Show bookings ahead

Optrafair organisers have reported that exhibitors appear to be securing their 2007 show presence early.

A quarter of the exhibition is already booked, with 65 stands confirmed, and those companies who have committed to date have booked an additional 315sq metres compared to 2005's Optrafair event.

'Many in the industry have been concerned about tough market conditions,' said Malcolm Polley, chairman of the show owners, the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians, 'but the reality is that there is a real commitment to be at the show, because exhibitors know that it works and brings in sales.'

One returnee - Seiko Optical UK - said that it had a large portfolio of products to exhibit at the 2007 show.

Sheila Walker, product manager, said: 'Our first Optrafair as Seiko Optical UK worked very well last year and as we have just started to distribute Seiko frames we need to promote them and Optrafair is the place to do this.'