Strategy with Vision

The sun shone brightly with cloudless skies as Paris-Villepinte, opened its doors for the second time, to Silmo: Mondial de l’optique PARIS, Thursday 29^th September to Sunday 2^nd October 2011.

According to the show organisers there were 900 exhibitors and more than 1,400 brands at Silmo 2011. The show has announced that 34, 671 visitors passed through the gates – up 5% on 2010. The number of French professionals visiting the show represents 44% of the visitors and this figure was up 4.7%, on 2010. The show got off to a brisk start on Thursday, Saturday started more slowly and the halls were busy throughout the show. The Halls were still crowded at 3pm on Sunday afternoon – despite the glorious weather outside.

There can be no question that Villepinte is a better environment than Porte de Versailles. But, being close to Charles de Gaulle airport – still has average journey times of 1 hour to Paris centre. For an unfortunate few – with an RER train stuck in a tunnel for 2 hours one evening – this was probably enough to finish-off even the hardiest and most seasoned of trade show exhibitors. Record temperatures were enjoyed at Silmo 2011, and suffered by those exhibitors close to the large windows that under normal weather conditions, would be a feature of the showground. Fortunately for all, there were no transport strikes, this year, which was a relief to visitors and exhibitors alike.

Luxottica, Safilo, Alison, Marcolin and De Rigo, did not attend Silmo 2011. The show also coincided with Paris fashion week, and clashed with the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. So, hotels were more expensive (and difficult to find) on the Thursday and Friday of the show, and the New Year, may have deterred some visitors.

Some of the large machinery companies, were also absent from the show, and there were only a handful of contact lens companies exhibiting. However, the show did attract new exhibitors from various fields, there were new technologies, new hinges, new materials on display and notable frame launches and new licences with first collections.

As per usual, there was an ongoing education programme, which continued throughout the show – televised on Acuité – and the “Meilleurs Ouvriers de France” again showed their technical excellence.

The show newspaper, Silmo Daily appeared only twice in 4 days, and to some extent may have been supplemented with the new Silmo magazine “World of Optics”. After the show www.worldofoptics.net will apparently continue as a web portal for online news and a buyer’s guide. Silmo also introduced the “Daily Mo” – an electronic newspaper.

Silmo 2012

Thursday 4^th October – Sunday 7^th October

Parc des Exposition, Villepinte

silmoparis.com