Crowds gather ahead of Mido show in Milan

Visiting practitioners and exhibitors should prepare for a busy time at the second major exhibition on the European optical calendar this year - Mido.

The Milan show, taking place this weekend at the Fiera Milano-Rho exhibition centre, follows hot on the heels of opti Munich in January.

Domestic and international exhibitors plan to have a strong presence at the show, including the launch of fashion brand Moncler's first sunglass collection. The Moncler Lunettes range will be launched in spring/summer and distributed in the UK by William Morris London.

Mido organisers expected more than 1,000 exhibitors from 40 countries at this year's event. Commenting on the economic mood, a spokesperson said: 'In general there is a great deal of interest around the fair and we are confident that despite the period in which we live there is feedback in line with previous years.'