This spring thousands of optical professionals will flock to the NEC near Birmingham to see hundreds of optical companies showing off their products and services. The atmosphere will be upbeat, old friends will meet up and competing companies will set aside their proprietary interests to debate issues of the day.
Optrafair has long-been established as the showcase for optics and the industry's biennial opportunity to place its wares on show for the pleasure of the optical profession and retail optical business. This year's event (April 3-5) has seen the show coincide with one of the worst downturns in living memory but that hasn't stopped 36 brand new exhibitors from signing up or existing exhibitors expanding their presence. It is sad therefore to see some in the industry not attending. What reason is persuasive enough to prevent a company taking the opportunity of meeting up with hundreds of potential new customers?
It wasn't so long ago that voices within optics were calling for the show to become an annual event. Times are tough but long-term goals require consistency. If there is one how-to-beat-the-credit-crunch message that has come screaming through it's keep your nerve, stay active to thrive and survive. Those companies not attending Optrafair may well have just handed an advantage to their competitors. Make sure you plan your visit to the show to visit those companies and not hand the same advantage to your rivals.