Silmo attendance up 5% on previous year

Optical industry professionals from around the world descended on Paris last weekend for the 2011 Silmo World Optical Fair. Show organisers said 'the business climate at the show was as hot as our Indian summer'.

Organisers reported that attendance of nearly 35,000 people showed an increase of 5 per cent on last year's figures and that 56 per cent of those were from overseas, which also equated to 5 per cent growth.

The 1,000 exhibitors were eligible for the Silmo D'or awards which recognised technology and fashion in optics. French lens maker Essilor walked away with two awards - one for its Optifog lens in the Vision category and one for Mr Orange in the Materials and Equipment category. Fellow French firm CECIAA won the Low Vision and Optic Instruments category for its Clear Reader.