Confusion still reigns in the world of UK optical events following the announcement of a spring 2014 London exhibition run by the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians (FMO) just hours after the launch of new London optical show 100% Optical, which is scheduled for February next year.
The FMO's announcement came after a board meeting at which it was unanimously agreed that a London show should be staged next year. The FMO said it was in discussion with a number of potential partners but remained guarded on further details.
Media 10, the organisation behind 100% Optical, claimed it was in discussions with the FMO. 'We can't comment on the announcement by the FMO to launch an event in 2014 as there is no information about dates or venues at this stage. However, we are in discussion with the FMO about working together,' said event manager Nathan Garnett.
Media 10 CEO Lee Newton added: 'The response for our new event in London was overwhelming and we've booked 20 stands in 24 hours, including William Morris, Zuma, TD Tom Davies, and Jono Hennessy to name a few.'
Dawn Kime, event director of failed London exhibition The Eye Show (TES), backed the FMO's event next year after a tempestuous relationship with the organisation.
In a letter to Optician detailing the reasons for The Eye Show's collapse, Kime encouraged Optician to support the FMO in its plans and blamed others for the collapse of TES, which was 'set to be brilliant'.
Richard Morey, director of Media 10, said: 'We saw the statement that came through from Dawn Kime and we have sent it off to our lawyers.'