The second Silmo Sydney was a quieter affair than its inaugural unveiling last year, with few of the major equipment and frames companies that were exhibiting the weekend prior, in Melbourne at its rival ODMA’s O-Show.

That said, this year’s show still featured some eye-catching stands. One was the stunning, more avant garde frame offerings from Patrick Quinn, owner-operator of Perth-based optometrists Blink 138.

Patrick and his son James, both dispensing opticians, have been making their own specs for about eight years before deciding to set up Quinn Eyewear and introduce them to others. The pair unveiled their collection at Vision Expo East in New York in March and, despite being in the boondocks of the show on a shared stand, quickly snapped up three American accounts. Silmo Sydney was their second show and father and son said they were both excited and terrified, but also pleasantly surprised at the interest they’d received.

According to the show’s organisers, Expertise Events, despite the quieter turnout, other exhibitors were also pleased with event sales. “Came with zero expectations, happily surprised,” Sam Tomashover from Mattisse Handpainted Eyewear told Expertise. “An incredible success. Saw qualified and quality buyers,” added Mark Blackadder from MYM Group.

The show was supported by its far larger European namesake through the presence of Silmo Paris director Eric Lenoir who flew into Sydney for just a few days to be there.

“Silmo Sydney is proud to be a ‘buyer-led’ show,” said Gary Fitz-Roy, managing director of Expertise Events. “The market has evolved – it’s no longer about the volume of visitors, it’s about delivering the right audience. Having a show that has a strong frame focus is important as they are constantly changing and evolving with market trends and are a major contributor to optometry practices’ and retail outlets’ profitability.” 

Silmo Sydney will return to Sydney’s International Convention Centre from 5-7 July 2019, two weeks ahead of its larger Australasian rival, ODMA’s new O=MEGA19 in Melbourne from 19-21 July 2019.