VISION Expo is the most comprehensive and premier trade show and conference event for the optical industry. This trade-only event attracts a broad range of professional attendees across many aspects of the industry, including optometrists and ophthalmologists, opticians, optical practice managers, and buyers and suppliers from the optical industry.
In addition to the above, the event brings together eye care professionals, and manufacturers of eyewear, lenses, and related technology. VISION Expo combines education, fashion, and innovation in a single platform.
Approaching 2026, the format of the event is evolving. The event will go from two events in New York City and Las Vegas to an annual event rotating each year to major US cities.
This change is not just about providing a different experience and access for the entire optical community, but this new format is aimed to create a larger and more valuable event capable of bringing the entire optical community together more efficiently.
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History of Vision Expo
Historically, Vision Expo has been offered as two separate editions each year and held in the spring and fall. The editions are Vision Expo East in New York City and Vision Expo West in Las Vegas.
The Eastern edition of Vision Expo was first established in 1986 at the Javits Center in New York City. As the fashion and business capital of the East Coast for decades, New York appropriately hosted and easily advertised the latest fashion trends and innovations in eyewear.
In 1988, Vision Expo West was created as an event in Las Vegas to serve attendees in the West. Las Vegas is recognized for trade shows and conventions, and therefore is a good location for an audience in the western United States.
Creating the division of the two events was merely a value-add to allow a geographically diverse attendee base to experience two events (and events for education, business, and networking) in two distinct regions.
Over time, both have evolved into central pillars of the optical industry. Each has built its own essence while serving the main objective of Vision Expo: providing accredited education and showcasing cutting-edge products, while also promotional growth in the industry itself.
Since Vision Expo was initiated, its education program has grown tremendously, offering hundreds of hours of continuing education led by professionals. This serves as a significant platform for eye care professionals to build their own expertise and continuing education experience.
In addition, Vision Expo is the meeting and gathering place for optical buyers to see the most recent fashions in eyewear design from the smaller independent brands to the largest manufacturers in the industry, including EssilorLuxottica and Marchon Eyewear.
Event Activities and Content
Vision Expo provides trade show, education, and networking opportunities for the entire optical industry.
Product Demonstration
The event has thousands of items from the best manufacturers and independent brands. Guests attending this experience will see the newest fashions in eyeglasses, contact lenses, diagnostic instruments, digital technology, and practice management. You will also find interesting items at the Innovation Stage, where you will see new products and new innovations.
Continuing Education (CE)
The educational program at Vision Expo is extensive. It offers hundreds of hours of accredited education designed to enhance the skills of eye care professionals. Sessions explore various topics from managing myopia, to should you expand, to planning for dry eye treatment, to implementing artificial intelligence technology in your clinical practice.
The content in the educational program not only informs but also makes the audience aware of updates concerning the most current technology, developments in the optical industry, and everything related to optical products.
Networking and Community
Vision Expo is a network center and community where professionals can network with like professionals. This event has promoted a place for ophthalmologists, opticians, and industry to have a place to come together to share innovative ideas and current trends, build relationships, and enhance their network.
Schedule and Location
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Vision Expo East was typically held in the spring in New York City, while Vision Expo West was usually held in the fall in Las Vegas. Vision Expo West 2025 was held on September 17–20 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas. This edition marked the final standalone “West” event before Vision Expo transitions to a single unified annual show beginning in 2026. The 2025 show delivered its full program of education, product launches, and networking while serving as the last event under the traditional East/West format.
Beginning in 2026, Vision Expo will merge two separate events into one event each year in order to mix the best aspects of both events to elevate the tradeshow within the industry.
The goal and plan is to rotate the event location throughout the country, with the first location being Orlando, Florida. In 2026, Vision Expo will be held March 11-14, 2026 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida.
In 2027, the show will be held at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada from March 10-13 and in 2028 the event will again be held in New York City, New York, at the Javits Center from March 29- April 1.