LONDON—100% Optical, the U.K.’s largest optical show, attracted a diverse group visitors and boasted over 200 exhibitors with a comprehensive range of stands in each section, debuting 500 eyewear brands and 100 exclusive product launches while also showcasing its strongest equipment area to date during its three days at London ExCeL from Jan. 12 to 14. The well-known 100% Optical catwalk was emceed by radio presenter, Annaliese Dayes and showcased over 60 frames in a variety of colors, styles and materials.

“It truly has been a bigger, bolder and brighter show this year with catwalk flash mobs wowing the crowds, kids modeling junior frames and spectacled mirrored dancers,” Nathan Garnett, event director said. “We welcomed 9,115 visitors through the doors over the three days and it was evident walking around the show that exhibitors had pulled out all the stops to provide a positive vibe and eye opening visitor experience with lively stands, entertainment and happy hours. This resulted in serious business being done at the show. So far our exhibitor rebooking numbers are up with over 50 percent of exhibitors already signed for 2020.”



During the three-day show, De Rigo launched its first ever Mulberry eyewear collection, while Topcon made its debut appearance at the exhibition launching a new image management software and a new tele-Optometry portal. Additionally, Dunelm Optical celebrated its 50th anniversary with a large stand at the show, using it as a platform to launch its first eyewear collection by Freya and showcasing its vast range of frames and state-of-the-art lens laboratory.

The equipment hub at this year’s 100% Optical show was its largest yet with over 20 suppliers including Optos, Zeiss, Luneau Technology, Cerium Visual Technologies, EasyScan, Heidelberg Engineering, Essilor and Mainline Instruments. Grafton Optical demonstrated its newest piece of dry eye equipment, the IDRA Integrated Ocular Surface Analysis System.

“The successful soft launch of Eyewear week set the foundation to help save the high street and raise the profile of the most important fashion accessory there is, with the industry getting behind #eyewearweek selfies and offering positive support to grow the initiative in 2020,” 100% Optical said.

The education program at the show, which is designed and delivered by the Association of Optometrists (AOP), boasted the largest number of speaker sessions to date and a range of content to appeal to the entire practice team. New for 2019, the British Academy of Audiology (BAA) supported the AOP in delivering CET for audiology for the first time and looked at the synergies between audiology and the optical sector. Adding value was the message in a fully-booked session on “Integrating Hearing Services into Practice.”

This year, 100% Optical pledged its support for the charity partner, SeeAbility and hosted the most attended Rockaoke party to date.

On Jan. 13, the Association of Optometrists (AOP) welcomed practitioners from across the optical sector at its annual awards ceremony.

The Royal College of Art Design competition also celebrated optical talent and achievement with six finalists on display at the show. Annie Foo came first in the design competition with ‘Party on Face', using music and fashion as expression and making glasses light up and flash in time to music.

The 2020 100% Optical show will take place from Jan. 25 to 27

“We are delighted to announce that our successful partnership with The Association of Optometrists (AOP) on 100% Optical will continue until at least 2022. ABDO has also confirmed its role in the 2020 event with discussions likely to increase their involvement,” Garnett said.

“We now look forward to making 2020 the event that brings the whole optical industry together for a massive celebration of this wonderful sector. We have a string of announcements coming in the next few months so watch this space.”