Attendees have been taking a trip back in time to past Expos, posting pictures (like the ones above) on www.facebook.com/visionexpo.


Nearly 14,000 vision industry representatives and eyecare providers from countries around the world are expected to touch down in Las Vegas next month for the 2013 International Vision Expo West (Oct. 2-5). Held at the Sands Expo & Convention Center, it is one of the most inclusive ophthalmic conferences and expo with more than 475 exhibitors, 5,000 brands and 375 hours of continuing education.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, International Vision Expo West will feature the latest trends from the finest brands in high-fashion eyewear, leading-edge diagnostic and medical equipment, and innovative lens and processing technology in 190,000 square feet of exhibits (an increase from 2012).

International Vision Expo West has planned special activities and giveaways to celebrate its anniversary and the attendees, exhibitors and partners who have helped to shape the event over the last 25 years. Highlights include:

  • 5th Anniversary Toast – Join International Vision Expo West in celebrating its 25th anniversary on Thursday, Oct. 3 from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. Guests will enjoy complimentary cocktails while networking with colleagues and perusing the show floor. Special 25th anniversary champagne glasses will be provided to each attendee to commemorate the show’s silver anniversary.
  • 25th Anniversary Opening Night Kickoff at TAO – Stop by TAO on Thursday, Oct. 3 to enjoy free admission all night and a one-hour open bar from 10:30 to 11:30 p.m. Admission bracelets can be picked up at any of the show’s on-site Customer Care counters.
  • 25th Anniversary Free Food – On Thursday, Friday and Saturday, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., attendees will receive free snacks on Level 2 of the show floor (back of the Exhibit Hall). As a special bonus, Continuing Education participants will receive free lunch on the show floor on Friday between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

According to show organizers, International Vision Expo West would not be possible without the support of its Founding Exhibitors, who embraced the vision to create the optical profession’s largest trade show with the most complete conference program. The following Founding Exhibitors have exhibited on the International Vision Expo West show floor each year since 1988: Abbott Medical Optics, A.I.T. Industries, Alcon Laboratories, Allergan, BPI Brain Power, Inc., Briot, USA, California Accessories, Canon U.S.A., Inc., Carl Zeiss Vision, Inc., Coburn Technologies, Inc., Colors In Optics, Ltd., Compulink Business Systems, Inc., Eastern States/Cazal USA, Essilor of America, EyeCOR by Nteon, Fashion Optical Displays, HILCO, Hoya Vision Care/The HOYA Free-Form Company, Hytech Optical, LLC., iCoat Company, Keeler Instruments, Inc., Lafont Company, L’Amy America, Logo of the Americas, Lombart Instrument, Luxottica Group, Premiere Vision, Marchon, Marco Ophthalmic, Inc., McGee Group, Modern Optical, Ltd., New York Eye, Optek International, Optical Works Corp., Phantom Research Laboratories, Practical Systems, Inc., Pro Design Eyewear, Inc., Rem Eyewear, Rons Optical, Safilo Group, Santinelli International, Seiko Optical Products, Topcon Medical Systems, Tura, Inc., Ultra Palm Optical – Caviar, Vigor Optical, Vision-Ease Lens, Vistakon, Viva International Group, Volk Optical, Inc., Websystem 3, Windsor Eyes Cadillac Eyewear, Woodlyn, Inc., Younger Optics, ZIG Eyewear, Zimco Optics, Inc., Zyloware Corp.

This year also marks the 10th Anniversary of The Suites, Vision Expo West’s high-fashion destination, located on floors 35 and 36 of The Venetian. This exclusive area features 38 suites with more than 100 luxury eyewear brands from the world’s most sophisticated couture designers. Visit www.visionexpowest.com/Suites10 for a current list of exhibitors. ■