HONG KONG—A record number of exhibitors and eyewear professional attendees from around the world will converge early next month at the 21st Hong Kong Optical Fair to be held Nov. 6 to 8 here.

Organized by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organized by Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association, the fair is expecting more than 650 eyewear exhibitors from 24 countries and regions, according to a statement from the show organizers. Among these are first-time participants from Israel, Macau and New Zealand, while France Pavilion is bringing 19 exhibitors to showcase their eyewear. Additional sponsors of the Hong Kong Optical Fair include: China Optometric & Optical Association, Fukui Optical Association, Korean Optometric Association, Malaysian Optical Wholesalers Association, Taipei Optical Association and the Thai Optometric Association.

Among the specialized product exhibition zones throughout the fair at the Convention Center here will be the Brand Name Gallery, which will house more than 170 renowned eyewear brands from 21 countries and regions—a section where industry players can see the latest trend of eyewear development and design trends. Major brands joining include BMW, Converse, DITA, Fitovers, FORST, FYSH UK, Hummer, ic! berlin, Jaguar, Markus-t and Morgan De Toi. This year, the fair has also created two new areas, one for reading glasses and another for 3D and Kids Eyewear.

HKTDC has given high priority to provide platform for local design talents to introduce innovative eyewear and tap into the global market. Under the theme “Craft of Paradise”, the 15th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition will scout out and honor new ideas and concepts in eyewear design.

Among those on the 2013 judges’ panel are: Walter Ma, a fashion designer in Hong Kong and vice chairman of the Hong Kong Fashion Design Association; Mario Cesco, product development director of Mondottica International Ltd; Francis Lee, chairman of Hong Kong Designers Association; and Jeffery Yau, CEO of Puyi Optical Ltd. The results will be announced this week; winning entries will be exhibited at Hall 1B Brand Name Gallery Wine Cellar during the fair period for global buyers’ viewing.

Concurrent with the fair, the 11th Hong Kong Optometric Conference will be held, themed as “Advance Optometry Care,” inviting experts from Hong Kong and Singapore, to discuss hot topics of the industry. A series of seminars will promote greater knowledge of industry trends, issues and market development , key speakers include Gianni Cossar, global director for Optics of GfK Italy and Huang Xian-ning, president and general manager of Jingyi Optics Ltd.

A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 12 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia.