Mido vies for visitors in crowded show market

Italian optical exhibition Mido has taken steps to compete with a congested trade fair schedule and bolster local interest during tough economic times.

Mido 2013, which took place at Fieramilano exhibition centre near Milan, attracted 43,000 visitors in total - 3 per cent more than last year. More than 1,000 exhibitors set up stands across four pavilions.

Last weekend's event followed hot on the heels of opti Munich in January, while Vision Expo East and Optrafair take place within the next six weeks.

A global exhibition in London has also been planned for February 2014 (News 15.02.13), but Dunelm Optical director Peter Beaumont issued caution at Mido about already 'massive' costs and expenses to exhibitors at this time of year. 'Optrafair is always really good for us but I don't personally think British optics can take more than one biennial show. We've tried it in the past and it didn't work.'