The ophthalmic optics industry met up once more at INTERLOOK in Messe Dortmund on 11 and 12 February 2023, with trade visitors able to browse a broad and interesting range of the latest trends and product highlights. Decked out in a new, fresh design, INTERLOOK proved a real hit with everyone at the venue, serving up superb keynote talks, an exclusive relaxing lounge complete with free catering and a special show featuring the product highlights of 2023. Everyone is already looking forward to the next INTERLOOK on 20 and 21 January 2024.

Dortmund, 20 February 2023 – The slogan at INTERLOOK 2023 was 'The right thing for all tastes'. Exhibitors products from over 200 brands covered the classic segments such as frames and lenses, and also a host of other specialist areas of the ophthalmic optics industry such as skills training, medical equipment, marketing and shop fitting. In addition, a wide-ranging supporting programme provided around 900 visitors from different regions of northern and western Germany with inspiration, networking opportunities and interesting facts to aid their own business success.

New concept and new hall layout well received

All eyes on you: In the section joining Halls 1 and 2, exhibitors had the opportunity to showcase their latest models and latest fashions in the New Products & Top Models zone, gaining 'eyetime' with all visitors who, in turn, obtained an overview of what's available, and gathered inspiration for their businesses. The new Buyers' Lounge with its catering was also very popular with visitors as a place to retreat from the hustle and bustle at any point during the show, and engage with their colleagues in the industry. Another real eye-catcher this year was the new INTERLOOK ARENA in Hall 2 offering opticians interesting ideas for their business success in the form of short keynote talks lasting 15 to 20 minutes each. A 360-degree stage enabled visitors to look on from all corners of the hall or use one of the seating areas to follow experts as they gave short talks on matters such as delighting customers, search engine optimisation and advisory skills. Nicolas Neuhaus, Managing Director of GEORGE GINA & LUCY, spoke for many when he summed up his feelings, saying, “The new concept of the INTERLOOK ARENA is lovely – really engaging – and should definitely be retained.” Ingo Kemmer, Managing Director of the show's partner optikernetz.de and a speaker in the INTERLOOK ARENA, also appreciated the bigger range of products at the show: “We've been delighted to be part of INTERLOOK again this year. The new concept is a real winner in every respect, and optikernetz.de will be more than happy to be a partner to next year's show! We want to say a big thank-you to the organisers for the superb way things were organised, and wish them every success for INTERLOOK 2024.”

Superb location, excellent contacts and a real willingness to buy

Exhibitors had the opportunity to present their latest models at this central location in Dortmund in the heart of North Rhine Westphalia, benefiting from the large number of opticians in the Ruhr conurbation and across North Rhine Westphalia. “As a Bochum-based business, Messe Dortmund is our home turf, so to speak,” said Tanja Wagener, Managing Director of BO|44. “We've been coming along for 13 years now. INTERLOOK is a firm date in our event diaries. Of particular importance to us are the traditional opticians we meet here.” vonBogen also always enjoys coming to Dortmund for the show: “We've been exhibiting here for 20 years now and are more than happy with the way INTERLOOK 2023 went. The visitors were very much 'ready to buy', and our models were in great demand. This meant we not only gained a lot of new customers, but we also saw a good increase in revenue. Messe Dortmund is absolutely the right choice of location for this ophthalmic optics show. Life is lived abundantly in the Ruhr, and the region is home to many opticians.”

Christian Puzik, Managing Director of Stadtholz, stressed that, “In particular, the sheer density of opticians in the Ruhr makes Messe Dortmund a truly recommendable location. I was also very pleasantly surprised by the visitors' willingness to buy, and the purchasing power they brought with them.” A lot of people are optimistic about the future, especially now the COVID pandemic is over. “We're delighted with the fantastic influx of visitors. It's as if people have just been waiting for this. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, and the visitors are in a good mood,” said Jens Tomkowitz, Designer at Brand New Eyes. “It's always nice to meet our regular customers in person at INTERLOOK, to interact and cultivate our contacts.”

Speaking up for sustainability and social responsibility

The optics industry has been looking at sustainable, resource-saving materials and manufacturing processes for years. This was also evident in numerous brands and products at the venue. There was also a new charity area with exhibitors focusing on social projects. For example, the stage programme featured Mehrblick presenting on “Helping visually impaired homeless reclaim their futures” and EinDollar Brille addressing how millions of people across the world can be given access to education and work with a simple pair of glasses. Having come with the aim of making the programmes better known, Karl Reinhard Fischer, head of the Rhine-Ruhr regional group of EinDollar Brille, was satisfied with the outcome: “We've come here to get attention and support for our 'one-dollar spectacles' project. There are 950 million people across the world without access to ophthalmic care – we want to change that, but it needs the support of our colleagues in the industry. At INTERLOOK, we were able to have a lot of good conversations, showing opticians how the one-dollar specs are produced, and arranging donation boxes.”

The show's organisers are once again planning a packed supporting programme for the next ophthalmic optics show with an eye to optimising business success and giving the best possible trade show experience.

The next INTERLOOK will be held at Messe Dortmund on 20 and 21 January 2024.

All the latest key information, updates and developments are available 24/7 at the show's website, on Instagram and LinkedIn , or directly via Newsletter. In addition, the new online platform offers exciting insights into the exhibitors, their product highlights and company news, as well as interesting specialist articles on the optics industry.

INTERLOOK 2023 – what partners & exhibitors had to say

Ingo Kemmer, Managing Director of optikernetz.de

“We've been delighted to be part of INTERLOOK again this year. The new concept is a real winner in every respect, and optikernetz.de will be more than happy to be a partner to next year's show! We want to say a big thank-you to the organisers for the superb way things were organised, and wish them every success for INTERLOOK 2024.”

Tanja Wagener, Managing Director of BO|44

“As a Bochum-based business, Messe Dortmund is our home turf, so to speak. We've been coming along for 13 years now. INTERLOOK is a firm date in our event diaries. Of particular importance to us are the traditional opticians we meet here.”

Jens Tomkowitz, Designer at Brand New Eyes

“We've been able to have many good discussions with our regular customers at INTERLOOK 2023, and we've also made a lot of new contacts. “It's always nice to meet our regular customers in person at INTERLOOK, to interact and cultivate our contacts. “We're delighted with the fantastic influx of visitors. It's as if people have just been waiting for this. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal, and the visitors are in a good mood.”

Kay Stamer, Sales Manager and senior executive at spectacle insurer Brillenversicherung Deutschland

“The design and central positioning of the INTERLOOK ARENA stage are really great. There was a large audience. Once again, demand at our stand was also higher, especially following our presentation. Sunday in particular was very busy. INTERLOOK is where you meet a cross-section of the ophthalmic optics industry, and Messe Dortmund's super-accessible location means you get to meet a lot of interested opticians. That's just the way it should be. INTERLOOK 2023 was really well organised too. The arrangements went flawlessly, and you could count on getting a fast, professional response to any concerns.”

Bogdan Bauer, Sales Manager at Dek Optica

“It was a great opportunity to learn a lot about the German market. There were many interested customers at INTERLOOK 2023. Especially our frames and the classic models were in demand. We are looking forward to coming back.”

Karl Reinhard Fischer, Head of Rhine-Ruhr Regional Group of EinDollar Brille

“We've come here to get attention and support for our 'one-dollar spectacles' project. There are 950 million people across the world without access to ophthalmic care – we want to change that, but it needs the support of our colleagues in the industry. At INTERLOOK, we were able to have a lot of good conversations, showing opticians how the one-dollar specs are produced, and arranging donation boxes. This way, we've managed to raise awareness of our programme."

Raphael Büsser, Co-Founder & Member of Management at EINSTOFFEN

“The show's been great fun for us, and we had very good customer contacts.

I'm delighted with how the organisers have got things off to such a great start after the difficult times during COVID.”

Nicolas Neuhaus, Managing Director of GEORGE GINA & LUCY

“INTERLOOK 2023 was a great place to present our new brand. Indeed, the change in our collection was not really known in North Rhine Westphalia before the show. The new concept of the INTERLOOK ARENA is lovely – really engaging – and should definitely be retained. With the Buyers' Lounge, the show caters even more to the needs of the visitors. That goes down very well.”

Andreas Pellender, Sales Representative at IVKOPAL

“The stand build went really well. The location of Messe Dortmund is also great. We were surprised by the large number of visitors on Sunday. Many interested customers came to us. The main focus was on our children's spectacles, but the sports glasses were also in great demand. We'll be back, and we're already looking forward to all the contacts we can make and maintain here, and all the visitors and colleagues we get to meet.”

Daniel Hilgers, Medical Product Consultant at OCULUS Optical Devices

“We're very satisfied. In the past two days, we've been able to hold high-quality discussions and strike deals with people. We'll definitely be back next year and are already looking forward to engaging with customers and potential new ones.”

Sabine Dröge, Lecturer at OPTONIA Technical College

“The timing – at the beginning of the year – is perfect for us. The new concept was also very well received. The Buyers' Lounge was a good contact venue for everyone, and the food vouchers for visitors went down extremely well. Also, the INTERLOOK ARENA programme was really good. We've made a lot of contacts here at the show and have gained potential customers. You always meet familiar faces here. INTERLOOK is just like a big family reunion. You know the other exhibitors, and the exhibition centre team takes care of all concerns.”

Jan Otten, International Key Account Manager at Prague Eyewear

“There were many spontaneous purchases, conversations with regular customers and with new customers. The value for money we offer is highly appreciated by our customers. What impressed me is the direction in which fashions moving in Germany. Our coloured glasses were particularly in demand. INTERLOOK 2023 has enabled us to observe this development. What is the saying here? Dare to use colour. The visitors at INTERLOOK 2023 were very daring, and that's something we're particularly happy about.”

Christian Puzik, Managing Director of Stadtholz

“In particular, the sheer density of opticians in the Ruhr makes Messe Dortmund a truly recommendable location. I was also very pleasantly surprised by the visitors' willingness to buy, and the purchasing power they brought with them. Our wooden specs were in great demand, and rimless glasses as well."

Dieter Kaiser, Sales Agency, vonBogen

“We've been exhibiting here for 20 years now and are more than happy with the way INTERLOOK 2023 went. The visitors were very much 'ready to buy', and our models were in great demand. This meant we not only gained a lot of new customers, but we also saw a good increase in revenue. Messe Dortmund is absolutely the right choice of location for this ophthalmic optics show. Life is lived abundantly in the Ruhr, and the region is home to many opticians.”

Thomas Burow, Head of Development, Marketing & Sales at Walter Binde

“Thanks to the proximity of our company to Messe Dortmund, we meet many potential customers here quickly and easily, and over a very short space of time. Our narrow frames, a niche product, are particularly in demand here. And our new collection also went very well. So we're looking forward to being back next year.”

EXHIBITION AT A GLANCE

INTERLOOK – OPHTHALMIC OPTICS TRADE SHOW

The eyes have it – INTERLOOK gives opticians and retailers a great opportunity to share insights and mingle informally. Its compact size presents visitors with an efficient overview of key trends, ideas and innovations in ophthalmic optics, making it easy to reach important decisions without unnecessary delay. Trade visitors are able to order the latest eye wear collections and accessories, and share information on product innovations and fashion trends in the industry. Among the hallmarks of INTERLOOK are insights into the latest product developments and optical diagnostic devices as well as ideas and suggestions for great retail marketing and building customer loyalty. Trade visitors can also look forward to an exciting stage programme featuring short keynote talks by industry experts in the INTERLOOK Arena, and also the Buyers' Lounge – a haven of peace and quiet with exclusive catering – and the attractive 'New Products & Top Models' exhibition area featuring the latest frames, lenses and accessories on offer from exhibitors.

NEXT DATE:

20 – 21 January 2024

EVENT ORGANISER:

Messe Dortmund GmbH

PARTNER:

optikernetz.de GmbH

TARGET GROUPS:

Opticians, specialist and general retailers

HALLS OCCUPIED:

Halls 1 & 2

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS:

• INTERLOOK ARENA and the supporting programme
• Buyers‘ Lounge
• 'New Products & Top Models' special exhibition feature
• Job Wall