How was your VEW?

[Karlen McLean]

If you went to Vision Expo West, how was it? What stood out to you? What was the general tone of the show? What products seemed hot? What events were fun?

[Grubendol]

I was there but literally only for a few hours. The classes I took on Progressive Lens designs and how to make sure a lens is as thin as it can be were excellent.

and that new swarf removal tool was probably my highlight. :geek:

[Pete Hanlin]

Considering the event is held in Las Vegas, NV, it went well (probably one of my least favorite cities to visit).

Unlike the past few Expos, there were plenty of new products for which information could be gathered- Hoyalux iD, Creation, GT2, etc...

Personally, I wish we could cut down to one big show (preferrably in Dallas)- but I understand a lot of people enjoy going to NYC and LasV...

Highlight for me was the opportunity to catch up with a fellow OptiBoarder.

[Grubendol]

Really bummed I didn't get to meet any of you.

And I wouldn't ever make it if it was further away than Vegas or maybe EssEff.

[Judy Canty]

My VEW was fabulous! Favorite new thing...VisAbility Redi-Mirror, but then I might be a bit prejudiced. Favorite other thing...the OWA reception on Friday night.

EVERYTHING else stays in Vegas! ;)

[SarahMP584]

I had a great time, Met a lot of amazing people, saw some GORGEOUS frames up in the suites, and ate a lot of good food!!!

[karen]

I enjoyed seeing some old friends (Pete, where were you?) and got to hang out a bit with Keith Benjamin, who is a very nice guy. I liked the Drivewear info and some of the new dispensing aid stuff CZV is coming out with. I could not find the booth Judy, I didn't take the number and couldn't find Polycore on the directory.......:cry:

[rolandclaur]

Being my first Vision expo, the minute I stepped in I was surprised at the actual real extent of the convention. It was larger than I thought and I was very excited to walk around and see everything. It made me realize how little of the industry I have actually been exposed to.

As I spent more and more time there, I got to see a lot of the new products and booths, but a lot of the booths looked more like modeling angencies.. I never realized that style and fashion was such an integral part of the convention. I mean they had a model just laying in a display acrylic case wearing a sunglass from the product line.

As I was walking around and introducing myself and asking questions at the various exhibitor booths, I started to get the feeling that the reps would not take me seriously, and frankly didn't even want to talk to me. It probably had to do with the fact that I worked for Costco. On 3 or 4 separate occasions, I would ask questions, and as soon as they found out who I worked for, they would excuse themselves to talk with an associate, or answer the cell phones and walk away, or talk to another attendee.

I did have some good experiences with some of the exhibitors, especially the NAO and CLSA booth. Overall, my VEW was good and I would do it again

[Johns]

I was there all day Thurs. & Friday, and noticed quite a few no-shows (vendors), as well as much smaller booths. Marchon & Luxottica downsized quite a bit, as well as others. There weren't as many direct manufacturers as last year. My Vision Express and Asia Pacific, two vendors I saw in NY & VEW last year were also not there. Over all, I'd grade it a B-.

Did anyone go to Club Vision for lunch ? What a disaster ! They call everyone and tell them to come for free lunch (w/ rsvp) and then they toss out a few pizzas to serve hundreds of people. The servers kept saying " we told them to order more food, but they wouldn't listen..."
They'd have been better off not offering anything, than hyping a bunch of nothing.

[Chris Ryser]

I'd grade it a B-.


Johns , Thanks for a very frank report. You have confirmed what I have been saying for the last few years about these monster shows. The dinosaurs are on the way to extinction.



Personally, I wish we could cut down to one big show (preferrably in Dallas)- but I understand a lot of people enjoy going to NYC and LasV...


And here a confirmation from an exhibitor. I would like to see the real statistics on the visitors.

Again above comment

[Jim Schafer]

I have been to at least 16 VEW's and I think this one was the largest in attendance. I always think of VEW being laid back, but not this year. I too hate LV and would rather see VEW in LA or San Diego.

We were swamped from the opening bell Thursday. I left Saturday ( I went out Monday for the VCA meetings) morning but heard Saturday was busy too.

I spent a lot of time in the equipment pavillion and their traffic was busy too.
Jim

[Traci]

My VEW was one of the best ever! The vendors I spoke with were great and offered a lot of valuable information. Very productive. Can't wait for next year's! :cheers:
Love Vegas!

[bwitched24]

My first show after being in this industry for 10 years. I had a blast! I was on my annual vacation for my wedding anniversary, and I decided to tie work into it. I think I'll go every year.

Marchon's booth was very exciting...great music, waitstaff and atmosphere. My reps are amazing and I consider them friends. Yolanda at the Altaire booth was both witty and friendly. The new Transitions technology/Drivewear was neat, but the booth was small, and no one was available to answer my questions.

I missed a couple of people I wanted to connect with, and sorry I didn't post on here before I went so we could've met.

See you next year!

[Barry Santini]

Considering the event is held in Las Vegas, NV, it went well (probably one of my least favorite cities to visit).

Unlike the past few Expos, there were plenty of new products for which information could be gathered- Hoyalux iD, Creation, GT2, etc...

Personally, I wish we could cut down to one big show (preferrably in Dallas)- but I understand a lot of people enjoy going to NYC and LasV...

Highlight for me was the opportunity to catch up with a fellow OptiBoarder.

If there was just one show (anywhere but NY, where I live), I just simply wouldn't go. It's the convenience of VEE that allows me to attend. I usually schedule the seminars I'm interested in first, and then work any exhibit hall time around that.

Personally, I think that the *technology* behind all the new progressive offerings is overkill, or at least misplaced. I'd luv to see real Free-form manufacturing combined with a new refractive paradigm to allow wrap SV lenses to become more manistream.

But we'd have to abandon our dependence on the phoropter first...and I don't see that happening anytime soon.

Barry Santini, ABOM

[Fezz]

Marchon's booth was very exciting...great music, waitstaff and atmosphere. !


Thats all well and good, but, what about the frames!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I gave up on VEE because I got tired of having to wade thru the ballons, streamers, waiters and waitresess, M&M dishes, scantily clad models(and Reps!), bottled water, soda, thumping bass boom music, just to try to get to the job at hand. The job at hand was/is to check out PRODUCT!! I passed on a lot of purchasing at the Theme Park booths and really made on of the most profitable and sound business decisions of my career. That decision was to purchase product from the smaller vendors who were more in tune to showing and delivering great product than providing an exciting atmosphere, with great music and fine waitstaff.

The last VEE that I went to also turned me off of the education offerings. I must have struck out and picked the two worst courses with the most talkitive attendees. UGH!


Fezz
:cheers:

[Chris Ryser]

.........................and really made on of the most profitable and sound business decisions of my career. That decision was to purchase product from the smaller vendors who were more in tune to showing and delivering great product than providing an exciting atmosphere, with great music and fine waitstaff.


Thank you Fezz..................................good post and good sense.

Visitors to VE ususally steer directly under full steam to the booth of the companies they do business with to get a fine reception and somme goodies and from there to the next one.......walking through isles with smaller booth's not looking to the right nor the left.

It is the vendor in the smaller booth that many times offer items you have never seen and might be of great interest and or importance.

If the small vendor wants to be seen he has to spend another few thousand dollar with VE to get some promotional advertising with directions to his booth.

If visitors would show more interest in the show itself, maybe they would make a tour around the back isles more often......looking what's up with the smaller or startup companies.

As an exhibitor gor 16 years I gave up on VE becasue both, visitors as well as show management favour the large exhibits, one for the money and the other for the circus atmosphere.

:hammer:

[Angels Rock]

Johns , Thanks for a very frank report. You have confirmed what I have been saying for the last few years about these monster shows. The dinosaurs are on the way to extinction.




And here a confirmation from an exhibitor. I would like to see the real statistics on the visitors.

Again above comment

Chris,

You may say the dinosaurs are on the way to extinction but I have been to 17 VEW and about 10 in NYC and this was by far the best and busiest show that I have seen. Thursday, usually the slow day, was swamped from about 11am until 5pm. Friday closed at 6pm and I didn't leave the booth until 7pm, still with customers. Sat. I did not leave the booth at all from the time it opened until the time it closed.

Karen you didn't come to visit me. What happened?

[FCChemist]

This was the first Vision Expo I've attended. I went for meetings with a customer and to walk the show for competitive intelligence. Meeting the customer was great walking the show was ok. My interests are coatings for lenses and there wasn't alot there in that respect.

mike

[Ory]

I was there for the first time, mainly because my wife and I wanted a vacation. The continuing education was hit-and-miss as it typically is but a few lectures were superb.

The exhibit hall was impressive, larger than any shows I've been to before. I was rather disappointed in many of the exhibitors though. I'm 28 and probably look about 23 or 24. I was completely ignored by many people, even when they were not busy. The two that stick out in my mind are Gerber-Coburn and Plastics Plus.

On the other hand, I was chased across an aisle by a woman looking to recruit ODs for costco in California.

I had a great time in Vegas, but I doubt I'd go to VEW again. I haven't been to New York before though.....:D

[Johns]

I gave up on VEE because I got tired of having to wade thru the ballons, streamers, waiters and waitresess, M&M dishes, scantily clad models(and Reps!), bottled water, soda, thumping bass boom music, just to try to get to the job at hand. The job at hand was/is to check out PRODUCT!!
Fezz
:cheers:





That's because the large companies like to dazzle you with everything BUT product. Take away the frills from these booths, and you have the same (and often less) than the other have to offer.

I spend the majority of my time at the shows on the perimeter. The perimeter of these venues are the lower priced and smaller exhibitor spots. These companies are usually bare bones and often the manufacturers. You know that when you place and order, you're not paying for the M&Ms, the models, the drinks, the parties, and all the other excesses that so many of the buyers get sucked in with.

"Excitement, music, friends..." Give me a break! This is business!

Bullseye Fezz!!

[bwitched24]

That's because the large companies like to dazzle you with everything BUT product. Take away the frills from these booths, and you have the same (and often less) than the other have to offer.

I spend the majority of my time at the shows on the perimeter. The perimeter of these venues are the lower priced and smaller exhibitor spots. These companies are usually bare bones and often the manufacturers. You know that when you place and order, you're not paying for the M&Ms, the models, the drinks, the parties, and all the other excesses that so many of the buyers get sucked in with.

"Excitement, music, friends..." Give me a break! This is business!

Bullseye Fezz!!


You guys are obviously on a different page than me. I not only signed on with Altair, I found safety goggles for our new IPL AND signed on with the Michael Kors line ( I am one of 2 practices in the state to carry it AND I sold my first one in 3 days!) It wasn't about the M&M's or water that Marchon offered. I saw my CK and Flexon reps immediately and we instantly decided what was best for my practice. Most "small vendors" didn't give me the time of day, so I went with what I knew and what I knew would sell. I think it's safe to say that if the "big" vendor's lines sell, then hit them up for new product. I sold a new CK the very day I got it. I guess we all have different viewpoints.

[Johns]

I saw my CK and Flexon reps immediately and we instantly decided what was best for my practice.

The key word in this statement is "WE"

Isin't it amazing how reps "instantly" know what is best for "your" practice?

Hmm:rolleyes:

[HarryChiling]

I am planning on going to this coming years VEE and I will be there looking for new and unique products that could fit our business. I went to a bunch o genetics expos with my wife in DC since it is so close and it is absolutely amazing the interesting things you see in the bowels of the expos. If you want free stuff and key chains all you have to do is walk in the doors and go straight ahead where all the big boys are. We automatically went off to the sides and saw the most new and exciting stuff. (to be honest with you my wie ssaw new and exciting stuff, I saw stuff :bbg: )

[bwitched24]

The key word in this statement is "WE"

Isin't it amazing how reps "instantly" know what is best for "your" practice?

Hmm:rolleyes:


I guess I have a different relationship with my reps than you do. I trust them, consider them friends and have NEVER gotten screwed over by them like some of my other reps. It's funny how I've worked with them both for over 5 years now, and they've never padded orders or given me poor customer service. I can guarantee they're there whenever I need anything and we have a mutual respect for one another. I guess I'm just lucky in that aspect. Hmmm?

[Chris Ryser]

I trust them, consider them friends and have NEVER gotten screwed over by them like some of my other reps. Hmmm?


You did not tel us the ratio between the two types of yourreps....................how many are your friends and how many screw you over. :hammer:

[Johns]

I guess I have a different relationship with my reps than you do. I trust them, consider them friends and have NEVER gotten screwed over by them like some of my other reps. It's funny how I've worked with them both for over 5 years now, and they've never padded orders or given me poor customer service. I can guarantee they're there whenever I need anything and we have a mutual respect for one another. I guess I'm just lucky in that aspect. Hmmm?

You are right. I have a different realtionship with my reps than you do. I need a rep to carry the frames in from their car, to open the bags, show me the frames, and let me ( and my staff) decide what our patients will want. Reps also act as a liason between the company and myself.After all, most of the reps are from over 50 miles away, and have no idea what sells in our area. Reps do not become a part of the decision making process, nor do we consider each other friends. We are frieindly and very cordial to each other, but not what I'd consider "friends".

I used to be a rep, and I do realize that different offices have different needs, so I can appreciate the relationships you have with your reps. (I'm sure they appreciate it as well.)

I prefer to keep all the emotion out of my dealings with reps, as well as the companies they work for.

[LKahn]

We enjoyed participating in the VEW show. It offered us a number of great opportunites to meet some very interesting vendors and customers. A trade-show is like life. It is all up to you to make the best of it. We very much appreciated the opportunites it offered.

[Kim Scheidler]

We've been going to VEW for about the last 7 years with a large group of our customers.

First off, VCA will tell you that anywhere outside of Vegas the show was steadily dwindling in attendance by all of the optical community.

I pretty much start at the galleria and work my way through the whole show in about 2 days. I don't think I had many bad experiences with any vendor I made a point of talking to. Generating interest in their product is why they are there! Sure, there are a lot of booths that have no interest for me, or me to them, but there is an enormous amount of information and new product there if you're willing to mine for it a little.

Several people mentioned some of new major lens company products, but besides them I spent a good time at the Kaenon booth, a truly interesting and different super durable 1.56 polarized lens that's super impact resistant, warranteed against chipping or delamination and found some great new hand tools at several booths.

No show or exhibit hall is perfect, I've found that "What stays in Vegas" is usually CASH! New York costs more and has more vendors that I don't feel the need to see.

Here's a kicker for next year though, in order to avoid some holidays and fit more people in they've moved VEW to the first week in October which will overlap with the OAA national meeting as well as at least half a dozen state optometric meetings. This will be interesting!

Kim