April Optrafashion Show in U.K. Cancelled

**Joann Raytar** · 12-19-2001, 11:46 PM

From VMail, for December 20, 2001.
VMail is a service of VM Online. Visit the VM Web site at
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April Optrafashion Show in U.K. Cancelled

LONDON--Optrafashion 2002, the optical trade show scheduled for April
13-15 here, has been cancelled by its sponsor, the Federation of Manufacturing Opticians. The group cited "indications of an economic downturn" as well as the ongoing fear of terrorist activity as reasons for the cancellation. This would have been the second Optrafashion show; the first was called Eyefashion. Plans are proceeding for Optrafair 2003, the biannual U.K. trade show, according to the FMO, which added, "It is hoped the climate will have improved to assure a successful Optrafashion in 2004."

What's the scoop on this one folks?

**John R** · 12-20-2001, 02:20 AM

I seem to remember this in the opical papers last year with them saying what a poor turn out there was, so siteing terroist reason is very sad, just looking for excuses ?
As to Optafair after the turn out this year (2001) i just wonder if any body will bother showing their products, as far as our company was concerened it was a total waste of money, with the likes of Sola/UK pulling out i think it will be another no show.

Just seems to be a UK trend at present "Lets not bother, someone else will do it"

**Joann Raytar** · 12-20-2001, 09:06 AM

Perhaps they are taking a que from the US trade shows that were cancelled this fall. The difference being after the US shows cancelled much of the money already put towards the show went to 9/11 relief funds. The show was set to go on but was cancelled out of concerns about tavel and having to be in a major city so close to the September events. It sounds like you are right about Optrafashion cancellation seems to have been in the plans for awhile.

Just because Sola/UK is pulling out of Optafair they are thinking of calling off the show? Sola must be real big over in the UK. Aren't there other major vendors who have booths at European trade shows?

**John R** · 12-20-2001, 01:48 PM

Originally posted by Jo
Just because Sola/UK is pulling out of Optafair they are thinking of calling off the show? Sola must be real big over in the UK. Aren't there other major vendors who have booths at European trade shows?

Jo, Sola pulled out of this years show even after they had spent £50,000 but they said that they were not reaching their target market via the shows and could use the money to target their market better otherways..
Sola is a large co yes but not the biggest, the show seems to be more aimed at the opticians than the rest of the trade.

Optrafashion is aimed at opticians as it is (was) used to showcase new frame designs. When you add the cost of a day or two in london not many can justify that sort of layout just to look at a few frames..

Optafair is small fry compaired to the european shows, i guess that a trip to Birmingham does not have the same attraction as Milian or Paris....

**Joann Raytar** · 12-20-2001, 09:07 PM

Do many employers reimburse travel expenses for travelling to other European shows or are opticians on their own when it comes to getting to trade events?

**shimsham** · 08-14-2002, 08:47 AM

no. i've tried that one

**Joann Raytar** · 08-14-2002, 11:22 PM

Well, hopefully they will at least give you time off to go???

**John R** · 08-15-2002, 01:12 AM

Jo said:
Do many employers reimburse travel expenses for travelling to other European shows

Not a chance, in fact we would be lucky if we didn't have to use uor own holidays.....
We we offered a free trip to optafair once, but the catch was it required one of us to drive the rest in a minibus. All the one's who could drive dropped out fast as no one wanted to have to drive and be unable to have a drink... Never got offered after that...If we want to go now we have to pay our own expences, unless you can blag a freebe of someone else...

**shimsham** · 08-15-2002, 05:04 AM

john, you've given away the real reason opticians go to trade fairs. one big boozing session. a chance for opticians to get drunk and bore each other with tales of hoya's new high index lens, essilor's new vari, briot's new blocking machine, ad infinitum...

i do this every weekend with my friend who has just passed her pqe's, much to the annoyance of our other friends.