Future blueprint: Optometry Australia combines with SILMO

Australia’s peak optometric body has placed an phasis on long-term forward thinking, and OA CEO Ms Lyn Brodie cited the trade fair’s strong focus on optometry innovation and future planning as the main drivers behind the decision.“SILMO Sydney 2018 will feature a full-scale, interactive practice of the future, as well as the latest digital optometry equipment, which supports Optometry Australia’s goal to gain deeper insights into erging trends that may impact, and shape, the local optometric sector,” she said.{{quote-a:r-w:400-I:2-Q:“The outcomes of these sessions will feed into the creation of a multi-decade strategy that will become the blueprint for a progressive Australian optometry sector.”-WHO:Lyn Brodie, OA CEO}}“With support from SILMO Sydney 2017, we will invite delegates, trade participants and key stakeholders from government, acadia and allied health to join us at workshops to discuss how they believe the sector, and consumer interaction with optometrists, will evolve over the next two decades.“The outcomes of these sessions will feed into the creation of a multi-decade strategy that will become the blueprint for a progressive Australian optometry sector,” Brodie added.Mr Gary Fitz-Roy, managing director of Expertise Events, the event organiser, said he was delighted to partner with OA for SILMO 2018.“Both organisations are committed to ensuring that optometry continues to strengthen its position as a core Australian healthcare provider,” Fitz-Roy said.“Optometry Australia because they are the peak professional body for optometrists and for us, because we delivered SILMO Sydney 2017, a flagship of the SILMO franchise which is the world’s largest and leading optics and eyewear trade fair.”SILMO was founded in 1967 and is held annually in Paris, Istanbul and Bangkok. The fair was staged in Australia for the first time in 2017 and attracted 2,264 visitors over three days, despite an injunction and protracted legal challenge from ODMA disrupting operations in the lead up to the show.Overall, 70% of exhibitors described SILMO 2017 as ‘very good or excellent’ and 75% indicated they were likely to return this year. The event will be held this year at the International Convention Centre in Sydney from July 20–22.