100% Optical champions “fantastic industry”

100% Optical marked its 10th anniversary show last weekend with record-breaking registrations and 11,725 attendees – representing a 10 per cent year-on-year increase on its previous record attendance.

The three-day celebration of all things optics featured exciting exhibitor launches, a full educational programme with more than 100 hours of free CPD content, catwalk shows including Safilo’s Carolina Herrera takeover, the Love Eyewear Awards, the 100% Optical and Royal College of Arts annual student eyewear competition, as well as dedicated areas for contact lenses, independent designers and ophthalmology, which made its debut as a co-located show.

A special anniversary scavenger hunt saw visitors explore every area of the show as they tracked down clues in a bid to win an array of prizes.

Marlon Cera-Marle, show director, said: “Every year we look for new and exciting ways to enhance 100% Optical – both to keep our loyal attendees coming back, as well as to attract new audiences – and this year was no exception.

“The positive feedback, and the fact that 80 per cent of space for 2025 is already pre-booked, is testament to the team’s hard work and dedication as well as the trust our exhibitors, partners, sponsors and visitors put in us to deliver the UK’s only large-scale optical event. It’s an honour to witness how everyone comes together to champion this fantastic industry.

“There was such a great atmosphere all weekend, which is reflected in our record-breaking numbers, and everyone truly made it a show to remember. We couldn’t be happier with the results and attendance as we look ahead to the next 10 years,” added Marlon.

100% Optical 2025 will take place from 1-3 March.