SILMO Paris 2018: A trade fair that keeps its promises
The 52nd edition of the International Optical Fair demonstrated its appeal on this rather dynamic global market with a satisfying turnover. Over four days, more than 37,000* professional visitors (56% of international) were able to admire the creativity of the 965 exhibitors in attendance, including 230 new companies exhibiting for the first time; and to enjoy all the features that help make SILMO Paris, the great professional trade fair, so unique and open to the world. “We are living up to our slogan, ‘so much more than just a fair,’” states Eric Lenoir, SILMO director. The event is a truly multifaceted instrument designed for all the facets of the sector: it optimises the array of exhibitors by additionally providing information, training and trend monitoring for a 360° view of our industry.” “It is marvellous to see all the creativity and energy in the aisles of the trade fair,” remarks Amélie Morel, Chairwoman of Silmo Paris.”
*Key figures of SILMO Paris 2018.
965 exhibitors including 77% foreign exhibitors
1 548 brands
230 new companies
80 000 sqm. of exhibition area
A review of the highlights of this 2018 edition.
A global new space, SILMO NEXT took a look at the future with THE SELECTION of Trendy Products, which appears in the digital magazine TRENDS by SILMO. Unveiling the style and design forecast for 2019, the publication is available for consultation at all times on the trade fair website (silmoparis.com).
The concurrent and complementary FUTUROLOGY forum presented the products, services and technologies of tomorrow, drawing connections between
well-established brands and start-ups to highlight four themes of the new markets: sports, well-being and health, entertainment, and 3D printing.
Technological companies such as Garmin, McLaren, Matérialise, Everysight, 5th Dimension, LightVision, Microoled, Atol, Cinemizer, and others presented their points of view, combining them with those of optics professionals to inspire future innovations to better rise to tomorrow’s challenges.
The international dimension of SILMO Paris has lead the organizers to welcome this year the International Opticians Association, or IOA, which honored for the first time, one personality who has contributed to the development and excellence of the optical profession. This award was given by Fiona Anderson, President of IOA and Elaine Grisdale, Director of Development of IOA, to Robert Grimard – Canadian Optician.
Since 2010, SILMO ACADEMY has been supporting ophthalmic optical professionals in their pursuit of excellence by proposing scientific workshops
and seminars through which they may perfect their knowledge and speak with experts from each field. The 9th edition of this scientific conference brought together more than a hundred opticians who learned about functional visual development with a training course on the theme “Vision and Growth, 0 to 20 years of age”, featuring a programme led by top scientists.
Following this day of discussion, the coordinators of the SILMO ACADEMY awarded a grant of 10,000 euros to Jan SKERSWETAT, from Departement of Vision and Hearing Science, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. This grant encourages and acknowledges research in the field of vision. It offers
an opportunity for researchers to publish their work and gain exposure.