March 21, 2024 — Vision Expo East 2024 wrapped up nearly 40 years at the Javits Center in New York City with three days of education, networking, presentations, and design, gathering more than 450 exhibitors and thousands of professionals from all corners of the industry.
The Now Pavilion hosted a curated selection of on-trend eyewear from more than 200 exhibitors across several categories including NYC nostalgia, sustainability, and Peach Fuzz—the 2024 Pantone Color of the Year. The second annual Now Awards honored nine designs featured in the display:
- Best Optical Style of 2024 by a Licensed brand: Swarovski by EssilorLuxottica
- Best Optical Style of 2024 by an Independent brand: Pussy Galore by Spectacle Eyeworks
- Best Sunglass Style of 2024 by a Licensed brand: Longchamp by Marchon
- Best Sunglass Style of 2024 by an Independent brand: Nina Mur
- Best Sustainable Style of 2024: 3D by Modo
- New Emerging Brand / Designer: Lapima
- “Eyewear, the Ultimate Accessory” Award, presented by the Accessories Council: Selima Optique
- Optical Lifetime Achievement Award: Zyloware, Chris Shyer and Jamie Shyer
- People’s Choice Award: The Sha, SH5 by Vysen
Click here to tune into the awards ceremony, and click here for all Eyecare Business’s coverage of Vision Expo East 2024.
Special appearances throughout the event included Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Sophie B. Hawkins, NBA star and Oakley athlete J.R. Smith at the EssilorLuxottica booth, rapper Jim Jones at Vintage Frames Co., and jazz musician Marquis Hill at Europa.
“The incredible energy at this year’s Vision Expo East is a clear signal of the eyecare and eyewear industry’s optimistic outlook about what’s ahead,” says Mitch Barkley, vice president, trade shows and meetings, The Vision Council. “We’ve also heard from so many attendees about their plans for Vision Expo West…and their excitement for Vision Expo East’s new home.”
Vision Expo West 2024 is set to take place Sept. 18-21 at the Venetian Convention & Expo Center in Las Vegas. Vision Expo East 2025 will begin its new era in Orlando, FL, Feb. 19-22, 2025, at the Orange County Convention Center.