opti 2024 is ready for the future of ophthalmic optics

Cathleen Kabashi from the opti trade fair management is delighted: "Four full halls on three power days! The key players and outstanding experts are on board, plus a top-class supporting program - opti is once again proving itself as a platform for the cohesion of a promising industry". Expanding your own competitiveness, protecting the climate, offering more good vision... Around 390 exhibitors, including big players, medium-sized companies and newcomers, provide answers to the urgent questions of the optical industry.

The motto is to be there
Visitors and exhibitors can become active, be amazed, understand and get personally involved, i.e. for all those who work together to secure the future of this multifaceted, important and health-promoting industry. As an international contact exchange, opti offers the optical industry the ideal stage in its four exhibition halls with 44,000 square meters of exhibition and meeting space. Not only key players such as Zeiss, Hoya, CooperVision, Silhouette, Marcolin and many more bring life to the trade fair motto #weareopti, above all those who have accompanied and shaped opti for years, such as Oculus, the OWP Group with CAZAL, Vistan, Charmant, Safilo, Andy Wolf, rolf or Blackfin, are an important building block for the success of the event.

Trends in the ophthalmic industry
The focal point is the trends in ophthalmic optics, which can be experienced live and up close, discussed together and examined from many angles. The earlier the trends in an industry are known and utilized, the better the chances for the future. The Innovation Area with opti Trend Hub in Hall C3.551 attracts visitors with exciting products and presentations. Among other things, the "Optics Trend Radar by opti" will be presented to trade fair visitors for the first time here. The area is complemented by the adjoining new opti Optics Start-up Area, which brings together industry newcomers.
In the already well-known opti boxes in Hall C2, truffle hunters will find the secret stars of frame design competing for the third opti Box Award. The winners will be announced by the international jury on January 13 at 2:30 p.m., once again on the opti Trend Hub stage in Hall C3, Stand C3.551.

Four opti Hubs in 2024: trend, myopia, sustainability and career

The focus of the upcoming opti is on inspiration, information and interactive exchange between all participants. To ensure this goes beyond the exhibitors' presentations, four themed hubs will be held for the first time:

1. new: Trend Hub in Hall C3
Which trends will ensure the success of opticians and the optical industry in the future? Under the motto "Eye like Future", the new Trend Hub in Hall C3 provides the answers and enriches opti 2024 with another highlight. The service robot Pepper makes it clear right from the start: an exciting mix of trend presentations, hands-on technology gadgets and digital steles where you can search for the latest trends yourself. Cathleen Kabashi provides deeper insights: "With its finger on the pulse of the times, opti provides impetus for the timely recognition and exploitation of business opportunities in the form of the results of the first optics trend radar by opti. Technical gadgets can also be tried out on site: From smart holotables to VR glasses used in eye diagnostics. While concise trend stand-ups by international and German industry insiders will keep guests up to date quickly and effectively, the opti Runway Bar will have drinks just around the corner."

2. opti Myopia Hub supported by Hoya in Hall C4.351
Here, international experts and practitioners will answer questions from the specialist audience about the latest developments in the field of myopia control and treatment. Sponsors such as Hoya, but also Cooper Vision, Essilor, Rodenstock, Oculus, Visall, SwissLens and MPG&E will comment on research results, insights and best cases. The extensive program with a total of 22 specialist presentations is available online at opti.de.

3rd opti Sustainability Hub supported by Focus with Sustainability Award in Hall C4.353
Sustainability as one of the central trend topics of our time and thus also of the optical industry: this hub will offer lectures and discussion panels on the topics of ecology, economy and social issues. The opti Sustainability Award will honor outstanding initiatives in the field of sustainability for the first time in 2024 and is the further development of the goals of the Sustainability Interest Group (IG), which forms the jury for the award: To sensitize everyone in the optical industry to the need for sustainable action and to move from talk to action. The IG is an association of experts from manufacturers and opticians who have been committed to greater sustainability within the industry since opti 2022. The premiere of the opti Sustainability Award is thanks to the tireless commitment of the IG: "We are delighted to see the three selected finalists pitching for the first award at opti 2024! The response this year shows how much the topic is moving our industry and how intensively optical companies are already working on solutions. Every idea submitted is a win for everyone - and for the industry itself," said the jury members in an official statement. The pitch and the award ceremony will take place on Friday, January 12, at 3 pm.

4. new: Career Hub supported by eyebizz in Hall C3.361
Together with eyebizz Jobs, employers and jobseekers from the optical industry will meet here in an inspiring atmosphere for speed dating, career pitches and discussions with high potentials. A job wall, further presentations on career topics and live discussions with professionals at informal themed tables (e.g. the use of AI in HR) bring together professionally suitable players.
Curated tours on all three days
The well-known opti tours are free of charge on all three days of the trade fair and can be booked in three versions while space lasts:
1) For trainees with Sarah Schleicher on the Friday of the fair from 4 p.m.
2) Focus on ophthalmic optics several times a day with epitop GmbH
3) Daily tours to the Independent Eyewear Brands with Karin Stehr.
Link to all topics and dates: https://www.opti.de/messe/opti-rundgaenge/

Finally back: the #weareopti party
Apart from the enormous variety of information, current studies and specialist presentations on the industry's most pressing issues, it is the personal meetings that give opti in Munich its unique DNA. During all three days of the trade fair, the YES Lounge in Hall C1.151, the opti Box Bar in Hall C2.171, the new opti Runway Bar in Hall C3.451 and the opti Caf© by ZVA in Hall C4.235 will provide the right ambience for personal discussions. And on the first evening of the trade fair, opti invites you to the #weareopti party with free drinks, snacks and lots of dancing - above Hall C1 in Restaurant C1/C2!

opti connect: Information and networking before, during and after the trade fair
In addition to the new ticket service (request via suppliers or regional guild associations), opti connect makes trade fair planning much easier for everyone involved. All information on the activities, products and services of the exhibiting companies can be found here in a clearly structured form. Before, during and after the trade fair, trade fair participants can network systematically and program planning can also be done with a click via opti Connect. Focused on the selected topics, everyone can find all information on the digital platform around the clock and is regularly informed about news in the respective topic area by Marketing Automation.
Conclusion: Those who participate will expand their future and business opportunities!

First optical trend radar
The motto of the first optics trend radar by opti is "Watch, prepare & act". A motto that also applies to opti participants, around 65 percent of whom are purchasing decision-makers. They benefit from the earliest possible assessment of trends in the optical industry as well as from the broad transfer of knowledge and comprehensive business contacts.
A high density of decision-makers is typical of opti and can also be expected in 2024: two thirds of visitors are involved in investment decisions at their companies. And for 89 percent of those surveyed, a visit to opti has an influence on their purchasing decisions. 91 percent are looking for new business relationships.
The complete range of products and services is a must: opti brings together the core areas of ophthalmic optics in one place: From eye health and eyewear design to IT, devices, business equipment, contact lenses, marketing, IT and supply. Exhibitors and visitors alike overcome well-trodden paths, technology and thought bans here. In addition to the range on offer, it is the opti audience that makes the event unique. Because: The trip to Munich is worth it. The top ten visitors come from D-A-CH, BeNeLux, Italy, the Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Sweden, Denmark, Slovenia and Israel

The plus point is the wide range of topics
Another plus point is the wide range of topics of interest: Exhibitors win customers with innovations. Trade visitors see opti as an important showcase for the future of ophthalmic optics. With its annual top themes, opti hits the nerve of the times. In 2023, 99 percent were enthusiastic about the opti innovations: 99 percent for the opti Sustainability Hub, 99 percent for the opti Myopia Hub, 97 percent for the opti Social Media Consultation Hour (which will also be continued in 2024, booking possible via the website) and 97 percent for the guided tours.
The focus is on clear business objectives: visitors want to see and experience new things. Visitors' top objectives include the search for innovations and trends, the exchange of experience and information, networking and new business contacts. 96 percent of return visitors speak in favor of the trade fair concept. This gives regular exhibitors the opportunity to tap into new target groups every year and maintain contacts at the same time. The interest in market leaders and newcomers is equally high: What are the big players doing? Who are the successful newcomers? Every trade fair visitor is interested in this. Not only the global market leaders know: If you want to be one of them, you can't miss opti 2024.