Comment: Excitement builds ahead of Optrafair

Frenetic activity has become a feature of the optical market in the early part of the year, and despite the dismally wet weather the outlook for optics looks bright. The first major exhibition of the year, Munich, has already taken place with Mido in Milan to follow shortly. As March progresses, Optometry Tomorrow travels to York, Optix has its users group in the Midlands just a stone’s throw from the ABDO’s conference.

Of course The Big One everyone is waiting for is the weekend of April 11-13 when the combined forces of the Optician Awards and Optrafair descend on London. Both events are heavily subscribed and excitement at new highs. Last Friday saw the completion of the Optician Awards judging which once again demonstrated the strength in depth of the optical business. Optician would like to thank everyone who made the effort to enter and congratulates all who made it to the shortlists. The judging has become an event in itself with a strong contingent of optical folk eager to network and take the temperature of the market. One comment, by the National Eyecare Group’s Phil Mullins, summed it up: ‘It’s great to see the quality of opticians out there’.