Optical Fair Opens With Record Number Of Exhibitors

4 November 2015 – The HKTDC Hong Kong Optical Fair opened today and continues through 6 November at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and co-organised by the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association (HKOMA), the fair welcomes a record number of more than 750 exhibitors from 25 countries and regions.

To offer more business opportunities, the HKTDC has organised over 70 buying missions from 47 countries and regions, representing major importers, distributors and retailers. Vision Planet SRL from Argentina, Amazon (China) Investment Co. Ltd from the Chinese mainland, Fokus Optik A.S. from Czech Republic, Dega Plus Company from Kazakhstan, Athletic Sport Group (GRUPO ILLICE) from Spain, LOTTE Department Store from South Korea and Majestic Optics Co. from the United Arab Emirates have sent their buying teams to the fair.

High-tech eyewear
Smart eyewear with advanced functions showcased by Hong Kong Optical Lens Co. Ltd, including the Epson Moverio BT-200, Google Glass, Recon Jet and Vuzix M100, give fairgoers a glimpse of the future. Innovative eyewear built from 3D printing, which helps to lower manufacturing costs and allows smaller-scale production, is another trend on show at the fair. Unique, high-end creations by leading eyewear brands such as ic! berlin and Morgenrot from Germany, pq BY RON ARAD from Italy and Monoqool from Denmark demonstrate the wide range of design possibilities opened up by 3D printing.

Focus on global brands
A showcase for leading international players, the popular Brand Name Gallery has been relocated to Grand Hall on Level 3 of the HKCEC and expanded this year to welcome 220 brands from 22 countries and regions. Top brands on display include A Bathing Ape, Italia Independent, Jaeger, Kenzo, L.G.R, MANGO, Markus-t, SLASTIK, SUPERDRY and the Red Dot Award-winning Korean brand Seesun. Highlighted products include:

• Limited edition model KZDPE1401 by Kenzo, previously featured at the Kenzo runway show in Paris Fashion Week, with trendy mirror lens and temple tips resembling a pair of planet-shaped pearl earrings.
• Minima hybrid by Minima, which has received a number of industry distinctions, with a fully adjustable, hypoallergenic 5.8-gram frame made of acetate and titanium.
• EYE s CLOUD optical frames, which won Japan’s “Good Design Award” in 2013, created by a Japanese designer and made of super engineering plastic (ultem) known for its outstanding lightness, elasticity, flexibility and strength.
• Environment-friendly NATURA eco-acetate frames made with completely bio-degradable materials.

Eyewear parades in the form of a fashion show are held regularly throughout the three-day fair period to showcase the latest collections of leading eyewear brands. Winning and shortlisted entries in the 17^th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition are also displayed prominently at Hall 1D, where buyers can vote on-site to choose the winner for “The Latest Look Award”.

Other special zones focus on new trends in various sectors, namely, Contact Lens & Accessories, Eyewear Accessories, Kids Eyewear & Smart Eyewear, Reading Glasses, Sport & Professional Eyewear and Optometric Instruments, Equipment & Machinery zones.

Building the optical industry
Seminars on a wide range of topics, including “Achieving Business Success ‒ How to Leverage the Latest Industry, Retail and Consumer trends” (presented by representatives from GfK, Germany’s leading market research institute), “Opportunities in the South American Optical Market” and “How Technologies Drive Business: 3D Printing and Smart Glasses” will be held during the fair to keep industry professionals abreast of the latest market developments. On the second and third days of the fair (5-6 November), the 13^th Hong Kong Optometric Conference will bring together optometric experts from Hong Kong, Australia, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States to share their insights on topics ranging from the application of scientific research in clinical optometric care to dry eye and specialty contact lenses under the theme “Update on Anterior Ocular Disorders and Dry Eye Syndrome”. 

Coinciding with the Optical Fair, the HKTDC International Wine & Spirits Fair will be held on 5-7 November at the HKCEC. The two fairs will together attract buyers from around the world to Hong Kong, creating more business opportunities for the exhibitors.

Hong Kong eyewear manufacturers are renowned for their innovation, efficiency, and product quality. In the first nine months of 2015, Hong Kong’s total exports of spectacles, lens and frames increased 2.3 per cent year-on-year to over HK$11 billion. The US was the top export market, followed by the Chinese mainland, Italy and France. The three top markets account for nearly half of the total export value of Hong Kong eyewear products.

Fair Website
Hong Kong Optical Fair: http://hkopticalfair.hktdc.com/

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:

Joe Kainz     Tel: (852) 2584 4216           Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

About the HKTDC
A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and services providers. With more than 40 offices globally, including 13 on the Chinese mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to provide companies, particularly SMEs, with business opportunities on the mainland and in overseas markets, while providing information via trade publications, research reports and digital channels including the media room. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on  Google+  Twitter @hktdc  LinkedIn