In Focus: Trading places as FMO and Optrafair join Media 10

An agreement between 100% Optical organiser Media 10 and the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians (FMO), the owner of Optrafair, has provided the British optical sector with what the parties described as ‘much-needed security and clarity’.

Following the cancellation of Optrafair 20/20, Media 10 and the FMO will now work together on 100% Optical as an annual event that will have the full backing of the FMO and aligns other bodies in the sector. The Optrafair brand will transition to Media 10 ownership from 2021, but the FMO and Media did not expand on how it would be used in future.

Nathan Garnett, event director for 100% Optical, said: ‘We are living through uncertain times and the optical industry needs solidarity. With the FMO’s full backing of 100% Optical, coupled with that of the Association of Optometrists (AOP) and Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO), I can see huge potential for us to take 100% Optical forwards, grow our attendance levels, increase the diversity of our content, and make it an even more unmissable date in the UK and international optical calendar.’