This year’s Silmo, the quintessential European optical show, promises to be a dynamic one, say organisers, with 92% of objectives achieved five months prior to the show’s opening and more than 53,900 attendees expected to visit more than 1,650 exhibitors from across the world.

Silmo Next’s hackathon

At the heart of the fair is Silmo Next, the show’s futurology space with themed lectures on markets and innovative business corners focused on anticipated technological changes.

This year’s Silmo Next includes the world première of the Silmo Hackathon, a 24-hour, non-stop team event, where international multidisciplinary teams of five people attempt to outdo each other imagining tomorrow’s retail world. Open to professionals of vision, distribution, merchandising, design, social sciences, marketing and production, this collaborative event is expected to provide stimulating answers to what lies ahead.

This year also sees the return of “La Sélection”, an exclusive panorama of the exhibitors’ trendy products, presented and showcased in collaboration with the digital magazine Trends by Silmo.

Silmo D’Or celebrates 25 years

The Silmo D’Or Awards have been recognising the best in creation and innovation since 1994. In 2019, these eagerly-awaited awards will celebrate their 25^th anniversary, with all the glitter and glamour one would expect from Silmo to mark this milestone, and a look back and forward at the technological innovations and style which have driven eyewear trends over the years.

Silmo Academy and research award

The educational part of the fair, the Silmo Academy will be held on Sunday 29 September with the theme, refraction. While international vision scientists will once again have the opportunity to win a €10,000 grant to support their research work.

Silmo Match

A successful networking programme, Silmo Match helps attendees schedule meetings; discover innovations and new products; search, according to special criteria; receive personalised suggestions; and discuss various subjects with professionals.

This year, Silmo runs from Friday 27 September to Monday 30 September. For more on all things Silmo 2019, visit: https://en.silmoparis.com/.