands and some exciting new announcements.’
Equipment manufacturers were also quick to act with Grafton Optical, Haag Streit, Heidelberg, Keeler, Mainline, Optimed and Topcon adding their brands to the list. Andy Yorke, managing director of Topcon, added: ‘After a very successful London Optrafair we have already started planning Optrafair 2015, hence the reason why we have booked our place at next year’s show. Providing our product development chaps stay on cue, then we will be launching a number of truly revolutionary new products next April, Optrafair 2015 will be the perfect platform to do this.
‘I am also extremely excited by the proposed new show format and the plans that are already well in hand for next year’s event. The FMO and Optician have any number of fresh new initiatives that will add to the show’s attraction, and there is no doubt in my mind that next year’s Optrafair could be one of the greatest optical events in Europe in 2015, and we simply have to be there.’
