New Location, Show Experience and Brand Identity Emphasizing Innovation, Fashion and Community

Norwalk, CT (November 21, 2024) – Registration is now open for Vision Expo East 2025, the leading trade-only conference and exhibition for eyecare and eyewear professionals. Co-owned by RX and The Vision Council, this highly anticipated event will take place from February 19–22, 2025, at its new location: the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, Florida.

Vision Expo East 2025 will debut in Florida with a fresh brand identity that emphasizes innovation, fashion and community, hallmarks that have distinguished Vision Expo from other optical events since its inception. Built for the industry, by the industry, the comprehensive event balances educational programming and exhibitions, offering attendees access to over 270 hours of accredited continuing education, and 300+ exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge eyewear, frames, technology, lenses, practice management solutions and more.

“We have a renewed vision for Vision Expo,” says Mitch Barkley, Vice President of Trade Shows at The Vision Council. “As we continue to invest in the show’s growth, we are listening to the needs of each attendee category to increase overall satisfaction with the event offering and to leave our community with memories to guarantee the next Expo will not be missed. Vision Expo East will feature an exciting mix of show floor and new evening events offsite designed to relationship build and, of course, have fun! "

New Show Features

The event relocation from New York City to Orlando will encourage community building through a better-connected, centralized experience, and distinct enhancements across programming, exhibit spaces and events. The inaugural show at the state-of-the-art OCCC will bring about a more organized, quality experience for both exhibitors and attendees.

Designed to highlight the unique areas of the optical industry, the new show floor is organized into distinct sections: Eyewear, Eyecare, Independent Design, and Tech and Innovation

Fostering community and discovery across eyewear and eyecare, new show floor activations and expanded areas include:

• Main Stage, featuring daily speaker sessions, panel discussions and fashion shows
• Platinum Club, for VIPS including million-dollar practices, media and influencers
• OptiCon Hub, presented by the United Opticians Association
• Resource Center, featuring The Vision Council in collaboration with associations and charitable partners
• OTC Showcase, featuring the industry’s most desired over-the-counter products
• Indie Lab Speakeasy, a meeting place with a twist sponsored by leading independent laboratories
• NOW Trend Showcase, with a new design and expanded showcase of categories and awards
• Flaunt the Frame Fashion Show, a daily showcase of select frames from the NOW Trends Showcase
• Dining and Drinks, new V Bar hours, curated lounges, cafes, food trucks, and more

Off the show floor, attendees and exhibitors can mix and mingle with the optical industry each evening at the following events:

• Opening Night Party, multi-venue featuring a variety of talent including DJs, country music, and a live rock band
• Friday Pool Party, live entertainment and surprises for a tropical oasis
• Daily Happy Hours, poolside networking events

New Education Offerings

Vision Expo East 2025 offers an unmatched lineup of new educational sessions led by industry leaders, with the program kicking off on February 19, one day before the exhibit hall opens and continuing until February 22. The accredited curriculum includes OptiCon @ Vision Expo, presented by the United Opticians Association (UOA), providing opticians with a chance to earn valuable credits while learning about the latest advancements in eye care.

Optical professionals can hear firsthand from leading experts across optometry, opticianry and business as they share clinical experiences with real-world examples and accreditation opportunities. With a broad range of subjects, Vision Expo’s sessions offer education for all levels of the business.

We’re All New Here! Plan Travel and Claim Savings

The official hotel block is now open, in partnership with Vision Expo’s official provider Connections Housing. Limited rooms are left at directly adjacent hotels, but complimentary shuttles will be provided to other hotel locations. Block reservation deadline is January 19, 2025.

Attendees can enjoy travel deals and enhance their Florida experience with savings on fun! Vision Expo registered attendees traveling within the Miami – Orlando area can receive a 50 percent discount on Brightline SMART Business Class travel, with prices varying by destination.

The industry will also benefit from Vision Expo’s partners at Visit Orlando for planning concierge services, sample itineraries, restaurant discounts, conference theme park rates, and more. Visit the travel site for more information on all the exciting features that make Orlando the #1 meetings destination in the country.

Register Today

Beth Casson, Group Vice President at RX, notes, “Vision Expo East 2025 is a culmination of everything that is new, redefining the Expo of the future. The transformation of the event logo, streamlined show design, enhanced programming, and a variety of new features for a vibrant experience, further reflects a commitment to innovation and fashion, while also fostering a stronger community among optical professionals.”

Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn and experience all the best that Vision Expo East 2025 has to offer. Register today to be part of the pillar gathering of the eyecare and eyewear community! 

The comprehensive event programing extends beyond show hours with exciting parties and networking opportunities off the show floor:

• Opening Night Party on Thursday, February 20, beginning at 9 p.m. taking over multiple bars within The Pointe area and entertainment from two DJs, live country music and outdoor concert by the Bad Habits.
• Optical Women's Association Champagne Breakfast: Celebrating Women in Leadership celebrating our 2025 OWA award recipients.
• 17th annual Vision Monday Summit at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, dive deep into how collaboration drives us forward. Shuttle service available following the OWA breakfast.
• Prevent Blindness Person of Vision Dinner, celebrate Dr. Purcell and join us for a night to remember while supporting Prevent Blindness and its sight-saving programs on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
• Tropical Cocktail Reception on Friday, February 21 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., poolside at the Rosen Centre offering live entertainment in a tropical oasis setting.

"We have exciting new ways for the optical industry to connect and celebrate at Vision Expo East 2025 in Orlando," said Mitch Barkley, Vice President of Trade Shows at The Vision Council. "The enhanced show floor and expanded programming reflect our commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for all attendees."

Vision Expo East 2025 will provide complimentary shuttle service to host hotels and event venues. Registered participants can also save 50% on Brightline rail travel between Miami and Orlando (with multiple South Florida stops) for February 18-23, 2025, visit here to learn more.

To make the most of planning for Vision Expo East, attendees can register and explore exhibitors, events, course lists and more by visiting east.visionexpo.com.

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Media Contacts:

Paige Heady

Marketing Director

[email protected]

Jen Cullen Williams

Public Relations

[email protected]

About Vision Expo

Vision Expo East and West are trade-only conferences and exhibitions for eyecare and eyewear presented by co-owners RX and The Vision Council. Vision Expo is the most comprehensive event for the entire Vision community, built for the industry by the industry. The only balance of conference and exhibition to learn from industry pioneers, explore cutting-edge advancements, and gain a new perspective on the future of eyewear. In the Vision Expo Exhibit Hall, eyecare providers can discover fashion trends, interact with new technologies and access innovative products and services. The Vision Expo education program is driven by the profession, offering content of the highest quality and relevance to enhance overall patient care. For more information on Vision Expo, visit  visionexpo.com and follow Vision Expo’s social media channels, Facebook, Twitter , Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn . Vision Expo images can be found HERE and new logo can be found HERE

About The Vision Council

The Vision Council brings the power of sight to all through education, government relations, research and technical standards. A leading advocate for the optical industry, the association positions its members to deliver the eyewear and eyecare people need to look and feel their best. Vital to health, independence and safety, better vision leads to better lives. Learn more at thevisioncouncil.org. 

About RX

RX is a global leader in events and exhibitions, leveraging industry expertise, data, and technology to build businesses for individuals, communities, and organizations. With a presence in 25 countries across 42 industry sectors, RX hosts approximately 350 events annually. RX is committed to creating an inclusive work environment for all our people. RX empowers businesses to thrive by leveraging data-driven insights and digital solutions. RX is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information, visit  www.rxglobal.com.