Clockwise from top left, James Spina, Kristin Calimlim, Julia Gogosha, Alicia Hartman, Wes Stoody, Scott Shapiro and Selima Salaun.
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ALEXANDRIA, Va.—Building on its past success, the Boutique Buyer Panel at Vision Expo West 2018 (Education: Sept. 26–29; Exhibit Hall; Sept. 27–29) will feature panelists from Article One, Europa Eyewear and STATE Optical Co., Eye Q Stylist and Peoples From Barbados, Gogosha Optique, Lafont, and Selima Optique, who will each bring their unique perspectives to the topic of independent eyewear. The Boutique Buyer Panel will take place on Friday, Sept. 28 from 5:00 to 5:45 p.m. in the Galleria Lounge, Vision Expo Exhibit Hall. Cocktails and Networking will take place from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m.

Titled “Celebrating Three Decades of Focused Independents,” panelists will have the opportunity to discuss the foundation of their past, the purpose of their presence and their hope for a powerful and independent future.

In celebration of Vision Expo West’s 30th anniversary, the panel will include a mixture of retail and vendor panelists. Two of the companies represented as vendors, Lafont and Europa Eyewear, have exhibited at Vision Expo since its inception and are proudly included on Vision Expo’s Founding Exhibitors list. The panel will also feature Article One, a new independent eyewear company based in Flint, Michigan and a 2017 winner of Vision Expo West’s Best Booth Award for Most Creative Booth Design.

The moderator for the panel will once again be James Spina, VP and Editor-in-Chief of 20/20 Magazine.

Retail Panelists include:
• Selima Salaun, owner of Selima Optique, New York City
• Julia Gogosha, owner of Gogosha Optique, Los Angeles
• Alicia Hartman, owner of Eye Q Stylist Opticians and Peoples From Barbados, Barbados


Vendor Panelists include:
• Scott Shapiro, COO of Europa Eyewear/CEO and co-founder of STATE Optical Co.
• Kristin Calimlim, director of marketing, Lafont
• Wes Stoody, founder & CEO, Article One
• Special guest appearance of an independent eyewear designer renowned for creativity and design.

Retail panelist, Selima Salaun of Selima Optique, will discuss her experience creating a successful retail and wholesale business. Selima Optique will showcase their eyewear line in a new Exhibit Hall neighborhood, the BLOCK, a curated environment within the Galleria. Retail panelist, Julia Gogosha, recently celebrated the 10th year of Gogosha Optique and has opened a new location in Echo Park, Los Angeles.

In addition, Alicia Hartman will bring her unique perspective of creating a luxury independent retail location and eyewear line in Barbados. She was recently a finalist in Vision Expo’s first OPTImum Retail Award.

“Throughout the year, I have had the exciting opportunity to travel from coast to coast building relationships with retail owners,” said Tarrence Lackran, director of industry relations, Reed Exhibitions. “I am constantly inspired by their passion and am looking forward to bringing their stories directly to attendees of Vision Expo West.”

The Boutique Buyer Panel is invitation-only event. For questions about the panel or to secure an invitation, contact tlackran@reedexpo.com.