2008 International Vision Expo West Product Preview

SIGHTSEEING: An Optical Walking Tour Las Vegas

Strap on your walking shoes and head on down The Strip (aka Las Vegas Boulevard) to check out the wealth of super-high-end, unique optical shops.

■ W.ink: Located in the Wynn Hotel, this ultra-high-end shop stocks the crème de la crème of eyewear, including eclectic pieces from around the world. The shop also carries a selection of fine writing instruments.

3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 702-770-3583

■ Davante: Now owned and operated by Luxury Optical Holdings (LOH), this optical shop stocks a particularly unusual mix of styles. Davante is located in the Forum Shops at Caesars, along with sister store Davante Sun.

3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 702-737-8585

SIGHTSEEING: FREMONT STREET

■ Dolce Due: This LOH-owned luxury Italian eyewear shop in The Venetian's Grand Canal Shoppes features the latest trends from over 70 of the world's top eyewear lines.

3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 702-733-1355

■ Occhiali da Sole and Lunettes: Check out two unique purveyors of eyewear at The Fashion Show Mall. Located on the lower level, Occhiali da Sole is a sunglass specialty boutique with a high-end assortment. Lunettes, also operated by LOH, focuses on high-end eyewear offerings.

3200 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 702-735-8557 (Occhiali da Sole) or 702-733-7624 (Lunettes)

■ Optica: Another piece of the LOH stronghold of optical stores in Las Vegas, Optica carries an unexpected mix of international brands along with handmade and customized frames. The shop is located in Mandalay Bay's Mandalay Place.

3930 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 702-798-6171

SIGHTSEEING: THE LAS VEGAS MONORAIL

FREE FUN

Whether you're strolling the Strip looking for things to do or trying to experience Vegas on the cheap, there is a full deck of free attractions to sate your appetite.

In this town of high rollers, sold-out shows, and celebrity chef dining, it's hard to imagine that anything but the air we breathe is free of charge.

Not true.

Las Vegas actually serves up a full plate of complimentary events and shows that appeal to all ages, from up-close-and-personal lion habitats to fountain displays set to opera.

Here, some picks for things to do that will keep your senses enlivened and your budget intact.

ON WITH THE SHOW

■ Fremont Street Experience: The famous, casino-lined Fremont Street has been converted into a massive pedestrian area covered by a continuous canopy studded with more than 14 million lights. It is the canopy itself that delivers the show here; sound-and-light extravaganzas like "American Pie" and "Queen Tribute" pulse through the canopy and the 550,000-watt sound system here throughout the evening.

425 Fremont St.
Phone 800-249-3559

■ Forum Shops at Caesars Palace: Mall-goers will be delighted with both window shopping and Romanesque shows at the high-end, 160-store Forum Shops. The Lost City of Atlantis show features a new 50,000-gallon saltwater aquarium, in which the mythical sunken continent rises and falls before your eyes. Dive feeds occur daily at 1:15 p.m. and 5:15 p.m., while below-the-scenes tours of the aquarium facilities are offered Monday through Friday at 3:15 p.m. For a quick fix, check out the Festival Fountain Show, a seven-minute special effects spectacular hourly from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.

3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 800-634-6661

SIGHTSEEING: LAUGHLIN

■ Masquerade Show in the Sky: Take a short sojourn off the strip to the luxe Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casino to witness the new-and-improved Show in the Sky, which boasts state-of-the-art floats, suspended from the ceiling, that parade above the casino floor. Dynamic music is orchestrated with dance; performers are clad in exotic masks and brilliant costumes. The show is free; visitors can also take a journey aboard a float for $12.95. Sky shows are hourly from 3 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. daily.

3700 W. Flamingo Road
Phone: 888-746-7482

■ Volcano at the Mirage: Spewing smoke and fire 100 feet above the water, this world-famous spectacular erupts in a tranquil lagoon filled with waterfalls and palm trees every 15 minutes from dusk to midnight. This attraction has been under renovation and is slated to reopen this fall.

3400 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 800-627-6667

SIGHTSEEING: LAS VEGAS STRIP

■ Sirens of TI: Nightly passersby can catch the "Sirens of TI" at Treasure Island, where seductive sirens battle a band of renegade male pirates in a pyrotechnic war. The show runs nightly at 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 10 p.m., and 11:30 p.m. in Sirens' Cove at the front entrance of Treasure Island Hotel and Casino.

3300 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 800-944-7444

■ Fountains of Bellagio: Discover a truly romantic Italian attraction at the world-famous Fountains of Bellagio, located on an eight-acre lake in front of the hotel and casino. The movements of 1,000 vaulting water fountains are carefully choreographed with light and music. Weekend show times are every half hour from noon to 8 p.m. and every 15 minutes from 8 p.m. to midnight.

3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 888-987-6667

■ Streetmosphere at the Venetian: Head on into the Venetian to check out the Streetmosphere shows. Mimes, opera singers, living statues, and street performers entertain throughout the Grand Canal Shoppes. Visitors can also check out the canal-cruising gondolas.

3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 800-851-1703

SIGHTSEEING: LAS VEGAS SPRINGS PRESERVE

THE WILD SIDE

■ Flamingo Wildlife Habitat: The Flamingo resort is home to a flock of Chilean Flamingos, which populate the Wildlife Habitat along with swans, ducks, Koi, and turtles. The animals are carefully tended to by a staff of experts and live on islands and streams surrounded by waterfalls and lush foliage.

3555 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 800-221-7299

■ Lion Habitat: The MGM Grand Hotel and Casino's lion habitat boasts 35-foot glass walls for optimal viewing conditions of a variety of African lions. While the lions live on an 8.5-acre ranch located 12 miles from the MGM Grand, they visit the habitat daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Phone: 800-929-1111

1 Airclip's patented "Sun-Lovers Series" clip-on is its latest product offering. The "Sun-Lovers Series" has no rim, no wire bar, and no prongs and has been engineered to firmly clip onto the frame. A production kit allows for quick, on-site clip creation. Airclip: 905-943-9933 www.airclip.com 2 Alain Mikli has launched a new collection, the Vanessa and Medhi line, out of the Studio Mikli as part of its studiomikli line. Based on the technical problem of blending a frame with the face while overcoming the defects of facial asymmetry, the enables a custom-made tilt in unexpected shapes. Alain Mikli: 800-829-8032, www.mikli.com Booth 17063 3 Aoyama Optical USA, Inc., will be showcasing its newest eyewear and sunwear releases at Vision Expo West and offering exciting show specials to buyers visiting the booth. Aoyama will be displaying its Bed Head, Shiseido, Kansai, Mozaic, New York Diary, Full Flex, Occhiali Fitche, and LEGO Optical for Kids collections. Aoyama Optical USA, Inc.: 800-877-2020, www.aoyamausa.com Booth: 9109 4 Bates Display is introducing the "i Dazzler," the first and only removable enhancer for all frames. Available in three styles with multiple color options, this high-volume fashion accessory will increase sales. A point-of-purchase display is supplied. Bates Display & Packaging: 800-824-3114, www.batesdisplay.com Booth 9067 5 Best Image Optical presents the latest from its original collection, Dolabany Eyewear. Consisting of both metal and zyl frames, the models offer a combination of classic designs and rich coloring that makes this collection trendy and the ideal choice for every occasion. Shown here, style Moscow. Best Image Optical: 800-688-7661, www.bestimageoptical.com Booth: 9067 6 Bright Display announces the newest addition to its product line—showcases. The showcases have been designed to provide eyecare professionals with an affordable, attractive display solution that also provides proper lighting for eyewear. Available in a variety of veneers, these showcases can coordinate with all décors. Bright Display: 800-777-0734, www.brightdisplay.com Booth: 9046 7 Cinzia Designs will present two distinct lines of readers and sunwear: Cinzia, a high-end, sophisticated collection, and Trendies, a fun line meant to be accessible to all stylish consumers. Cinzia complements its readers and sunglass collections with coordinating Zia's, eyewear necklaces that are unique pieces of handmade, wearable art. Cinzia Designs: 800-701-6765 www.cinziadesigns.com Booth: G19025 8 To celebrate Costa Del Mar's 25th anniversary, it is introducing its latest evolution in polarized performance sunwear—the Costa 580™ silver mirror lens. The lens provides higher light transmission, unmatched definition, and color saturation for outdoor adventures in variable light environments. A show special involves free sunglasses and a backpack. Costa Del Mar: 800-447-3700 www.costadelmar.com Booth: 18107 9 Eastern States Eyewear will be introducing a bevy of new sunwear and ophthalmic styles in its Cazal, Police, Jaguar, Diva, Exces, and Thierry Mugler collections. The collections offer something for everyone, from stylish glamour to cutting-edge design, at a variety of pricepoints. Eastern States Eyewear: 800-645-3710 www.eseyewear.com Booth: 15025 10 Ennco Display Systems will be showcasing its new LumaWall, a display standing 83" tall backed by fluorescent lights to give it that attention-getting glow. You can choose standard white lighting or go hip with colored lights. Several finishes and a variety of rods, from metals to acrylics, are available. Ennco Display Systems, Inc.: 800-833-6626 www.ennco.com Booth: 9074 11 Eye Designs is displaying The Wave™ 360° rotating frame holder, the latest addition to The Wave line of frame holders, which allows frames to be displayed from varying angles (90°, 180°, and 360°) and can highlight the full frame view, partial temple view, or full temple view. The locking holder is offered with an optional sign attachment. Eye Designs: 800-346-8890 www.eyedesigns.com Booth: 12075 12 The new Bloom collection from Face a Face offers a two-tone acetate front designed and sculpted like a butterfly, giving all the styles a glamorous and charming retro look. The sculptural effect is obtained through 3-D milling followed by a careful hand polishing process. The collection also features a hidden spring hinge and two-tone color range. Face a Face: + 33 1 56 33 34 43, www.faceaface-paris.com Booth: Suite 13 First Insight is unveiling its maximEyes practice management and electronic medical records software. Through maximEyes, ECPs can submit regulatory-compliant e-prescriptions to pharmacies; use its 3-D Precision Draw to capture anterior/posterior segment data and illustrate health concerns; generate a playlist of educational videos based on diagnosis codes; and download/import ERA. First Insight Corporation: 800-920-1940, www.first-insight.com Booth: MS7075 14 The fall collections of the Baldinini, Alviero Martini, Kiton, and Mariella Burani eyewear lines will be shown by their exclusive U.S. distributor, Grant Italia. The design house Baldinini has recently added eyewear to its line of bags, accessories, shoes, and outwear, and the entire collection will be waiting for Expo buyers to see. Grant Italia: 800-828-0060, www.grantitalia.com Booth: G18012 15 Kimiko, Ltd. has extended its line to include the much-anticipated Photo Frame. Using patented graphic technology, images can be vividly printed on a frame's temples. Customers can now show off their favorite images or photographs on any frame. There is no inventory or equipment necessary; ECPs just send the image and frame to Kimiko to be printed. Kimiko, Ltd.: 718-368-9111 www.kimikoeyewear.com 16 Columbia Eyewear from L'Amy America has introduced 14 models offering UV protection and a value-conscious price point. The new Columbia sunglass collection features Eliminator™ polarized lens technology with 100 percent glare elimination and UV blockage, superior visual clarity, and zero moisture absorption. A program with Carl Zeiss Vision Sunlens provides a unique Rx option in wrap styles. L'Amy: 800-243-6350 www.lamyamerica.com Booth: 14046 17 Liberty Sport announces Trailblazer, its second style to utilize MagTraxion Technology™. It is a 6-base rectangle shape available as either a frame or goggle. The removable MagTraxion magnetic eyecup helps protect the eyes from wind and dust, and allows the wearer to go—in a snap—from fashion sunglass to high-performance sun protection. Liberty Sport: 800-444-5010 www.libertysport.com Booth: 16055 18 Live Eyewear will have lots to offer at its booth, including free dry erase boards for all visitors and a celebration of the new Cocoons website (www.cocoonseyewear.com). The Cocoons collection has been redesigned for 2008, with upgraded looks and features. There will also be information on the new OveRx Authenticity program and the new Low Vision Cocoons. Live Eyewear: 800-834-2563, www.liveeyewear.com Booth: 19051 19 The McGee Group announces the launch of Sally Hansen Eyewear. The 18-piece collection for women is feminine, with contemporary eye shapes and acetate, metal, and combination styles in a selection of colors and temple embellishments. Each wholesales for $52.95 and comes with a case, lens cloth, and bottle of Sally Hansen nail polish. McGee Group: 800-966-2020, www.mcgeegroup.com Booth: 9041 20 Match Eyewear will be featuring several new "eye popping" eyewear and sunwear releases in its booth (shown here is Helium Paris style HE 9001). Match customers will also receive $25 dinner vouchers and electronic show specials with qualifying orders from Aero, Helium Paris, Float Milan, Float Kids, and Match Eyewear collections. Match Eyewear: 877-88MATCH www.floateyewear.com 21 Eagle Eyewear has launched a new collection for John Lennon Eyewear called JL Lifestyles. Distributed by Ocean Optical, JL Lifestyles has models designed specifically for the modern man and artistic woman. Unisex styling is not what this collection is about. All feature the trademark John Lennon Self Portrait Image Plaque of Authenticity. Ocean Optical Co.: 800-248-1107 www.oceanoptical.net 22 OWP USA's newest frame provides something special for customers who love glamour, flowers, and exceptional frames. Model 1678 is an extremely light stainless steel frame with an elegant overlapping of the lens and front. A combination of the newest coloring techniques and materials create inner and outer contrasting tones such as turquoise-plum, bordeaux-pink, and chestnut-caramel. OWP USA: 508-898-2816, www.owp.de Booth: G21041 23 Viva International Group announces the release of five new styles from the GANT Eyewear collection. These new models feature subtle logo detailing and rich color combinations. As an example, color-striations adorn the handmade temples of GW Felisia, from the women's collection, while a sporty single stripe details the handmade temples of G Seagram, from the men's collection. Viva International Group: 800-345-VIVA, www.vivagroup.com Booth: 12063 24 The Wiggles Eyewear Collection hits the stage at the Walman Optical booth. Wiggles are known around the world as children's entertainers, with songs and music that have delighted children for more than 17 years. The Wiggles and all their Wiggly friends now come to life in a very special eyewear collection distributed exclusively by Walman Optical. Walman Optical: 800-873-9256 , www.walman.com Booth: 6035 25 Younger Optics announces that Drivewear® Activated by Transitions® lenses are now available in polycarbonate Image® progressive. With one of the widest distortion-free distance zones in the industry—a key advantage for the driving task—IMAGE Drivewear adjusts to changing lighting conditions while providing excellent viewing at near, far, and intermediate distances. Younger Optics: 800-366-5367, www.drivewearlens.com Booth: 17017 26 Show attendees are invited to visit the Zyloware booth for special Vision Expo West offers. A special show-only discount will be given to orders placed at the show. In addition, Zyloware is offering complimentary gifts-with-purchase, such as leather bags, women's accessories, handbags, and hoodies on top brands such as Randy Jackson, Via Spiga, and Sophia Loren. Zyloware: 800-765-3700, www.zyloware.com Booth: 15031