OPTA
8.-10.4. 2022

This year, the International Fair for Eye Optics, Optometry and Ophthalmology OPTA 2015 will be held in March - precisely from 20 to 22 March. The new term has been decided by exhibitors themselves in a survey implemented by the Association of Czech Opticians and Optometrists (SCOO) in cooperation with Trade Fairs Brno. At the same time, SCOO co-organizes OPTA; the Optical Union of Slovakia and the Czech Contactology Society are partners of the trade fair.

The amount of exhibitors registered for this year's twentieth run of the trade fair is higher than last year by 16%. The organizers have also registered a dozen new companies not only from the Czech Republic but also from Poland, Hungary or Slovakia. It is safe to say that the vast majority of the big players in the field of optics present at the OPTA fair.

The hot topic of this year's OPTA is DESIGN & TREND - Richard Baštecký, President of SCOO, commented: "Current trend in optics and optometry is directly related to the current tendencies of "using" your vision - seeing more comfortably when working with a computer, a tablet or a smartphone  is exactly what we need today and that is why our professions and our industry go in this direction, whether they strive to provide better protection against blue-light hazard, make special glass to improve accommodation for demanding work with computer monitors, make perfect office glasses and many other technologies and special refraction methods related to them."

Seventeen exhibits have been registered into the TOP OPTA and TOP OPTA of the expert public competitions; however, only four exhibits will be awarded as best during the opening ceremony on 20 March at 11:00 AM at the Lectures Point. Mr Karel Žolnierčík has become the new chairman of the expert evaluation committee. And the hot topic of the fair - DESIGN & TREND - will surely be reflected in the competition for the best exhibits as well. "We found this to be an excellent topic because after some decline in the industry, the market has come back to life and we can get straight back to business with this. Design & trend comprises not only glasses and sunglasses, but the whole store design, display window arrangement, signmaking and electronic support via newsletters or Facebook," Karel Žolnierčík adds. The TOP OPTA of the expert public award is being selected by expert visitors themselves; they can keep submitting their votes until 11 o'clock on Sunday. The award will be announced directly at the winner's stand at 12:00.

The expert and supporting programme will also include e.g. fashion shows of brands Tommy Hilfiger, Max Mara, Carrera and others. The Lectures Point will host discussions on expert topics from the industry, but also e.g. on the application of 3D printing in production of eyeglass frames. The hot topic DESIGN & TREND will also be highlighted here - we cooperated with professional schools to prepare a competition for window dressers. There are nine display windows located around the Lectures Point where various arrangements of eyeglass frames are presented. We believe they will make good inspiration for display windows for optics stores of our expert visitors who may also vote for the best arrangement.

Naturally, this year cannot go without the popular Styling Point. In cooperation with Mary Kay, we will offer a package "OPTA  Face 2015" to our female visitors; the package contains not only theoretical advice on taking care of complexion and make-up, but also practical examples including hairstyling plus a before-and-after-make-up photo. The lady with the best and most striking transformation will be awarded with cosmetics worth 2,000 CZK.

The Brno Exhibition Centre will be open to visitors on Friday and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM and on Sunday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Visitors may take advantage of our online registration which offers a possibility of a ticket for 130 CZK. Tickets purchased at the trade fairs will cost 300 CZK. The closest entrance to Hall B is through Hall E; the entrance at the Main Gate near the public transport stops will also be open. Parking places are available in Expoparking or at parking lots around the Exhibition Centre. Upon entering the Exhibition Centre, each visitor will obtain a catalogue with the Hall map so that finding "their favourite" exhibitors will only take a minute.