Thousands attend busy weekend at Optrafair

Optrafair attracted 7,122 visitors last weekend to visit the exhibition and gain education points.

FMO chair Andy Yorke and chief executive Bryony Pawinska (pictured) cut the ribbon to open the show, held at the Birmingham NEC from April 1-3.

This year's show saw a buzzing bar celebrating the FMO's centenary, and new features including trend forecasting, window dressing, a boutique frames area, and a business theatre.

Exhibitors covered the full spectrum of optical manufacturing, distribution and supply, including equipment and instruments, lenses and contact lenses, glazing and finishing labs, and providers of business services for optical practices.

Pawinska said: ‘This was the first Optrafair show for which Mark Allen Exhibitions had a full year's planning cycle, having taken on the event management mid-way through planning for the 2016 show, and I am delighted at the vibrancy of the new show format.