Vision-X Dubai turns focus on region's 'immense' optical and eye-care business potential

DUBAI- The highly-lucrative, international optical business will come under the microscope when a refreshed Vision-X Dubai – the Middle East’s largest optical trade show – returns to Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) for its 15^th outing later this year.

Running November 25-27, 2014, Vision-X Dubai will gather more than 4,000 trade visitors and over 150 exhibitors from more than 15 countries across 6,500m² of dedicated exhibition space at DWTC.

According to Euromonitor International, the UAE eyewear market was worth $420 million (AED1.58 billion) in 2013 with the domestic market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of seven per cent per annum up to 2018. As a unified platform for the optical sector’s fashion and medical spheres to expand their regional operations, Vision-X Dubai will feature two distinct zones: Optistyle, a dedicated arena for retail opticians and optometrists, and Opticare, a platform covering the entire spectrum of technical eye-care products and services.

The industry-wide coming together will see global eyewear brands and retailers showcase cutting-edge trends, products and accessories at Optistyle, while eye-care providers, medical practitioners and technology suppliers will discuss and display the latest  services, equipment and machinery on the show-floor at Opticare – a show first.

“As the Middle East and North Africa region’s only optical and eyecare business event, Vision-X Dubai brings buyers and sellers together to source new products and suppliers, and catch up with the latest trends, customers, contacts and industry information,” said Trixie LohMirmand, Senior Vice President, Events & Exhibitions Department, DWTC.

In addition to a series of glamorous eyewear fashion shows being added to this year’s Vision-X Dubai bill, a dedicated zone for NGOs featuring specialist showcases of affordable, pioneering eye-care technology solutions tailor-made for the developing world is another eye-catching draw for global optical businesses.

“We’ve reformatted the event to celebrate this year’s crystal anniversary and the response from exhibitors has been universally positive,” added LohMirmand. “The refreshed show will offer a much more expansive and holistic platform for the international optical industry to explore and monetise immense revenue-generating opportunities across the MENA region and beyond.”

With a raft of leading European lifestyle eyewear brands – including Tavat, Exalt Cycle, Le Tanneur, Linda Farrow, Mad In Italy, Ic! Berlin, Boucheron, Minima and Maybach Limited Edition – already on-board for Optistyle, Ahmad Hamou, Sales Director, AMICO Group, the UAE-based distributor of leading international brands such as Adidas, Fred, Silhouette, Tag Heuer, Logo, Briot and Ciba Vision, praised the show’s new direction.

“We are long-time Vision-X Dubai exhibitors and the show has consistently delivered for us,” said Hamou. “The new look and feel for 2014 is very exciting and we’re looking forward to meeting old customers and making new ones this November.”

To be held in DWTC’s Sheikh Saeed Halls from November 25-27, Vision-X Dubai – a strictly a trade-only event – will be open daily from 10am to 6pm.