NEW YORK—Last week, the optical community descended on New York City for Vision Expo East, the show’s final edition in the Big Apple before it heads to Orlando beginning in 2025. In addition to the thousands of ECPs, buyers, students and sellers, Vision Expo East 2024 showcased the second annual NOW Awards, over 450 exhibitors and more than 200 education sessions. As reported in VMAIL, Fran Pennella, vice president, Vision Expo at RX, said, “We could not be happier to close out our final show in New York City on such a high note.

“There’s no doubt that Vision Expo remains the premiere gathering for everything relating to the eye—a reputation that grows year by year and will only be compounded with the highly anticipated move to Orlando, Fla. Vision Expo delivers an unparalleled and multi-dimensional experience that no other industry event can replicate.”

As we set our sights on Las Vegas for Vision Expo West in September, and Orlando for 2025, let’s take a look back at how some Indies spent their last Vision Expo East in New York.

Angelica Cifuentes, OD, who practices in Miami, attended her first Vision Expo East this year. Image via tinyoptometrist on Instagram


Optician Sophia Pray, who practices in Carpentersville, Ill., made the most of her Expo experience. Image via foxysofa on Instagram


The team from CedarSEE Vision Center in Middletown, Del., enjoyed meeting fellow ECPs and the optical community. Image via cedarsee.visioncenter on Instagram


Julie McLaughlin, OD, Dipl. ABO, who practices in Allentown, Penn., was excited to see herself featured in OptiLIGHT and OptiPLUS ads at the Javits Center. Image via dr.julie_mclaughlin on Instagram


Faten Edris, OD, of Blinking Owl Eyecare in Florida, was especially interested in Nuance Audio, presented by EssilorLuxottica at the show. Image via blinkingowleyecare on Instagram


The Optyx New York team, with locations in New York, celebrated the launch of the Sergio Cereda Eyewear Design Award—as well as the announcement that the prize would be doubled to $10,000. (L to R) Jobson's Marc Ferrara, Jobson's James DeMatteis, ClearVision's David Friedfeld, Optyx's Harvey Ross, Optyx's Ingrid Dodd and 20/20 Magazine's Victoria Garcia. Image via optyxnewyork on Instagram


The Selima Optique team celebrated their “Eyewear, the Ultimate Accessory” Award presented by the Accessories Council. Image via selimaoptique on Instagram