Some stand representatives reported that they had barely time to eat lunch and had received substantial orders, while others were disappointed by the attendance and had expected more. Initial figures showed that 11,555 people attended, down 3.4 per cent on the 1999 total. This figure comprised 9,625 from the profession and visitors, down 7.8 per cent, and 1,929 from exhibitors and trade, up 26.9 per cent. Attendance figures for each day and visitor demographics were unavailable as optician went to press. Hanna Nussbaum, director of Orange Eyewear, said the show was excellent and that they were 'snowed under the whole time', but Peter Wood, managing director for Caseco, which had 102sq m at the show, said he was disappointed by the number of visitors and felt that pre-show publicity had been poor. A spokesman for show organisers Optra Exhibitions UK said there was a lot of positive feedback from visitors, exhibitors and for the new International City area. 'A lot of people had a very good show,' he said. The mixed message was reported by many exhibitors present during the three days of the show. While many were disappointed by what seemed to be a low turnout, there was also a common view that the show visitors were prepared to spend money. Lens firm Jai Kudo, showing for the first time, for example, took 3,500 orders for its new designer frame line. Senior sales manager Jamie Holoran said: 'I didn't anticipate the huge buzz that surrounded our stand. We all thought the event was excellently organised and laid out.' optician spoke to many other visitors and found that the overall mood was very positive. The next Optrafair will be held in 2003, with Optrafashion taking place at the Business Design Centre, Islington, from April 13-15 2002.