LONDON— 100% Optical, an audited trade event for optical professionals in the U.K., was held from Feb. 7 to 9, 2015 at Excel, based here. The event recorded a 25 percent increase in attendance over 2014’s inaugural event, with more than 6,000 visitors in the second year, according to Media 10 Limited, the event organizers.

“We are establishing London as a place for the international optical community to network, learn, purchase new products and look at the innovation coming through from designers, the latest technology and new clinical eyecare products,” said Nathan Garnett, event director for 100% Optical.

The lineup of optical brands included an impressive range from eyewear, equipment, lenses, business services and contact lenses with over 2,000 new products on display in seven sold out feature areas. The key areas of the event were eyewear, equipment and machinery, lenses, and business services, with industry “hubs” placed in each section to encourage, organizers said. There were three catwalk fashion shows each day taking place in the fashion hub and hands on workshops throughout the show.

A seminars program, compiled together with the Association of Optometrists (AOP), included keynote lectures, interactive workshops and panel debates. The entire seminar program available equaled more than 100 CET points over the three-day event. Free to attend, the seminars took place throughout the show.

100% Optical was the showcase for the Royal College of Art eyewear design competition. Two winners were chosen from six finalists which had been narrowed down from 55 entrants over two categories—couture and ready to wear. There was also a Visual Merchandising Design Competition featuring four finalists from Falmouth University, with the winner announced at the show.

Additionally, 100% Optical also featured an interactive campaign with their charity partner Fight For Sight with the #BlinkWinkThink campaign where exhibitors and attendees were encouraged to take a selfie (covering one eye), nominate others and text “Donate” to raise money for research to prevent sight loss and treat eye disease. According to organizers, the campaign raised thousands of pounds and culminated with an “eye” wall of participants on prominent display at the event, including celebrities from Brittan’s Strictly Come Dancing finalist Karen Hauer, master chef Gregg Wallace and reality show Made in Chelsea’s Hugo Taylor.

Next year’s 100% Optical will take place from Feb. 6 to 8, 2016 at Excel in London.