Visitors flock to new optical show in Zurich

More than 2,500 people visited what was claimed to be SwitzerlandÕs first truly international optometry show last week.
The two-day Opti Zurich, held from September 9-10, played host to 170 exhibitors at the cityÕs Trade Fair Centre, including Bausch & Lomb, Allergan and Ciba Vision.
The event was attended by 2,533 visitors from 11 countries other than Switzerland. The majority came from Germany, Austria, Italy and France.
OK Messen, organisers of the new show, were jubilant with Opti ZurichÕs statistics and pointed out the attendance was triple that of the last major optics trade fair to be held in Switzerland, ÔSwissoptic 99Õ in Berne.
Managing director of OK Messen, Arno Jager, said: ÔWith Opti Zurich we have succeeded in establishing for the first time an international optics and eyewear exhibition in Switzerland which can hold its own in the European environment.Õ
He claimed the international ÔfeelÕ of the event, together with its September timing and venue had worked well.
The exhibition, which occupied 8,000 square metres, has been scheduled to run again next year from September 8-9. OK Messen is the group behind Opti Munich, the January optical event which started in 1997.