Vision Expo, organized by The Vision Council and RX, has opened submissions for the sixth annual 2027 NOW Awards. Independent designers, brands, and creators worldwide may enter free online until February 5, 2027, with product samples due by February 10. Finalists will be announced in late February, and winners honored on March 11 during Vision Expo 2027 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas. Categories include Best Optical and Sunglass (Independent/Licensed), Direct-to-Consumer, Emerging Designer/Brand, and Wearable Technology. A judging panel chaired by creator Nico Roseillier evaluates entries. At least one frame from each submitting brand is featured in the NOW Showcase on the show floor.
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness led the #LoveYourEyes campaign for World Sight Day 2026, which concluded on October 19. Optometry Giving Sight’s annual World Sight Day Challenge, now in its 20th year, ran from September 1 to October 31, engaging 154 practices, six companies, and seven schools across North America and beyond. EssilorLuxottica hosted regional clinics and screenings globally, while Alcon highlighted its Phaco Development Program, noting approximately 17 million procedures performed by trained professionals. CooperVision emphasized partnerships spanning over 85 countries. The Vision Council Foundation screened 1,309 children in Missouri, flagging 145 for potential vision issues. EyeCare4Kids marked its 25th anniversary with open houses in Utah and Las Vegas. These efforts precede the inaugural Global Summit for Eye Health scheduled for November 2, 2026, in Antigua and Barbuda.
The Vision Council has opened registration for its 2027 Executive Summit, scheduled for January 20-22 at La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas. The event targets optical industry executives with educational presentations, economic updates, and networking. Keynotes will cover business relationships, artificial intelligence, and regulatory affairs, while attendees receive a 2027 optical economic forecast. The summit theme is “Connections: The Skills Technology Cannot Replace.” A complete agenda and speaker lineup are pending future announcement. Optional pre-event activities include golf, pickleball, and the Cantina Challenge, featuring Texas trivia and guacamole lessons. Additional on-site activities comprise a nature walk and group yoga. Networking begins Wednesday afternoon, January 20.
The Vision Council has opened registration for its 2027 Executive Summit, scheduled for January 20–22, 2027, at La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas. The event targets optical industry executives with presentations on artificial intelligence, regulatory affairs, and economic forecasts, under the theme "Connections: The Skills Technology Cannot Replace." CEO Ashley Mills emphasized maintaining human relationships amid technological change. Member pricing is $1,500 for early bird registration by December 15, 2026, rising to $1,700 afterward; nonmembers pay $3,000. A spouse add-on for social events costs $750. Optional pre-event activities like golf and pickleball are priced separately. Attendees can secure hotel rooms at a group rate of $339 per night plus tax if booked by December 15, 2026. The full agenda and speaker lineup will be announced later.
The Vision Council has opened registration for its 2027 Executive Summit, scheduled for January 20–22, 2027, at La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas. The event targets optical industry executives with a theme focused on human connections in a digital age. Keynote speakers and panelists will discuss technology, AI, regulatory affairs, and economic forecasts, though the full agenda and speaker lineup remain to be announced later. Attendees can participate in networking activities and optional pre-event events like golf or pickleball. Pricing is $1,500 for members by December 15, 2026, rising to $1,700 afterward; nonmembers pay $3,000. A spouse add-on costs $750. Hotel reservations at a discounted rate of $339 per night plus tax must also be made by December 15, 2026.
The Vision Council and RX have opened free submissions for the sixth annual 2027 NOW Awards, welcoming eyewear designers and brands worldwide. Entries close on February 5, 2027, with product samples required by February 10. Finalists will be announced in late February, and winners will be honored during the NOW Awards ceremony on March 11 at Vision Expo 2027, held March 10–13 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas. A judging panel chaired by Nico Roseillier will evaluate entries across categories including Best Optical, Sunglass, Direct-to-Consumer, Emerging Designer, Wearable Technology, and NOW Design. Every submitting brand is guaranteed at least one frame display in the NOW Showcase on the show floor.
BusinessOutside hosted its eighth annual Eyecare Innovation Summit in Boulder, Colorado, from September 28–30, 2026. The invite-only event, produced with Sanitas Advisors, gathered 75 executives and founders from over 60 companies, including EssilorLuxottica, Alcon, and Kaiser Permanente. Six emerging innovators selected by Sanitas Advisors presented products such as hearing eyeglasses, captioning glasses, AI clinical assistants, and a presbyopia eye drop. Attendees participated in small working sessions, outdoor hikes, and discussions on industry trends like declining meeting attendance. Sponsors included Shamir, Advancing Eyecare, Newton, and FYidoctors. The summit aimed to foster trust and provide early market access through direct interaction between senior decision-makers and startup teams.
The Vision Council is accepting submissions for the sixth annual 2027 NOW Awards, open to eyewear designers and brands worldwide regardless of exhibition status. Entry is free, with deadlines set for February 5, 2027, for digital submissions and February 10 for physical samples. A judging panel representing design, retail, education, and fashion sectors will evaluate entries, chaired by Nico Roseillier, with the full roster announced in January. The competition features ten categories, including Best Optical, Sunglass, Direct-to-Consumer, Emerging Designer, and Wearable Technology. Finalists will be revealed in late February, and winners recognized on March 11 at Vision Expo 2027 in Las Vegas. All submitting brands guarantee one frame display in the NOW Showcase, while finalists receive additional promotional recognition through Vision Expo channels.
The Vision Council and RX have opened free submissions for the sixth annual 2027 NOW Awards, welcoming eyewear designers and brands worldwide. Entries close February 5, 2027, with product samples due by February 10. Finalists will be announced in late February, and winners honored on March 11 during the NOW Awards ceremony at Vision Expo 2027, held March 10–13 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas. Building on last year’s expansion beyond exhibitors, the competition is open to established houses, licensed collections, and independent designers. Each submitting brand guarantees at least one frame in the NOW Showcase. Judging panels represent design, retail, education, and fashion, chaired by Nico Roseillier. Award categories include Best Optical, Sunglass, Direct-to-Consumer, Emerging Designer, and Wearable Technology.
The Vision Council and RX have opened free submissions for the sixth annual 2027 NOW Awards, expanding eligibility to eyewear designers and brands worldwide. Entries close February 5, 2027, with product samples due by February 10. Finalists will be announced in late February, and winners will be honored during a ceremony on March 11 at Vision Expo 2027, held March 10–13 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas. The competition features categories including Best Optical, Sunglass, Direct-to-Consumer, Emerging Designer, and Wearable Technology. A judging panel chaired by Nico Roseillier will evaluate entries, with the full panel scheduled for announcement in January. Every submitting brand is guaranteed at least one frame display in the NOW Showcase on the show floor.
Silmo Paris 2026 attracted 32,108 optical professionals from nearly 150 countries, featuring 950 exhibitors and 1,500 brands across an 86,000-square-foot space. Held September 25–28, the event emphasized innovation through the Silmo Next Futurology and Tech Village, showcasing smart glasses, AI, and predictive health technologies. A highlight was the first international hackathon for smart glasses health applications, where the Kimono assistant won top honors. The Trends Forum presented four design themes: FANCY, CHARISMA, ADRENALINE, and AURA. Andy Wolf received the Responsible Company Prize for reducing its acetate frame footprint by 53% between 2021 and 2024. Additionally, the 20/20 Europe Most Influential Women in Optical awards were held, honoring 26 industry leaders. Future events include Silmo Istanbul in November 2026 and Silmo Riyadh in April 2027.
The Vision Council Foundation, AccuWeather, and The Skin Cancer Foundation announced a collaboration on May 27, 2026, ahead of National Sunglasses Day on June 27. This marks the first joint effort among these organizations to promote comprehensive UV protection through sunglasses, sunscreen, and weather data. Citing 2025 Market inSights data, The Vision Council noted that over 37% of American adults do not regularly wear sunglasses, while The Skin Cancer Foundation highlighted skin cancer as the most common US cancer caused by UV radiation. AccuWeather provides an hour-by-hour UV Index and AccuLumen Brightness Index to support informed decisions. The partners will coordinate digital campaigns leading up to June 27. Free 2026 toolkits are currently available at thevisioncouncilfoundation.org/national-sunglasses-day for eyecare providers and consumers.
The Vision Council Foundation and the United Opticians Association (UOA) have partnered to advance UV safety awareness for National Sunglasses Day on June 27, 2026. This collaboration coincides with the UOA Leadership Conference in Chicago, Illinois, held June 25–27. The initiative aims to encourage year-round sunglasses use and highlight the role of opticians in eye health protection. According to The Vision Council, approximately 30 million pairs of plano sunglasses are sold annually through optical stores, representing about 10% of the market, yet more than 37% of U.S. adults lack adequate UV eye protection. Free educational toolkits, including social graphics and fact sheets, are available at thevisioncouncilfoundation.org/national-sunglasses-day. Consumers are invited to share photos using the hashtag #NationalSunglassesDay to spread awareness.
The Vision Council concluded its sold-out 2026 Lab Leadership Forum in Henderson, Nevada, from September 16–18, gathering over 200 optical laboratory leaders for networking and professional development. The agenda featured expert-led panels on lens design, equipment, and lab management systems, alongside updates on market research and regulatory issues. Brandon Butler, Founder and CEO of Artisan Lab Network, received the 2026 Goodfellow Award during a special dinner. Prior to the main forum, the association hosted the annual Emerging Optical Leaders (EOL) Retreat, offering participants leadership workshops and networking at Red Rock Canyon. Michael Vitale, Vice President of Membership, Government Relations & Technical Affairs, stated that attendees would implement changes inspired by these gatherings. Sponsors included Coburn Technologies, Hoya Vision Care, and Shamir.
20/20 Europe and Jobson Optical Group celebrated the inaugural European edition of the “Most Influential Women in Optical” (MIWO) initiative during a luncheon at SILMO Paris on September 25, 2026. Originally launched in the United States by Vision Monday in 2003, the program recognized 26 women from across the European optical and eyewear industry. Honourees were acknowledged in five categories: Business Leaders, Mentors, Rising Stars, Founders, and Innovators. Lorraine Berton was among those honored for her leadership in the Italian optical industry and as the first woman to lead ANFAO. Approximately 160 guests attended the event, which brought together optical professionals, industry leaders, and sponsors including The Vision Council, READ ON, MIDO, and Go Eyewear Group.
The Vision Council concluded its sold-out 2026 Lab Leadership Forum, held September 16–18 at the M Resort Spa Casino in Henderson, Nevada. Over 200 optical laboratory leaders attended the three-day event, which featured panel discussions on lens design, equipment, and lab management systems, alongside networking activities including a golf tournament. During a special dinner, the organization presented the 2026 Goodfellow Award to Brandon Butler, Founder and CEO of Artisan Lab Network, recognizing his outstanding leadership and contributions to independent optical laboratories over his 25-year career. Additionally, The Vision Council hosted the 2026 Emerging Optical Leaders Retreat prior to the forum, offering participants leadership development workshops and networking opportunities at Red Rock Canyon.