The leading international eyewear show is back, with all its energy.
Great turnout on the first day of MIDO. Business, trends, fashion, and much more – awards, celebrities and many events, today through Monday 6 th at Fiera Milano Rho.
A must annual appointment for the entire eyewear sector, it is the leading international trade show in terms of number of exhibitors, preview of collections and, above all, the desire and opportunity to conduct business.
The first day of the event was marked by high energy and the desire to meet, to breathe once again the incredible atmosphere that only in-person interaction and exchange can generate.
The massive influx of visitors exceeded all expectations. They were surrounded by many engaging activities that animated the start of the 51st edition with visitors from 140 countries and just over 1,000 exhibitors.
An opening conference was held this morning – following welcome messages by MIDO President Giovanni Vitaloni, ITA [Italian Trade Agency] CEO and Managing director Roberto Luongo, Councilor for Economic Development and Labor Policies of the Municipality of Milan Alessia Cappello, and Fieramilano CEO and Managing Director Luca Palermo – to present the ANFAO Empowering Optical Women Leadership project in support of women in the eyewear industry. The meeting was moderated by journalist Barbara Serra, sponsored by Bellisario Foundation and organized in collaboration with SDA Bocconi.
The program was designed to establish a Gender Equality Observatory on leadership in the sector, by taking a ‘snapshot’ of the current situation, identify difficulties (including 'childcare' and 'elder care'), outline guidelines for a pilot project on women's empowerment training and promote an inclusive corporate culture.
The percentage of women in senior management positions in Italy is still limited. “The high rate of female employment in our sector does not adequately translate to managerial roles. A little higher than in other sectors in Italy, but surely not enough,” commented Giovanni Vitaloni, President of ANFAO and MIDO. “Apart from being a global Made in Italy excellence, we would also aspire to achieve excellence in policies of inclusion and gender equality, which are now part of the 2030 Agenda and the National Plan of Recovery and Resilience,” concluded Vitaloni.
Two round tables addressed these issues: the first on the theme of 'Women's Leadership', with the participation of managers from the eyewear sector, freelancers and entrepreneurs of other industries. The second round, focusing on 'Policies in support of women's leadership', was attended by politicians together with HR representatives from the sector.
EVENTS AND GUESTS
Today, the fair squares were also animated by flash mobs of the group of dancers led by the famous choreographer Giacomo Frassica. Guest of the day was also showgirl Melissa Satta. The OTTICLUB (Pavilion 3) round table “How to define the look and personality through glasses. Styling as an opportunity for opticians” curated by Nick Cerioni, Creative Director and famous stylist behind the image of famous artists such as the Måneskin, Jovanotti, Laura Pausini, Pierfrancesco Favino, Achille Lauro, Orietta Berti and Gianni Morandi. The conference is part of OTTICLUB's How to? program of meetings on practical activities closely related to the everyday life of optical centers.
Great excitement for the photo set in Pavilion 1, next to the Press Village, where visitors and exhibitors could experience a real visual journey ‘inside’ the 2023 MIDO campaign, Frames. The set will be available tomorrow as well.
TOMORROW IS THE AWARDS DAY
Tomorrow, Sunday 5th, will be awards day: at 2 p.m. in the Fashion District square (Pavilion 1), the awards that MIDO gives every year to optical shops, exhibitors and, from this year, to companies in the sector will be presented: BeStore Award, Stand Up For Green and, for the first time, the CSE - Certified Sustainable Eyewear - award.
In order to stay up to date on MIDO news, visit www.mido.com and the official social channels Instagram (@mido_exhibition), Facebook (@MIDOExhibition), Twitter (@MIDOExhibition) and LinkedIn.