For the first time ever, opti 2013 will feature a joint stand for Italian companies. Eleven companies will be flying the flag for their country at the stand, which is being organised by the Italian optics association SIPAO (Sezione Industrie Produttrici di Articoli per l’Occhialeria) and will be found near the Walk of Frame in Hall C1. For most of the exhibitors, this will be their first appearance at opti, which will be held from 25 to 27 January 2013. Indeed with over 450 exhibitors already registered, next year’s opti is set to have more in store for its visitors than ever before.
“opti is a premier event which offers our companies the perfect opportunity to showcase their products and services,” said SIPAO president Lorraine Berton. She is head of an association which encompasses over 300 optics companies and over 11,000 staff in the Italian province of Belluno. The Italian optics industry is more prominent in this region than in any other part of Italy. This province located at the foot of the Dolomite Alps is home to a number of component suppliers, semi-finished product specialists and frame manufacturers who account for around 80% of Italy’s national optics production. In 2011 alone, these companies achieved a turnover of EUR 2.11 billion. The following eleven companies will be hosting the joint stand at opti 2013: Demenego, G.B., Lara D, Lastes group, Luxol, Martini occhiali, Matinèe, Pinoptik, Revert, Thema Optical and Trevi Coliseum. According to Berton, there is one motivating factor behind SIPAO’s involvement in this event: “The German market has always been a key export market for the optics industry in Belluno. It’s therefore essential that we take the chance to showcase our exceptional products at opti. Our stand is designed to highlight the creative expertise of our companies. This event will give the companies a feel for the market and a better picture of the trends and preferences of the visitors who will be coming from all over the world.” The eleven companies will use opti as a platform to showcase their new collections of glasses, sunglasses and children’s glasses to an international audience.