Along with ABDO board members, staff and other colleagues, I have just spent the past three days (February 4-6) at 100% Optical, which we all enjoyed enormously and met with many folks from across the optical sector. However, it has got me thinking that when it comes to trade shows/exhibitions/conferences – whatever we call them, of which there are now many and various – you do not need me to remind you that we have gone from one major exhibition every two years, to two every year in quick succession and it is evident these shows need to change and evolve, or risk becoming relics.
There is no doubt we need these exhibitions to be presented with new innovations, keep abreast of new developments, technologies and products, as well as networking with friends and colleagues from near and far.
A recent addition to traditional trade fairs has been the introduction of more and more CET. Organisers must strive to strike a balance between the drivers which will lure people to these events, but not at the expense of exhibitors who effectively ‘sponsor’ such events and rely on them to showcase their new products and, let us be frank, fill their order books. It really is a tricky balancing act; too little CET may not attract sufficient registrants and too much might make for disgruntled exhibitors – so, a challenge for us all, for the future.
Nowadays, where lifelong learning and CPD is the norm, coupled with the need to acquire greater knowledge of innovation, technology and products that is so often the key to successful businesses, I would urge the sector to reassess how this is delivered and meets the needs of optics in the UK in 2017 and beyond.
See you at Optrafair!