With September underway, I’ve come to recognize this time of year as a series of hellos and goodbyes. As we move through the last vestiges of summer, perhaps sneaking in one last family trip or one more stroll on the beach, we look also toward autumn—one foot resting in summer, and the other taking a step toward fall. It is, for sure, a time of transition.

For the youngsters, this likely means saying goodbye to the warm days of summer, to pool swims and jumping waves in the ocean, and to friends made at camp, summer jobs or on vacation, while saying hello to school, classmates old and new, and the books that were supposed to be read over the summer. As grownups, the transition feels different, a bit rougher, perhaps, compared with the ease of summer. Heading back to work and back to business, we prepare for the bustle of fall, whether that’s a temperature check on budgets, forecasting for year-end, planning for the year to come, or all of the above.

Of course, this time of year for many of us also means a lively season of trade shows and travel, and here at the office, the team is talking in earnest about upcoming events on the radar, including Vision Expo West in Las Vegas, Silmo in Paris, and local happenings in New York City and the region. The halls are filled with the ubiquitous who-is-going-where conversations as we plan the next few months of travel for the year, as well as map out the remaining print issues (and the Vision Expo Dailies) that will keep us and you, our readers, informed of current news and happenings as we close out 2024.

With that in mind, the September issue of VM, which will also be available at Expo West, is chock full of exciting information. Our feature in this month’s issue homes in on smart eyewear, including current developments, new ideas, and combinations focused on the next generation and what is coming around the corner, and also includes unique profiles of smart eyewear’s latest products. In addition, we have the regular sections that readers enjoy, including the Independent Eye, Going Green and a preview of what to expect at Vision Expo West.

As the fall gets underway, whether the next few months mean travel, trade shows, or budget development, we hope you find yourself, eventually, with both feet planted in this exciting season.

acooper@jobson.com