Optics sector celebrates the start of the year with opti ’12 in Munich

The survey revealed that visitors were particularly pleased with the breadth and depth of the range on show at the fair More than 450 exhibitors from 27 countries and 23,000 visitors from Germany and abroad came together here to celebrate the best in vision. Almost 90 percent (2011: 84.1 percent) of the trade visitors surveyed rated opti '12 as "good to very good". The survey revealed that visitors were particularly pleased with the breadth and depth of the range on show at the fair. Of special interest this year were the sections on frames, optical lenses and contact lenses.   "With new exhibitors and designers from Germany and abroad – including ones from Japan and the US – opti has further underlined its fashion and design competence and broadened its international coverage," said Dieter Dohr, CEO and President of GHM Gesellschaft für Handwerksmessen mbH, the company that organises opti.   According to the survey overall the companies were pleased with the higher number of orders than last year. Also, noticeably, they were very upbeat about the increasing interest from opticians from abroad in their products.   New this year was optimus, a relaxing get-together in the Hofbräuhaus, probably the most famous beer hall in the world, located right in the heart of Munich. Here exhibitors and visitors had another opportunity to engage in conversation, this time outside the exhibition halls.   Also positive in his comments about the fair was Josef May, chairman of the sector association Spectaris: "We can all report it was a highly satisfying event. We are now thankfully entering the new year with a following wind from opti '12," said May.   The next opti takes place from 25 to 27 January 2013 in Munich.