Demonstrating strength in sales, technology, and innovation, Vision Expo West, the annual B2B event for eyewear and eyecare industry professionals, once again immersed attendees in cutting-edge advancements eyecare, including lens technology, diagnostic tools, practice management solutions, and the latest eyewear design trends.

Held Sept. 18-21 at The Venetian Convention & Expo Center in Las Vegas and organized by co-owners RX and The Vision Council, the trade show and conference attracted more than 11,000 industry professionals from 98 countries, including more than 350 exhibiting companies spanning a 103,000-square-foot show floor. 

Vision Expo West, which touts itself as the complete event for ophthalmic professionals, is the sister show to Vision Expo East, held annually in February or March in the eastern region of the U.S.  

Besides having a chance to explore an energetic show floor featuring eyeglass frame design and functionality trends, attendees enjoyed full access to industry education and took advantage of plentiful networking opportunities at an array of special events and industry gatherings. 

“As we wrap up another successful Vision Expo West, we are proud of the innovation and collaboration that defines this year’s event,” said Beth Casson, group vice president, RX. “The eyewear and eyecare industries continue to evolve, bringing new technologies and trends that enhance patient care and drive business growth. This expo has been a pivotal moment for the optical community as we continue to cultivate deep conversations regarding the exciting future of Vision Expo.” 

New and notable show floor highlights 

Known for its diverse array of eyewear and eyecare products and services, the show’s expo embodied a comprehensive platform for eyecare providers to explore and interact with new technologies, as well as discover the latest innovations and design trends from top industry leaders. These included brands such as Bausch + Lomb, ClearVision, Coburn Technologies, EssilorLuxottica, Hoya, Johnson & Johnson Vision, Kering Eyewear, Marchon, Marcolin, Tura, VSP Global, Zeiss Vision, as well as 90 new exhibitors.  

Some brand representatives enthusiastically noted the strong presence of influential buyers, which resulted in exceeded sales targets within the first half of the event, according to Vision Expo officials. 

“The discovery at Vision Expo West is unparalleled, there’s a lot of product innovation that gets brought here, and it simulates not only what’s out there in the market but what can be there in the future,” said Ruben Tellez, global marketing director, Carl Zeiss Vision. 

To enhance the attendee experience, the show also introduced new and enhanced show floor features this year, including: 

• The Tech & Innovation neighborhood, highlighting the industry’s latest technologies. 
• A soft launch of the OTC (over the counter) category, including Sun & Sport, a space dedicated to performance eyewear brands, research-related activations, and an active pickleball court for demonstrations and live play. 
• An expanded and enhanced independent design neighborhood with daily amenities, including a barista bar, light bites, a bubbles bar, and a DJ. 
• The debut of the lively V Bar on the eyecare side of the show floor, where attendees could attend daily networking events, such as “Cocktails and Connections” and gather for meetings. 
• The relocation of the Innovation Stage to a central area of the exhibit floor, with expanded programming that included clinical/business education, panels, and daily networking events, including the new “Visionaries Unveiled” series covering social media impact, hearing care in optical spaces, and integrating aesthetics into practice.  

The show also featured inspiring keynote speakers, including accomplished track and field athlete Alaysha Johnson, a Team Oakley member at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, who shared her inspiring Olympic journey and how Oakley’s performance eyewear contributed to her success. 

On the afternoons of Sept. 19 and 20, Eyecare Business presented “Flaunt the Frame: Eyewear Trends,” an eyewear-focused fashion show that showcased key fashion trends, while the 2024 NOW Awards Winners Exhibit highlighted top products shaping the industry’s future. 

In the Career Resource Center, sponsored by The Vision Council Foundation and other eyecare companies, eyecare students and recent graduates had the opportunity to connect with professionals from leading eyecare companies, and were given access to HR presentations, resume reviews, as well as a professional headshot booth. 

Among the many other strategies Vision Expo West implemented this year to increase audience satisfaction and loyalty was its focus on creating a frictionless attendee journey. This included simplifying the registration process, digital enhancements to the show’s mobile app, and improving features, such as session integrations for conference attendees, according to show officials. 

A plethora of professional education 

Featuring an extensive educational program packed with more than 220 hours of accredited courses and sessions across 23 specialty tracks led by industry experts, Vision Expo West’s continuing education sessions spanned a wide range of key topics in optometry, opticianry, and business.  

With its laser focus on enhancing patient care, the show’s program offered a new course schedule, 80% of which was new content, created by a refreshed education planning committee of influential optical professionals. 

“Vision Expo West remains the leading event for eyecare professionals,” said Mitch Barkley, vice president of trade shows at The Vision Council. “This year we had the opportunity to connect with members, ignite discussions about the future of eyecare, and forge lasting relationships across the industry.” 

What’s next for 2025 

New year, new location: that’s what’s coming down the pike for sister show Vision Expo East, which will be shifting from its long-standing location at New York City’s Javits Center to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 19-22., 2025 

In addition to offering attendees a multi-year, preferred date pattern of Thursday–Saturday, the move will also mark the debut of a reimagined show experience that will include a refreshed brand identity, simplified event navigation, improved programming and experiences, streamlined show areas, new features, and abundant opportunities for exhibitors to engage with attendees in a more centralized environment., according to Vision Expo officials. 

The venue, hotels, meeting spaces, and special events will all be located within a walkable area, ensuring a better connected and community-like experience for participants. 

“This move aligns with the industry’s evolving needs and reflects feedback from The Vision Council Board of Directors and the Vision Expo Show Planning Committee,” Casson said. “The new location and reimagined experience will enhance exhibitor-attendee engagement in a centralized setting designed to embrace the optical community.” 

She added that not only is Orlando well-equipped to facilitate Vision Expo’s unique trade show logistics, which will ensure a seamless transition for exhibitors and show attendees, but also it is within close proximity to the Orlando International Airport (MCO), as well as myriad vacation and hospitality experiences – an added benefit for attendees wishing to extend their trips to accommodate family and leisure travel.  

Vision Expo West will return Sept. 17-20, 2025, to The Venetian Expo. 

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