Silmo has cancelled its 2020 Paris fair, scheduled for 2-5 October, due to uncertainty and concerns about the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite hoping the fair would continue right up until early July, a conclusive decision had to be made as registered exhibitors were about to make final payments and visitors were beginning to book travel plans, said Amélie Morel, Silmo president. “In the absence of immediate visibility, the Silmo board met with its partner Comexposium and took the unfortunate decision to cancel the Silmo 2020 Paris event. We extend our thanks to the 688 registered exhibitors who demonstrated great entrepreneurial courage by deciding to maintain their participation in Silmo 2020, despite the crisis we are going through.”
In keeping with the Silmo spirit, organisers will host a series of smaller events for opticians and optometrists called, Silmo Hors les Murs (Silmo Outside the Walls), starting in early October in Paris, and repeated every Monday through October and November in different European cities.
The 2020 Silmo d’Or awards will also go ahead, while Silmo Next, a showcase for creation and innovation, will present a summary of its work over the last two years into the future of the sector, later this year, said organisers. “We assure you that this is an ‘extra-ordinary’ plan for the 2020 edition.”
The 2021 Silmo fair will be held from 24 to 27 September 2021.
