Since it’s Expo time, we here at VMail Weekend thought it might be fun to see what kind of good/bad/funny/memorable experiences attendees have had while in Vegas for Vision Expo. For a lot of attendees, having contact with their colleagues made the top of the list—always a real accomplishment considering our digital world. Let’s face it, Vegas as a backdrop to Expo sometimes has an air of suspended reality, given the casinos, shows, restaurants and colorful characters. Here a few stories we thought you might enjoy.
Mark Yacko
Jobson Optical Group
It was the worst of times, it was the best of times for Mark Yacko, who works in Jobson’s IT department. For the past two years, he’s made the trek out to Vegas to set up the press room for the Show Dailies and the Jobson Booth. Last year while in Vegas for Expo, Mark was in Harrah’s cashing out a small voucher when someone brushed past him and stole his wallet with a few hundred dollars inside. This year, on his return trip to Vegas, he walked into Caesar’s Hotel put $10 into a machine and hit for $1,000 big bucks all on his first try. Proof that what goes around, comes around. Viva Las Vegas!
David P. Eichelberger
North American Vision Associates
“For me it happens every year. After 43 years in this industry and an extended family (father, brother, brother-in-law and two sons) who have a combined 150-plus years in the optical industry my favorite memory of each Vision Expo is the people. Seeing them, speaking to them, reminiscing! At the same time, I regret not having enough time with each one of those people to spend more time talking. And not seeing everyone I would like to see. It is a beautiful industry that has provided for me and my family for a long time. It is really about the people and Vision Expo is PEOPLE!”
Joe Bowen
Vision Monday
“Love Is All You Need. In addition to being a fan of the theater, I’m also a huge fan of the Beatles. So when I learned that the Montreal-based Cirque du Soleil had mounted a show that combines their signature spectacle with the timeless music of the Beatles, it was a no-brainer which show I was going to see the next time I was in Las Vegas. The Beatles LOVE is a show that speaks with its spectacle as well as the message of the songs that are featured. A must-see. Even if you didn’t grow up with the Beatles.”
De Rigo REM's Gilda Mehraban, Donna Gindy,
Jessica Goebert and Nico Roseillier.
De Rigo REM
“One of the most memorable experiences for us at Vision Expo West was last year, which marked our first showcase under De Rigo REM following De Rigo’s acquisition of REM Eyewear in June 2016 which created the largest family-owned eyewear supplier in the world. Introducing the new De Rigo REM, the show provided an important platform for us to educate our customers on the extensive network of benefits the acquisition provided as well as give them a sneak peek at the new De Rigo product launches across an elevated portfolio of luxury, fashion and lifestyle brands.
To celebrate this milestone, we unveiled an updated booth design bearing the new logo for De Rigo REM and hosted an intimate ‘Carnevale’ themed party (a tradition celebrated in both Italian and American culture) at LAVO in the Venetian Hotel inviting key press, customers and company executives to toast to the company’s new future.”
Yachal Mom
Mad in Italy eyewear
“This is my second time to Las Vegas for Vision Expo West. It’s a 12-hour flight from Italy, and I first flew from Venice to Zurich and then from Zurich direct to Las Vegas. By the time you leave home and get here, it’s almost a full day of traveling and a long trip. It would be a better idea to come in [a day early] but with the tight schedule that we have, and so many fairs and sales meetings at the beginning of the season, it’s almost impossible to take an extra day to travel. Basically I got here Wednesday night and then immediately was here [at Expo] on Thursday morning to set up. And then last night I was awake at 2 a.m. because that is my usual wake-up time. But it’s all part of the job.
Next up is a local show in Florence, on Saturday and Sunday, for the Italian independent opticians, and then we’re off to Kuwait to visit our sales partner, and then Silmo in Paris. I am leaving Las Vegas Sunday evening, and I hope to have time to do something fun if I’m not too tired to actually do it. But that’s the thing: even if you have some time you are probably so tired from standing on high heels for three days that you don’t want to be walking anywhere. But, I’m sure I will find some time to see something here [in Las Vegas] other than eyewear.”
Brittany Wesely
Altair Eyewear
“There’s something so energizing about being at the show. The place just has a pulse to it and is chock-full of inspiration. It’s my first Vision Expo, and it completely reaffirmed my love for this industry. These are my people. This is where I belong.”