Hong Kong Optical Fair Opens with Record Exhibitor Numbers

Hong Kong, Nov 7, 2012 - (ACN Newswire) - The 20th HKTDC Hong Kong Optical Fair opened today with more than 620 exhibitors

from 22 countries and regions participating, a new exhibitor record. The fair continues through 9 November at the Hong Kong

Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

Among the exhibitors is first-time participant Turkey, while France has set up its first country pavilion at the fair. Three

new product zones - Diagnostic Instruments, Eyewear Accessories and Sporting & Professional Eyewear - showcase the latest

cutting-edge products in those sectors.

Nearly 70 buying missions have been organised, including more than 3,800 buyers from 54 countries and regions. Among them

are major eyewear companies such as Leopoldo Godemberg SA from Argentina, Uniglass Ltd from Bulgaria, Coastal Contacts Inc

from Canada, Krys Group from France, Rodenstock GmbH and Silhouette International Schmied AG from Germany, Vision Express

from India, Carl Zeiss Vision Sunlens Luxottica from Italy, and SC Opticris Optica SRL from Romania.

Brand Name Gallery

The fair's Brand Name Gallery is showcasing 166 brands from 20 countries and regions, its largest to date. Among the major

brands exhibiting are Guy Laroche, Hummer, ic! berlin, Issey Miyake, Karen Millen, TD Tom Davies and Vera Wang. Four eyewear

parades will be held during the three-day event.

All winning and finalist pieces of the 14th Hong Kong Eyewear Design Competition are on display at the Wine Cellar, Hall 1B,

during the fair. Under the theme "Timeless," the competition, organised by the Hong Kong Travel Development Council (HKTDC)

and the Hong Kong Optical Manufacturers Association, saw more than 200 entries this year. Eleven prizes were awarded to nine

local designers. Buyers can also vote onsite to choose the winner for the "The Latest Look Award."

Focus on Electronic Eyewear

The 10th Hong Kong Optometric Conference takes place tomorrow under the theme "New Frontiers in Ophthalmic Dispensing." The

latest trends and technology in prescription eyewear will be discussed, with featured speakers from Germany, the United

Kingdom, the United States and Hong Kong.

They include the US's Dr Richard Clompus, Vice President, Global Professional Affairs, PixelOptics, who will introduce the

company's innovative electronically focusing eyewear.

Several seminars will cover such topics as the retail outlook in optical products and European fashion eyewear. Experts from

Italy and France will be featured, with market research company GfK Italy spotlighting the latest trends in eyewear and

fashion design. Interested industry professionals can register online at our website.

Hong Kong is the world's third-largest exporter of optical goods, after Italy and the US. In the first nine months of 2012,

Hong Kong's exports of spectacles, lenses and frames amounted to HK$11 billion (US$1.4 billion). Its top export markets for

optical goods are the US, the Chinese mainland, Italy, France and Germany.

Fair Websites
HKTDC Hong Kong Optical Fair:www.hktdc.com/hkopticalfair

About HKTDC

A statutory body established in 1966, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is the international marketing arm for

Hong Kong-based traders, manufacturers and service providers. With more than 40 global offices, including 11 on the Chinese

mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a platform for doing business with China and throughout Asia. The HKTDC also

organises trade fairs and business missions to connect companies with opportunities in Hong Kong and on the mainland, while

providing information via trade publications, research reports and online. For more information, please visit:www.hktdc.com

. Follow us on Twitter @HKTDC.