Silmo reacts to Mido

The date change for Mido 2009 from May to March as well as the creation of the Mido Rome Business Forum in September has disrupted the international optical exhibition calendar according to a Silmo spokesperson.

'Mido has effectively stopped dialogue with the other optical events,' said Isabel Beuzen, communication manager for Silmo. 'There was an equilibrium that was respected until this year,' she said, adding that the changes would have repercussions for optical conferences in Shanghai, Moscow and New York as well as Silmo, which will be held in Paris from October 30 to November 2.

Mark Karagus, sales manager for Reed Exhibitions (which hosts New York's Vision Expo East) said he was worried 'visitor numbers could be an issue' as a result of Mido's March move. However, he dismissed any impact on exhibitors.